Clinical trial NCT02737826
Conditions: Chronic Pain Opioid Pain Medication
Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina
Start date: 2016-05-01; Completion date: 2021-01-13
Enrollment: 32 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
Chronic opioid therapy for pain can be associated with significant risks, and a significant number of patients maintained on chronic opioids have continued pain and/or poor functioning. When patients need to or want to come off their opioid pain medications, there is little to guide physicians as to how to best help them do so, and it is not known how patients do after coming off opioid medications. The goals of this study are (1) to evaluate two medications in assisting patients in coming off their opioid pain medications and (2) determining outcomes after discontinuing opioids.

Detailed description:

Arms: arm 1: In Phase I, we will determine buprenorphine tolerability using a one-day outpatient buprenorphine initiation protocol up to 16mg sublingually over an up to 8 hour induction window. "Buprenorphine tolerability" will be defined as pain level ≤ to baseline, withdrawal measures ≤ to baseline, and willingness to continue with taper. arm 2: Subjects who tolerate sublingual buprenorphine initiation in Phase I will proceed to Phase II, which will involve randomization to gabapentin or placebo, 2 week stabilization period, and up to 8 week buprenorphine tapering period. Those randomized to gabapentin will receive up to 1600mg oral gabapentin (double blinded) divided three times daily, titrated over the 2 week stabilization period and continued during the buprenorphine tapering period. During the 2 week stabilization period, buprenorphine will also be titrated up to 24mg as needed/tolerated. arm 3: Subjects who tolerate sublingual buprenorphine initiation in Phase I will proceed to Phase II, which will involve randomization to gabapentin or placebo, 2 week stabilization period, and up to 8 week buprenorphine tapering period. Those randomized to placebo will receive up to 1600mg oral placebo (double blinded) divided three times daily, titrated over the 2 week stabilization period and continued during the buprenorphine tapering period. During the 2 week stabilization period, buprenorphine will also be titrated up to 24mg as needed/tolerated. arm 4: After a 2 week stabilization period where sublingual buprenorphine is titrated up to 24 mg/day and oral gabapentin/placebo is titrated up to 1600mg/day, subjects will enter a buprenorphine tapering period lasting up to 8 weeks. The suggested buprenorphine taper will be determined by stabilizing dose, but able to be altered by prescriber or participant based on symptoms.
Interventions: intervention 1: Buprenorphine Initiation - Phase I intervention 2: Gabapentin + Buprenorphine - Phase II intervention 3: Placebo + Buprenorphine - Phase II intervention 4: Buprenorphine taper - Phase II
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: In Phase I, we will determine buprenorphine tolerability using a one-day outpatient buprenorphine initiation protocol up to 16mg sublingually over an 8 hour induction window. intervention 2: Subjects who tolerate sublingual buprenorphine initiation in Phase I will proceed to Phase II, which will involve randomization to oral gabapentin or placebo, 2 week stabilization period, and up to 8 week buprenorphine tapering period. Those randomized to gabapentin will receive up to 1600mg gabapentin (double blinded) divided three times daily, titrated over the 2 week stabilization period and continued during the buprenorphine tapering period. During the 2 week stabilization period, buprenorphine will also be titrated up to 24mg as needed/tolerated. intervention 3: Subjects who tolerate sublingual buprenorphine initiation in Phase I will proceed to Phase II, which will involve randomization to oral gabapentin or placebo, 2 week stabilization period, and up to 8 week buprenorphine tapering period. Those randomized to placebo will receive up to 1600mg placebo (double blinded) divided three times daily, titrated over the 2 week stabilization period and continued during the buprenorphine tapering period. During the 2 week stabilization period, buprenorphine will also be titrated up to 24mg as needed/tolerated. intervention 4: After a 2 week stabilization period where sublingual buprenorphine is titrated up to 24 mg/day and oral gabapentin/placebo is titrated up to 1600mg/day, subjects will enter a buprenorphine tapering period lasting up to 8 weeks. The suggested buprenorphine taper will be determined by stabilizing dose, but able to be altered by prescriber or participant based on symptoms.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pro00046473 
Discontinuation From Chronic Opioid Therapy For Pain Using a Buprenorphine Taper 
Protocol v14 
NCT02737826 
Protocol v14 
Last IRB Review: 06/25/2018 
 


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Table of Contents 
1.0 Study Synopsis and Schema ....................................................................................................................................... 4 
1.1 Study Objectives ........................................................................................................................................................... 4 
1.2 Study Design .................................................................................................................................................................. 4 
1.3 Study Population ........................................................................................................................................................... 5 
2.0 Introduction and Specific Aims .................................................................................................................................... 6 
2.1 Background ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 
3.0 Study Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................ 9 
4.0 Study Design .................................................................................................................................................................. 9 
4.1 Overview of Study Design ............................................................................................................................................. 9 
4.2 Prescreening and Consent ............................................................................................................................................ 9 
4.3 Screening and Baseline Assessments ............................................................................................................................ 9 
4.4 Buprenorphine Initiation............................................................................................................................................. 10 
4.5 Randomization and Blind Maintenance Procedures .................................................................................................. 11 
4.6 Buprenorphine stabilization and gabapentin induction (2 weeks) ............................................................................. 11 
4.7 Buprenorphine Tapering Phase (8 weeks) .................................................................................................................. 12 
4.7 Gabapentin taper ........................................................................................................................................................ 12 
4.8 Follow-up Visits ........................................................................................................................................................... 13 
4.9 Termination ................................................................................................................................................................. 13 
4.10 Duration of study and visit schedule ........................................................................................................................ 13 
4.11 Data Collection .......................................................................................................................................................... 13 
5.0 Study Population .......................................................................................................................................................... 14 
5.1 Subject Recruitment ................................................................................................................................................... 14 
5.2 Eligibility Criteria ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 
6.0 Study Drug Management............................................................................................................................................ 14 
6.1 Dosing During Taper .................................................................................................................................................... 14 
6.2 Dispensing of Study Medication ................................................................................................................................. 15 
6.3 Drug Packaging/Handling/Storage/Accountability ..................................................................................................... 15 
6.4 Training Procedures .................................................................................................................................................... 15 
7.0 Concomitant Therapy .................................................................................................................................................. 15 
7.1 General Considerations ............................................................................................................................................... 15 
8.0 Outcome Measures ..................................................................................................................................................... 16 
8.1 Primary Outcome Measures – Aim 1 .......................................................................................................................... 16 
8.2 Primary Outcome Measures – Aim 2 .......................................................................................................................... 16 
8.3 Secondary Outcome Measures ................................................................................................................................... 16 


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9.1 Study Timetable .......................................................................................................................................................... 18 
9.2 Laboratory Tests (e.g., Pregnancy Test, CMP, genetic test) ....................................................................................... 19 
9.3 Clinical Assessments (e.g. Medical History and Physical/Psychiatric Exam) ............................................................... 20 
9.4 Efficacy Assessments ................................................................................................................................................... 20 
9.5 Safety Assessments ..................................................................................................................................................... 21 
9.6 Blinding Assessment ................................................................................................................................................... 22 
9.7 Pain and Other Assessments ....................................................................................................................................... 22 
9.8 Treatment Compliance ............................................................................................................................................... 23 
9.9 Common Assessment Battery (CAB) ........................................................................................................................... 23 
10.0 Statistical Analysis ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 
10.1 Statistical analysis ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 
10.2 Power and Sample Size ............................................................................................................................................. 24 
11.0 Protection of Human Subjects and Data Safety Monitoring Plan ...................................................................... 25 
11.1 Inclusion of Women and Minorities.......................................................................................................................... 25 
11.2 Quality Assurance ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 
11.3 Trial Safety and Reporting of SAEs ............................................................................................................................ 25 
11.4 Potential risks for participants .................................................................................................................................. 26 
11.5 Risk mitigation plan, management of SAE and other study risks ............................................................................. 27 
11.6 Potential Benefits of the Proposed Research to Human Subjects and Others ......................................................... 29 
11.7 Trial Stopping Rules ................................................................................................................................................... 29 
11.8 Conflict of Interest .................................................................................................................................................... 29 
11.9 Data and Safety Monitoring Plan Administration ..................................................................................................... 30 
 
 
 
 


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1.0 Study Synopsis and Schema 
1.1 Study Objectives 
The primary objective of this proposal is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of buprenorphine-assisted 
discontinuation from chronic opioid therapy for pain (COT-P) and to determine the role of gabapentin, an N-
type calcium channel blocker, as an adjunctive agent to assist with opioid cessation. Secondary objectives are 
to identify patient characteristics (biological, psychological, and pharmacological) that predict (1) successful 
transition to buprenorphine, (2) successful buprenorphine taper, and (3) opioid cessation. 
The central hypothesis of this study is that COT-P patients undergoing a buprenorphine taper with adjunctive 
gabapentin will have higher rates of opioid cessation when compared with those on buprenorphine/placebo.  
Secondary hypotheses are that patients will have decreased pain after buprenorphine initiation, and that those 
on adjunctive gabapentin will have lower withdrawal and pain scores when compared with placebo.  
1.2 Study Design 
This study will be conducted over four years to evaluate buprenorphine-
assisted opioid taper in 150 individuals on COT-P who are (1) seeking 
assistance with opioid cessation and (2) willing to attempt 
buprenorphine-assisted taper.  Because the fundamental question of 
how COT-P patients tolerate buprenorphine initiation is unanswered, 
we have divided this pilot proposal into two aims.   
1.2.1 Aim 1 
1.2.1.1 Research Questions - Aim 1 
The primary research question for Aim 1 is, “What is the base rate of 
COT-P patients who can transition to buprenorphine?” The secondary 
research question is, “Which patient characteristics (biological, 
psychological, and pharmacological) predict successful transition to 
buprenorphine?” 
1.2.1.2 Hypothesis Aim 1  
Aim 1 Main Hypothesis:  It is expected 50% of the subjects transitioned 
to buprenorphine will tolerate buprenorphine. 
1.2.1.3 Primary Outcome Measures – Aim 1 
For Aim 1, the primary outcome measure is the percentage of 
patients who tolerate buprenorphine initiation within an 8-hour 
initiation period, as evidenced by (1) moderate-good level of pain 
control (same or improved rating on a 0-10 visual analogue scale for pain), (2) mild to no withdrawal symptoms 
(≤10 on the Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale), and (3) willingness to continue to the stabilization and tapering 
phase of the study. 
1.2.2 Aim 2 
1.2.2.1 Research Questions – Aim 2 
Aim 2 will involve preliminary evaluation of buprenorphine tapering and opioid discontinuation for those on 
COT-P as well as the efficacy of gabapentin in assisting with discontinuation. The primary research questions 
for Aim 2 are: “What is the base rate of successful taper from buprenorphine?” and “What is the efficacy of 
gabapentin in improving completion outcomes during buprenorphine taper?”  The secondary research 
questions are “Do subjects have more/less pain after transition and taper from buprenorphine?” and “Which 


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patient characteristics (biological, psychological, and pharmacological) predict successful taper from 
buprenorphine?” 
1.2.2.2 Hypothesis – Aim 2 
The primary hypothesis of Aim 2 is that COT-P patients undergoing a buprenorphine taper with adjunctive 
gabapentin will have higher rates of opioid cessation when compared with those on buprenorphine/ placebo.  
Secondary hypotheses are that patients will have decreased pain after buprenorphine initiation and that those 
on adjunctive gabapentin will have lower withdrawal and pain scores when compared with placebo. 
1.2.2.3 Primary Outcome Measures – Aim 2 
For Aim 2, the primary outcome measure will be opioid cessation at 8 weeks, measured through self-report, 
prescription drug monitoring data, and confirmatory UDS for a full panel of opioids. 
1.2.3 Study Design Aims 1 and 2 
During the screening/baseline phase, all subjects will be assessed to determine eligibility.  These assessments 
may occur over one or more visits and include medical exams, mental health and pain assessments, collection 
of biological specimens and opioid withdrawal assessments.  
Following the screening/baseline procedures, a 1-day induction visit will be conducted during which subjects 
will receive an initial 4mg dose of buprenorphine and will be observed. The observation periods will include 
assessment of opioid withdrawal symptoms and pain. Additional doses of buprenorphine will be administered 
as clinically indicated up to a cumulative dose of up to 16mg. If the subject does not tolerate buprenorphine 
after 16mg, they will be transitioned back to the prescribing physician. If the subject tolerates the 
buprenorphine and agrees to continue with the study, they will move into the stabilization/tapering phase of the 
study (Phase II). 
The stabilization/tapering phase of the study will begin with a 2 week stabilization phase during which subjects 
will be randomized to receive either gabapentin or placebo titration in conjunction with the buprenorphine. 
Doses will continue to be closely monitored and adjusted as clinically indicated to determine the stabilizing 
dose of buprenorphine and the appropriately titrated dose of gabapentin/placebo. Subjects will attend weekly 
study visits and study staff will conduct additional phone visits as needed.  
Following the stabilization phase, subjects will begin the tapering phase of the study. The dose of 
buprenorphine will be tapered over a period of 8 weeks to 0mg, during which subjects will continue to take 
gabapentin or placebo. Once the buprenorphine dose has been tapered to 0mg, subjects will go through a 1 
week taper of the gabapentin/placebo. Subjects will continue to attend weekly study visits throughout the 
tapering phase and additional phone visits will be conducted as needed throughout the study. 
The final phase of the study is the follow-up phase. Subjects will be monitored for opioid cessation which will 
be measured at 1, 3, 6, and 12-months post-study discontinuation/completion.  
1.3 Study Population 
150 males and females who are treatment-seeking for opioid discontinuation will be recruited.  Subjects must 
be between 18 - 70 years of age, currently taking COT-P and voluntarily seeking opioid discontinuation. They 
must be willing to attempt buprenorphine-assisted opioid discontinuation and be randomized to gabapentin or 
placebo.  Subjects must also have a current physician who is actively prescribing COT-P and who will 
collaborate with the research team as the patient enters the study.  
Subjects must not have previous intolerance or allergy to buprenorphine or gabapentin and must not currently 
be treated with gabapentin,  carbamazepine, phenytoin, MAO-inhibitors, fentanyl or methadone.  Subjects 
must not currently use benzodiazepines, illicit drugs or certain sedating medications or QTc-prolonging 


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medications.  Subjects must not meet DSM-V criteria for substance use disorder or have a concurrent medical 
or psychiatric condition that, in the study team’s opinion, would preclude safe or meaningful participation.   
2.0 Introduction and Specific Aims 
The United States is in the midst of a prescription drug overdose epidemic, and one of the main populations at 
risk are the 9 million individuals maintained on chronic opioid therapy for pain (COT-P).  While the benefits of 
COT-P continue to be debated, research indicates that a significant number of COT-P patients demonstrate 
improvement in pain and functional outcomes after opioid discontinuation. Reducing the number of individuals 
maintained unnecessarily on COT-P would significantly reduce the risk of developing opioid use disorders. 
Despite this, major barriers to opioid tapering exist (e.g., continued pain, fear of disabling withdrawal 
symptoms) and empirical evidence regarding optimal opioid discontinuation is critically needed. The overall 
goal of this study is to expand the evidence regarding opioid discontinuation when indicated for COT-P.  In the 
opioid addiction population, evidence suggests that buprenorphine-assisted opioid cessation is the preferred 
method of detoxification, and gabapentin has been shown to improve outcomes in buprenorphine-assisted 
opioid detoxification.  However, these interventions have not been well-studied in individuals on COT-P without 
addiction. The primary objectives of the current study are to: (1) evaluate the tolerability of buprenorphine 
initiation in patients on COT-P, (2) evaluate the efficacy of gabapentin up to 1600mg/day in improving 
outcomes for patients undergoing buprenorphine-assisted taper from COT-P using a placebo-controlled 
randomized design, and (3) identify potential predictors of opioid cessation. In order to accomplish this, we will 
conduct an intent-to-treat, double-blind, randomized controlled trial (8 weeks) of buprenorphine-assisted opioid 
discontinuation in 150 COT-P patients with an indication for opioid cessation. We will examine standardized, 
repeated dependent measures of clinical outcomes at pre-, mid- and post-treatment, as well as 1-, 3-, 6-, and 
12- month follow up. The following specific aims are proposed: 
Specific Aim 1: To determine the base rate of buprenorphine tolerability among COT-P subjects 
(N=150) with an indication for opioid cessation. 
We will determine buprenorphine tolerability among patients on COT-P using a one-day, outpatient medically-
supervised buprenorphine initiation protocol.  Relevant baseline factors will be measured to identify predictors 
of buprenorphine tolerability (e.g., gender, opioid dose/duration, pain measures/characteristics).  COT-P 
patients who tolerate buprenorphine initiation (defined by level of pain, opioid withdrawal, and willingness to 
continue with taper) will then proceed to Phase 2 (stabilization/tapering phase). 
Specific Aim 2: To compare the efficacy of the N-type calcium-channel blocker, gabapentin, versus 
placebo in improving treatment outcomes (i.e., pain, opioid cessation) during an 8-week 
buprenorphine-assisted taper from COT-P.  
After a 2-week stabilization period during which buprenorphine dose is stabilized and gabapentin or placebo is 
titrated, subjects will then complete a medically-supervised, 8-week buprenorphine taper.   We hypothesize 
that gabapentin will result in significantly higher rates of opioid cessation at the end of treatment, as well as 
improved measures of pain and functioning.  In addition, we hypothesize that patient pain phenotypes and 
opioid use characteristics at baseline will predict successful opioid cessation at 1-, 3-,  6- and 12-months post 
taper. 
The proposed project is directly responsive to the mission of the National Institute on Drug Abuse in that it 
seeks to evaluate preventative interventions to decrease the risk of abuse, addiction, and related mortality 
among a group of high-risk individuals. The findings from this study will answer critical questions regarding 
successful buprenorphine initiation, the utility of gabapentin in assisting with buprenorphine-assisted taper from 
COT-P, and elucidate possible predictors of treatment outcome.  Furthermore, the findings will provide effect 
size estimates to inform the submission of a larger, R01-series trial in the future.  We have assembled a 
multidisciplinary team of experts who have successfully collaborated in the past and are uniquely qualified to 
implement this type of investigation. The results are expected to have a positive impact by addressing a major 


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clinical need in the area of chronic pain management, ultimately leading to decreased risk of prescription opioid 
misuse, addiction and overdose in this population. 
2.1 Background 
2.1.1 Significance and Rationale 
A significant proportion of patients maintained on chronic opioid therapy for pain (COT-P) have 
suboptimal pain relief and/or poor functioning despite the appreciable risk of opioid treatment. 
Americans represent less than 5% of the world’s population, but consume 80% of the global opioid supply31 
with 9 million users of medical long-term opioid analgesics in the United States19.  The studies evaluating the 
effectiveness of opioid analgesic for chronic pain are mixed, with most studies reporting that less than half of 
patients experience a decrease in chronic pain with opioid analgesics and the degree of pain relief is modest20. 
Systematic reviews report that functional outcomes in COT-P are mixed with no conclusive evidence for 
improved physical, emotional or cognitive functioning in patients on COT-P21-26.  Even in the absence of 
addiction or misuse, physiologic tolerance to opioid analgesics is common27-29.  These factors, in combination 
with the alarming increase in the rates of accidental overdose on prescription opioids in the United States30, 
lead to a situation where many patients on COT-P become physiologically dependent on a medication from 
which they are gaining suboptimal benefits and possibly incurring harm.   
Opioid cessation is problematic and there are major gaps in clinical knowledge regarding how to 
manage individuals on COT-P who are in need of opioid cessation. In particular, questions remain with 
regard to optimal approaches to opioid discontinuation in COT-P patients and how opioid discontinuation 
affects pain and functional outcomes. Discontinuation of opioid therapy may be considered in patients who fail 
to experience adequate efficacy, experience improvement in the underlying pain condition (e.g. after surgery or 
other interventions), exhibit aberrant drug-related behaviors or addiction, and in patients who wish to 
discontinue therapy for other reasons (e.g., for work, patient preference).  Among patients who are functioning 
poorly on COT-P, decreasing or tapering the opioids would likely improve their functioning and decrease the 
risk of remaining on a medication with appreciable risks and limited benefit. However, opioid tapering for those 
on COT-P can cause disabling withdrawal symptoms in a substantial proportion of patients31-33.  The few 
studies evaluating opioid cessation in COT-P show dismal rates of both reduction and cessation of opioids with 
many returning to opioid use shortly after taper33-36. Treatment guidelines and tapering protocols vary widely 
among institutions and specialty societies37 and there has been little systematic investigation or progress 
towards optimizing tapering protocols, making it unclear which opioid tapering strategies are effective for which 
populations.  This project will begin to systematically address the gaps in this important area of clinical 
research. 
Buprenorphine is an agent well-suited to assist with opioid discontinuation because of its safety and 
efficacy, but questions remain regarding optimal length of taper.  Buprenorphine, a partial mu-opioid 
receptor agonist, produces a more limited withdrawal syndrome as compared to other full opioid agonists like 
methadone38-40, which may be related to its long plasma half-life and slow dissociation from the receptor38-42.  
Also, buprenorphine has a ceiling on its agonist effects that reduces risk of overdose, making it a good 
candidate for use in outpatient settings40-47.  Recent preliminary evidence confirms an advantage of 
buprenorphine over full agonists, like methadone, in detoxification settings48.  Longer buprenorphine tapers 
may be related to improved detoxification outcomes (consistent with methadone literature), but studies are 
highly variable in methodology and duration (ranging from 1-120 days), thus, investigations in COT-P patients 
applying more rigorous methodology are needed49.  Clinical pain rehabilitation programs that incorporate opioid 
discontinuation allow 3 - 8 weeks on average for taper50-51, therefore the proposed study will allow the 
maximum taper time used in current practice, up to 8 weeks based on stabilizing dose, for taper completion 
(Please see Approach section).   


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Preliminary studies show that buprenorphine initiation and taper is tolerated in approximately 50% of 
those on COT-P, which leaves room for significant improvement.  In a pilot study, Dr. Eric Strain (Co-
Mentor) and colleagues transitioned non-addicted COT-P patients to buprenorphine with the purpose of 
developing a protocol for the use of buprenorphine in this population52.  This pilot trial involved a small and 
diverse sample of patients (n=12) and found that 7 of 12 subjects (58%) on COT-P tolerated initial 
buprenorphine induction and of the 7, 42% responded favorably to buprenorphine taper.  Other trials 
evaluating the transition rate for those on COT-P to buprenorphine (in those with and without addiction) also 
show that approximately 50% tolerate transition from COT-P to buprenorphine (taking into account both side 
effects and efficacy)53. Based on these trials, it is recommendation to target COT-P candidates on total opioid 
baseline doses of >19mg and <200mg of oral morphine equivalents for transition to buprenorphine and to not 
use buprenorphine use in patients receiving methadone or transdermal fentanyl, and these recommendations 
are followed in the current protocol.   
Because COT-P patients who tolerate buprenorphine taper show a significant decrease in pain, 
patients and clinicians would benefit from an improved response rate to buprenorphine taper.  Data 
from our group and others have shown that even when indications for opioid discontinuation exist, patients’ 
fear of pain and withdrawal symptoms makes the decision to taper off COT-P daunting54.  Because those who 
tolerate buprenorphine initiation, taper and opioid cessation show a significant decrease in average and worst 
daily pain52, buprenorphine is a promising agent that can address the fears of pain and withdrawal in this 
population.  However, based the existing data above, clinicians only have an approximately 50% chance of 
identifying COT-P patients who would respond well to transitioning to buprenorphine, and less than 50% 
chance of identifying those able to tolerate taper.  Examining predictors of successful transition from COT-P to 
buprenorphine as well as ways improve the taper response rate (i.e. adjunctive medication) could have 
profound clinical implications in this population.    
Gabapentin is an ideal adjunctive agent to improve outcomes in those tapering off COT-P, as it is a 
safe and effective agent that can address both chronic pain and opioid withdrawal symptoms. 
Gabapentin, an N-type calcium channel blocker55-57 and GABA analogue that promotes release of GABA58-59 is 
indicated for treatment of neuralgia and epilepsy and used as an adjunctive agent to treat pain. Although it is 
most efficacious in treating neuropathic pain conditions60-61, it also has modest efficacy in a variety of pain 
etiologies, including nociceptive pain62-65, central pain66-67, post-operative pain64, mixed pain syndromes63, and 
central sensitization68. Gabapentin has also been shown to ameliorate opioid withdrawal symptoms during 
opioid detoxification, including in subjects undergoing buprenorphine tapers69.   Gabapentin is well-tolerated, 
relatively free from serious adverse effects, lacks interaction with other drugs, and lacks addictive potential60, 
which makes it an ideal adjunctive agent to evaluate during opioid detoxification.  Studies suggest that adjunct 
gabapentin administration of 1,600 mg/day during a methadone-assisted detoxification in those with opioid use 
disorders significantly reduced several opioid withdrawal symptoms70.  Because gabapentin has a proven 
safety and efficacy history in those with chronic pain and in those on opioids, including buprenorphine, it is an 
ideal adjunctive agent to study in this proposal.  Thus, Phase 2 of this study will evaluate the effects of 
gabapentin at up to 1,600 mg/day vs. placebo on completion of buprenorphine taper, opioid withdrawal 
symptoms and pain in those on COT-P undergoing a buprenorphine taper. 
2.1.2  Innovation 
This innovative study will be the first to systematically explore buprenorphine initiation/tapering with 
adjunctive gabapentin treatment as an approach to opioid discontinuation from COT-P.  Dr. Strain’s 
(Co-Mentor) pilot study of buprenorphine in COT-P showed that a significant proportion of COT-P patients 
tolerate transition to buprenorphine with a subsequent decrease in pain.  This study will expand these findings 
by exploring buprenorphine transition in a larger sample to allow for the first time: (1) Determination of the base 
rate of COT-P individuals who can tolerate buprenorphine initiation, (2) Determination of the base rate of 
successful taper from buprenorphine, and (3) Examine the efficacy of gabapentin in improving completion 


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outcomes during buprenorphine taper. This data will inform larger, definitive trials that will be critical in 
developing best practices for the management of one of the largest public health problems that faces our 
nation today.   
Comprehensively evaluating predictors of buprenorphine tolerance and successful opioid 
discontinuation from COT-P is novel.  To date, pain phenotyping, including self-report measures of pain and 
pain laboratory testing in those tapering from COT-P has not been studied. Exploring pain characteristics and 
pathways in relationship to treatment outcomes can (1) elucidate the mechanism of change in pain level 
(descending pain pathways, wind-up pain pathways, nociceptive pain pathways), (2) provide information about 
predicting opioid discontinuation outcomes, and (3) inform future studies targeting therapeutic development. 
Thus, this application represents a highly innovative and novel proposal that will yield extremely valuable data 
pertaining to a significant health concern in the US.    
3.0 Study Objectives 
The primary objective of this proposal is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of buprenorphine-assisted 
discontinuation from chronic opioid therapy for pain (COT-P) and to determine the role of gabapentin, an N-
type calcium channel blocker, as an adjunctive agent to assist with opioid cessation. Secondary objectives are 
to identify patient characteristics (biological, psychological, and pharmacological) that predict (1) successful 
transition to buprenorphine, (2) successful buprenorphine taper, and (3) opioid cessation. 
4.0 Study Design 
4.1 Overview of Study Design 
This study is to be conducted over four years to evaluate buprenorphine-assisted opioid taper in 150 
individuals on COT-P who are (1) seeking assistance with opioid cessation and (2) willing to attempt 
buprenorphine-assisted taper.  Because the fundamental question of how COT-P patients tolerate 
buprenorphine initiation is unanswered, we have divided this pilot proposal into two phases.   
4.2 Prescreening and Consent 
Subjects will be pre-screened for general inclusion/exclusion criteria.  Potentially eligible subjects will be given 
a full description of the study procedures and will be asked to read and sign an IRB-approved informed 
consent form.   
4.3 Screening and Baseline Assessments 
During the screening/baseline phase, subjects will be assessed with a clinical interview and self-report forms to 
confirm their eligibility. These assessments may occur over one or more visits and will also include medical 
exams, mental health and pain assessments, collection of biological specimens and opioid withdrawal 
assessments. Subjects will be required to allow communication with their prescribing physicians and will be on 
no other opioids other than buprenorphine prescribed through the study.  Subjects' prescribing physicians will 
be informed of patient participation and outcome as part of the study to protect against duplication of opioid 
therapy. The state prescription drug monitoring database will also be checked weekly throughout the study 
period and during the follow-up period at 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-months.   
In preparation for buprenorphine initiation, subjects will be advised by the study physician (board-certified 
addiction psychiatrist) how to taper and stop their full agonist opioids the day before initiation so that subjects 
present in mild withdrawal on the day of buprenorphine initiation; they will also be prescribed supportive 
medications to take as needed for withdrawal the day/night prior to buprenorphine initiation. Long-acting 
opioids will be discontinued 24 hours prior to buprenorphine initiation, but short-acting opioids be will allowed 
up until 8 hours prior to induction.  Subjects will have a phone or in-person session with the study physician the 
day prior to the induction and a phone call with research staff at least 2 days prior to induction.    


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4.4 Buprenorphine Initiation   
Following the screening/baseline procedures, the buprenorphine induction visit will be conducted.  On 
buprenorphine initiation day, subjects will spend up to 5 hours in the Research Nexus or clinical office.  On 
arrival, vital signs, subjective pain levels, and opioid withdrawal measures will be obtained, and buprenorphine 
induction will begin with 4mg once the COWS is ≥8. If the 4mg induction dose is tolerated and withdrawal 
symptoms remain, repeated doses of buprenorphine 4 mg (up to 16mg on day 1) will be given every 30-60 
minutes until withdrawal symptoms are mild or resolved, monitoring for sedation. The following induction 
algorithm is proposed: 
1. Participants should refrain from any opioid use for at least 8 hours prior to induction. 
2. Pre-dose baseline score on COWS should be ≥8 (with no signs of intoxication). 
3. An initial 2 mg sublingual dose should be given and the participant observed for 30 minutes.  If 
symptoms do not improve, an additional 2-4 mg (total cumulative dose 6mg) can be given and the 
participant observed for 30-60min.  If withdrawal or pain symptoms persist, another 2-4mg (total 
cumulative dose 10mg) can be given, and patient will be observed for 30-60 min.  If withdrawal or 
pain symptoms persist, the study medical clinician believes it is necessary, and participant wants to 
continue in study, a final 4mg dose can be given in the office and patient observed for 1 hour (total 
cumulative dose 14mg).   
4. Participants can leave once the assessment suggests that withdrawal phenomena and pain are 
both tolerable and stable or improving.  If the patient does not tolerate buprenorphine after 16mg, 
they will be transitioned back to prescribing physician (see details below). 
5. The study medical clinician or a designated staff member should contact the participant by phone 
later on the first day. 
This induction scheme is relatively conservative and aims to limit the first day dose to 16mg.  Alternative 
induction schedules can be used if the study medical clinician believes it is necessary.  
Self-report measures of pain, withdrawal and sedation will be obtained every 30 minutes during the induction 
period. Once the subject has achieved self-reported satisfactory levels of pain relief and decreased withdrawal 
with the least amount of side effects (stabilizing dose), he or she will be observed for 30 min-1 hour and pain 
measures will be repeated. If the subject (1) does not tolerate the initial or subsequent doses of buprenorphine; 
(2) experiences an increase in pre-buprenorphine measures of pain; (3) fails to have a decrease in withdrawal 
symptoms to the mild range (COWS≥8); or (4) does not want to continue with buprenorphine for any reason, 
the patient will be instructed to resume their previous opioid medications at approximately 1/2 the previous 
dose for one day, then as tolerated, slowly titrate back up to previous dose (in collaboration with their 
prescribing physician).  The prescribing physician will also be provided with general guidelines for outpatient 
opioid tapering, should that be pursued.  If the patient has any serious adverse reaction to buprenorphine, they 
will be escorted to the emergency room.   
 
Initiation Day 
Subject arrives in mild withdrawal 
Vital signs and baseline measures obtained 
Once withdrawal scale COWS is >8, initiate 2mg 
buprenorphine; monitor for withdrawal 
Record vital signs, monitor "tolerance" (pain level 
less than or equal to pre-bup level, withdrawal 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
11 
measure decreasing, and  willing to continue with 
initiation) x 30min 
 
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.5 Randomization and Blind Maintenance Procedures 
All subjects who tolerate buprenorphine initiation during the induction visit will be enrolled in the study and 
randomized to adjunctive gabapentin or placebo (labeled A or B by study pharmacist to maintain blinding) 
performed by the study physician per protocol set up by study statisticians (stratified random block design with 
block sizes of 2, 4 and 6 through RedCap), balancing groups on sex. Based on the randomizations sequence 
generated by RedCap at the time the subject enters Phase II, the study physician will dispense the correct 
medication to the subject (labeled “A” or “B” from the supply).  Only the research pharmacist and data manager 
will be aware of medication condition.  After each study visit, the clinician and subject will complete a 
questionnaire asking them to guess the study condition (real vs. placebo) along with a confidence rating on a 
Likert scale (0=complete guess; 10=absolutely sure).  Any scores of 10 on the confidence scale will be 
investigated.  If a problem is detected, it will be corrected under the advisement of the Medical Monitor.  
Blinding will be broken for any emergencies or with any recommendation from the Medical Monitor after review 
of adverse events or serious adverse events.   
4.6 Buprenorphine stabilization and gabapentin induction (2 weeks) 
Subjects who tolerate buprenorphine induction and choose to continue in the study will be randomized in a 
double-blind fashion to gabapentin or placebo and enter a 2-week buprenorphine stabilization/gabapentin 
titration period.  
Suggested Gabapentin Titration (mg) 
Week 
Day 1 
Day 2 
Day 3 
Day 4 
Day 5 
Day 6 
Day 7 
1 
100 bid 
100 bid 
200 bid 
200 bid 
300 bid 
300 bid 
300 bid 
2 
400 bid 
400 bid 
400 bid 
400 tid 
400 tid 
800 bid 
800 bid 
Subjects will have phone contact with research staff once/week, and will be seen by the study physician 
once/week for medication management (15min) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for pain (45 min).  
Tolerated Buprenorphine? 
No 
Yes 
No 
Terminate initiation 
Notify prescribing 
physician 
Provide instructions 
for opioid resumption 
Continued withdrawal symptoms or pain 
after 30 minutes? 
Give 4mg dose; observe 
30-60min; administer 
additional 4mg dose every 
30-60min (up to 16mg). 
Observe 1hr. Send home 
Yes 
Send home with 1 
week supply 
stabilizing dose  
Yes 
Phone contact: Continued withdrawal 
symptoms or pain after up to 16mg? 
Subject wants to 
remain in study? 
No 
Yes 
Titrate up the 
following day 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
12 
Buprenorphine dose may be adjusted in increments of up to 8mg (to maximum 24mg/day; split doses allowed) 
to balance pain relief, withdrawal relief and sedation to set a buprenorphine "stabilizing dose."  Dose changes 
are to be determined after the study staff obtains vital signs, evaluation of opioid use (urine and self-report), 
craving, signs and symptoms of opiate withdrawal or over-medication, adverse events and current 
buprenorphine and other medication taken since the last visit. Subjects will also be titrated on 
gabapentin/placebo according to the suggested titration schedule (split doses), which can be adjusted by the 
study clinician based on tolerance.  Subjects will be provided with a 7 day take-home supply of buprenorphine 
and gabapentin, and receive weekly urine toxicology. Compliance with medication doses will be assessed via 
pill counts, UDS, and self-report.  Buprenorphine and gabapentin will be dispensed and monitored throughout 
the study. 
4.7 Buprenorphine Tapering Phase (8 weeks) 
An 8-week buprenorphine taper will be assigned 
based on stabilizing dose determined in the 2 week 
stabilization period.   All subjects will be maintained 
on gabapentin during the buprenorphine taper.  
Subjects will be provided with a 7 day take-home 
supply of buprenorphine and gabapentin, and 
receive a weekly urine toxicology (and at 
completion).  During the taper, subjects will continue 
weekly medication management (15 min) and CBT 
for pain (45 min) with the study physician for support 
and to review critical issues or problem areas.  If the 
participant wants to taper more rapidly or slowly, 
they will discuss with study physician.  If in 
agreement, the taper change will be noted and dose 
adjustments can be made, but all tapers must 
complete by day 4 of week 8.  If subjects are unable 
to come in for an in-person visit, subjects can be 
scheduled for phone medication management and 
phone CBT with the study physician in place of in-
person meeting (medications would need to be distributed in advance or taper adjusted accordingly).  
Prescription Drug Monitoring Data will be checked weekly.   The following standard supportive medications for 
opioid withdrawal symptoms will be allowed (and assessed for self-reported use and pill counts weekly): (1) 
clonidine 0.1mg every 8 hours as needed for withdrawal; (2) cyclobenzaprine 5mg every 8 hours as needed for 
pain; (3) dicyclomine 20mg every 8 hours as needed for GI upset. All supportive medications will be tracked 
(type and dose utilized) to allow for statistical control and to track as an ancillary outcome measure. 
4.7 Gabapentin taper 
All subjects will be 
maintained on gabapentin or 
placebo throughout the 
buprenorphine tapering period and receive a 7-day gabapentin or placebo taper starting after buprenorphine 
has been tapered to 0mg or upon study termination. 
 
Buprenorphine Tapering Phase (8 weeks) 
Preliminary Buprenorphine Tapering Schedule 
(mg) 
Stabilizing 
Dose 
24 
20 
16 
12 
8 
4 
2 
Week 1 
16 
16 
12 
8 
6 
4 
2 
Week 2 
12 
12 
8 
6 
4 
2 
2 
Week 3 
8 
8 
6 
4 
4 
2 
2 
Week 4 
6 
6 
4 
2 
2 
2 
2* 
Week 5  
4 
4 
2 
2 
2 
2* 
2* 
Week 6 
2 
2 
2 
2* 
2* 
2* 
2* 
Week 7 
2* 
2* 
2* 
2* 
2* 
2* 
2* 
Week 8 
2* 
2* 
2* 
2* 
2* 
2* 
2* 
Completion 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
2*=every other day 
Gabapentin Taper (mg) 
Week 
Day 1 
Day 2 
Day 3 
Day 4 
Day 5 
Day 6 
Day 7 
1 
400 tid 
400 bid 
400 bid 
200 bid 
200 bid 
100 bid 
0 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
13 
4.8 Follow-up Visits 
At the end of 8 weeks, subjects will be monitored for opioid cessation via urine toxicology (including full panel 
of opioids and buprenorphine), self-report, and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) data.  Those 
who have buprenorphine present on final urine toxicology will have a repeat urine toxicology 1 week after 
cessation.  Opioid cessation will be measured at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-study discontinuation/completion 
via in-person and/or phone assessment of self-report opioid use, urine toxicology (if visit is conducted in office), 
and PDMP data. Pain levels will also be assessed using a Brief Pain Inventory. 
4.9 Termination 
Should the subject terminate from the study at any point during the buprenorphine taper, they will be provided 
with instructions and medication for a one-week taper of gabapentin, and post-study pain treatment will be 
decided by the patient, study physician, and prescribing physician, including (1) restarting an opioid or non-
opioid pain medication by the prescribing physician or (2) completing buprenorphine taper in MUSC’s 
Comprehensive Pain Management Clinic. Copies of all decided post-study recommendations will be provided 
to the patient and prescribing physician with appropriate follow-up appointments.  Although subjects meeting 
criteria for opioid addiction will be excluded from study, and we do not anticipate that this study would increase 
risk for addiction, if opioid addiction becomes suspected or diagnosed during the study, the subject will be 
discontinued from the study and referred/arranged for addiction treatment.  Because each of these subjects will 
have had at least one indication for opioid cessation, the prescribing physician will be provided with general 
information about opioid tapers. 
4.10 Duration of study and visit schedule 
Participation in the study will last approximately 12 months in total. The screening/baseline and buprenorphine 
induction visits will occur over a period of 1-2 weeks.  The treatment phase will include a 2 week stabilization 
period, followed by an 8 week taper, for a total of 10 weeks. There will also be a 1 week gabapentin/placebo 
taper period.  There will then be follow-up appointments at 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-months post-taper.  
4.10.1 Visit Schedule  
Screening/Baseline Visits: approx. 2 hours  
Induction Visit: up to 5 hours; within 1 week of (final) baseline visit  
Treatment Phase: weekly visits; up to 2 hours 
Week 1-2 (Stabilization) within 6 (+/-3) days of induction 
Weeks 3-11 (Tapering Phase): weekly  
Follow-Up Visits (Months 1, 3, 6 and 12 post-taper): up to 1 hour 
4.11 Data Collection 
Baseline self-report measures, pain laboratory measures, and follow-up data will be collected on paper 
questionnaires and entered into MUSC’s REDCap database by research staff.  REDCap data will be exported 
directly into SPSS with study IDs only, and data security, patient privacy, and HIPAA requirements will be 
followed.  The codes that link the name of the participant and the study ID will be kept confidential by the PI 
(through only allowing PI and essential research staff access to that portion of the REDCap Database). Data 
quality will be monitored by random inspection of the completed forms by research staff, and any irregularities 
or problems detected will be discussed with the PI.  Interim analysis is not indicated in this study.    


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
14 
5.0 Study Population 
5.1 Subject Recruitment 
We will recruit 150 subjects on COT-P who are treatment-seeking for opioid discontinuation. Participants will 
be recruited through flyers at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center, MUSC campus, and community 
forums in the tri-county area (e.g. coffee shops, waiting rooms, bulletin boards in community areas). We will 
also seek recruitment via flyers from physicians within and outside of MUSC, including area medical offices in 
the tri-county area (including but not limited to physician, chiropractic, physical therapy, urgent care, and 
independent Nurse Practitioner offices).   We will also recruit from the community by means of chronic pain 
support groups, social media, and craigslist. Utilizing MUSC's system that identifies patients who have agreed 
to be contacted for research purposes (by indicating such in the MUSC Research Permissions preferences in 
MyChart), we will conduct targeted database reviews to identify patients who would qualify for this 
study.  These patients will then be contacted according to their preferred method (phone, email) and invited to 
participate in the study using a phone script. 
5.2 Eligibility Criteria 
5.2.1 Inclusion Criteria  
Subjects between 18 - 70 years of age will meet the following inclusion criteria: (1) have the ability to speak 
and read in English; (2) currently taking COT-P for at least 6 months; (3) be on a reported daily opioid dose of 
>19mg and <200mg oral morphine equivalents/day (calculated 
at:http://www.agencymeddirectors.wa.gov/Calculator/DoseCalculator.htm); (4) be voluntarily seeking opioid 
discontinuation, (5) be willing to attempt buprenorphine-assisted opioid discontinuation; (5) be willing to be 
randomized to gabapentin or placebo; and (6)  have a current physician who is actively prescribing COT-P and 
who will be notified by the research team of the patient’s entry into the study.  
5.2.2 Exclusion criteria 
Subjects will not have the following exclusion criteria:  (1) previous intolerance or allergy to buprenorphine or 
gabapentin, (2) meeting DSM-V criteria for substance use disorder currently (except nicotine), (3) concurrent 
medical or psychiatric condition that, in the study team’s opinion, would preclude safe or meaningful 
participation (e.g. sedation; pregnancy; traumatic brain injury; severe mental illness; severe cardiac, renal, 
pulmonary, or liver disease), (4) current use of benzodiazepines (except prescribed dose of benzodiazepines 
for 6 months duration or more at same dose and without evidence of sedation) , or illicit drugs other than THC, 
(5) current use of the following sedating medications:   barbiturates, “z-drugs” (zolpidem, eszopiclone, zaleplon, 
zopiclone), baclofen, carisoprodol, chloral hydrate, marinol, sodium oxybate (Xyrem), (6) current use of the 
following QTc-prolonging medications:  amiodarone; anagrelide; artemether; asenapine; astemizole; aepridil; 
cisapride; disopyramide; dofetilide; domperidone; dosulepin; dronedarone; Eeiglustat; flupentixol; halofantrine; 
ibutilide; iloperidone; lopinavir; lumefantrine; mifepristone; nilotinib; paliperidone; pimozide; pipamperone; 
procainamide; quetiapine; quinidine; quinine; sotalol; sparfloxacin; sulpiride; terfenadine; tetrabenazine; 
thioridazine; toremifene; vandetanib; vemurafenib; ziprasidone; zuclopenthixol (5) current treatment with 
fentanyl or methadone, (6) current treatment with gabapentin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, MAO-inhibitors. 
6.0 Study Drug Management 
6.1 Dosing During Taper 
Taper guidelines are provided in Section 4.7. The study medical clinician may deviate from the guidelines and 
individualize the taper to the extent indicated by clinical considerations (missed doses, emergent 
withdrawal signs, etc.) but the taper must be completed within the specified timeframe, and the dosing 
schedule recorded on the appropriate form. 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
15 
6.2 Dispensing of Study Medication 
Buprenorphine will be dispensed for the first day of dosing by a medical clinician in accordance with state and 
federal regulations. Subjects will be evaluated in-person or by phone at least once again in Week 1 and then 
once weekly thereafter for dispensing of buprenorphine, medication management and education, cognitive 
behavioral therapy, and study drug and clinical assessments. Take-home doses of buprenorphine will be 
provided to participants to self-administer at home on days between clinic visits. An additional visit may be 
occasionally required to adjust a participant’s dose, or dispense additional medication to accommodate an 
increased dosage.  Participants receiving buprenorphine will be instructed to hold the tablet(s) under their 
tongue until the tablet(s) have completely dissolved. This may take several minutes. The tablet(s) should not 
be swallowed.  
6.3 Drug Packaging/Handling/Storage/Accountability 
Buprenorphine is available as a sublingual tablet in two doses: 2 mg and 8 mg. Buprenorphine will be obtained 
through MUSCs Narcotic Vault (narcotic-vault@musc.edu) by submitting the following items when placing an 
order for a C-III: copy of DEA registration, copy of DHEC registration, Authorization Signature Sheet, MUSC 
Controlled Substance Purchase Requisition Form.  Accurate recording of all buprenorphine received, 
dispensed, administered, returned, or destroyed will be made.  Buprenorphine will be stored in the PIs locked 
narcotic cabinet at MUSCs Institute of Psychiatry, room 104H in accordance with the PIs registered research 
DEA  and stored at 25ºC (77ºF), with excursions permitted to 15-30ºC.  The PI will prepare individual 
prescriptions for each participant visit.  These prescriptions will be provided in participant-numbered, child 
resistant packaging and clearly labeled with local regulatory requirements.  Unused drug supply will be 
destroyed under the direction of Ernest Thomas, MUSCs Controlled Substance Investigator. 
Gabapentin/placebo will be obtained and dispensed through Pitt Street Pharmacy in Mount Pleasant, SC.  The 
study pharmacist will prepare the gabapentin and placebo and will dispense pre-ordered batches labeled as 
“A” and “B” to the study physician, with the assignment of med vs placebo to either A or B blind to the study 
physician.  The pharmacist will retain the assignment and also give it to the study statistician in a sealed 
envelope in the event that the blind needs to be broken.  Only the study pharmacist and study statistician will 
know the assignment of the gabapentin or placebo.  Each participant who is enrolled in Phase II of the study 
will be dispensed gabapentin or placebo. 
Non-controlled withdrawal medications (clonidine, dicyclomine, cyclobenzaprine) will be obtained through 
MUSCs Pharmacy Procurement Center (pharm-dc@musc.edu).     
6.4 Training Procedures 
Cognitive behavioral therapy will be provided weekly by the PI, a board-certified psychiatrist, who will complete 
and document training through completion of the Professional Guide of “Managing Chronic Pain – A Cognitive-
Behavioral Therapy Approach.”  In the event the PI is not available for a CBT session, a trained and IRB-
approved back-up provider will provide CBT, and this will be noted accordingly. 
7.0 Concomitant Therapy 
7.1 General Considerations 
Most participants entering this trial will have pain, and many will be receiving other medications (e.g., non-
steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants) and/or nonpharmacologic treatments (e.g., acupuncture, 
physical therapy, hypnosis) to assist them with their pain. This trial will not restrict the use of concomitant 
medications used by a participant’s outside physician for pain management with the exception of gabapentin or 
opioids. Concomitant treatments will be assessed at each scheduled visit and recorded. 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
16 
7.2 Medications Allowed During the Trial 
Prior to study initiation (induction) participants should not have taken or been administered any opioid 
medications for at least 8 hours and must not be on gabapentin. 
7.2.1 Ancillary Withdrawal Comfort Medications 
All participants will have the option to receive ancillary withdrawal comfort medications before the induction and 
during the tapering portion of the protocol.  Use of any medications will be recorded.  Each participant will be 
instructed on the use of each medication prescribed and told they can self-administer the medication in 
accordance with the instructions. The use of ancillary medications will be closely monitored for the duration of 
the study. Prescribing of ancillary medications will be at the physician’s discretion in accordance with clinical 
need to assist with the management of withdrawal signs and symptoms during taper but should be limited only 
to those medications listed below.  All supportive medications will be tracked (type and dose utilized) to allow 
for statistical control and to track as an ancillary outcome measure.  The following list provides the dose, 
schedule and indication for withdrawal ancillary medication use: 
For general withdrawal: clonidine 0.1mg every 8 hours as needed 
For muscle pain: cyclobenzaprine 5mg every 8 hours as needed 
For GI upset: dicyclomine 20mg every 8 hours as needed 
If the physician feels additional medications are needed for symptoms related to withdrawal, the following 
medications can be prescribed (but they will not be provided through the study): 
• For anxiety and restlessness: hydroxyzine hydrochloride 50 mg, po q6 hrs prn; not to exceed 200 mg 
per 24 hrs 
• For bone pain and arthralgia: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Advil, 
Motrin and others-use within current guidelines) 800 mg po q8 hrs with food, not to exceed 2400 mg 
per 24 hrs; if an NSAID is not appropriate, acetaminophen – not to exceed 3 gm/day  
• For nausea: trimethobenzamide (Tigan) 250 mg po q8 hrs prn, not to exceed 750 mg per 24hrs or 
100/200 mg suppositories, not to exceed 400 mg per 24 hrs 
• For insomnia: trazodone hydrochloride 50 mg, 1-3 tabs, po qhs prn OR doxepin hydrochloride 50 mg, 
1-3 tabs, po qhs prn OR diphenhydramine 25-50 mg q 4-6 hrs prn, not to exceed 300 mg per 24 hrs 
8.0 Outcome Measures 
8.1 Primary Outcome Measures – Aim 1 
For Aim I, the primary outcome measure is the percentage of patients who tolerate buprenorphine 
initiation within an 8-hour initiation period, as evidenced by (1) moderate-good level of pain control (same or 
improved rating a 0-10 visual analogue scale for pain), (2) mild to no withdrawal symptoms (≤8 on the Clinical  
Opioid Withdrawal Scale), and (3) willingness to continue to the stabilization and tapering phase of the study. 
8.2 Primary Outcome Measures – Aim 2 
For Aim 2, the primary outcome measure will be opioid cessation at 8 weeks, measured through self-report, 
prescription drug monitoring data, and confirmatory UDS for a full panel of opioids. 
8.3 Secondary Outcome Measures 
1. Opioid cessation post taper: 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months 
2. Pain self-report:  Brief Pain Inventory, Pain Catastrophizing Scale 
3. Pain laboratory testing: Mechanical, wind-up/temporal summation, descending pathways 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
17 
4.  Opioid misuse risk: Current Opioid Misuse Measure 
5.  Physical Function: PROMIS Physical Function Short Form (PROMIS SF 10) 
6.  Sleep: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index 
7.  Opioid Withdrawal: Subjective Opioid Withdrawal Scale 
8.  Psychiatric co-morbidity:  Structured Clinical Interview (SCID) 
9.  Patient characteristics:  Standard demographic information; Pain diagnosis and history; Opioid history and 
characteristics; Other medications (including analgesics); Medical co-morbidities 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
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9.0 Study Assessments 
9.1 Study Timetable  
 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
19 
 
9.2 Laboratory Tests (e.g., Pregnancy Test, CMP, genetic test) 
9.2.1 Pregnancy Testing 
Female participants of child-bearing potential will be required to have a negative pregnancy test (urine hCG,) 
prior to induction on buprenorphine, and every 4 weeks thereafter while receiving buprenorphine.  
Buprenorphine is a Pregnancy Category C Drug. Female participants of childbearing potential will also be 
expected to practice acceptable birth control. Women who become pregnant will be withdrawn from the study 
and the decision to taper off buprenorphine, remain on buprenorphine, or transition back to opioid analgesic 
treatment will be decided with patient, study physician and prescribing physician.   
9.2.2 Comprehensive Metabolic Profile (Blood Chemistry and Liver Function Test) 
Blood will be collected for quantitative analysis, which will be performed for a standard chemistry and liver 
function profile. The following analytes will be recorded on the appropriate case report form: sodium, 
potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, glucose, creatinine, albumin, total protein, calcium, alanine aminotransferase 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
20 
(ALT/SGPT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST/SGOT), total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and blood 
urea nitrogen (BUN). Subjects with LFTs > 5X upper limit of normal range or glomerular filtration rate <60 at 
screening will be ineligible for the study. 
9.2.3 Genetic Tests 
Blood will be collected and stored for variants of opioid system genes and dopamine system genes that may 
predict buprenorphine response and successful taper in a future study.  This is explained in the Informed 
Consent.   
9.2.4 Urine Drug Testing 
Screening/baseline, induction, weekly treatment phase and 1, 3, 6, 12 month follow-up urine samples will be 
collected and analyzed for drugs of abuse. The sample collected at baseline will be to determine eligibility and 
the samples collected during the treatment phase will be prior to dispensing medication. If the subject’s 
buprenorphine screen is positive at completion of the taper, they will be asked to return in 1 week for repeat 
testing.  
9.3 Clinical Assessments (e.g. Medical History and Physical/Psychiatric Exam) 
The study medical clinician (or other qualified medical study staff) will complete a physical/psychiatric 
examination to help determine eligibility. The physical exam will also ensure that there are no medical 
concerns regarding participation and to gather baseline information about the participant’s health. The physical 
examination will be repeated at the end of buprenorphine induction visit and weekly during the buprenorphine 
taper phase.  Pertinent laboratory tests (CMP, UPT) will be reviewed. Participants with abnormal laboratory 
values will be notified and counseled to seek medical evaluation and care. For participants receiving opioids for 
chronic pain, the study medical clinician will consult with the participant’s prescribing physician to ensure that 
the participant is appropriate to participate in this protocol; e.g., that the participant’s pain is not due to an 
underlying malignancy or that further diagnostic testing is not needed to determine the source of the pain. 
9.4 Efficacy Assessments 
9.4.1 Urine Drug Testing 
Urine samples will be collected and analyzed for drugs of abuse at baseline to determine eligibility and prior to 
dispensing medication. All urine specimens will be analyzed by staff using drug test cups with temperature-
controlled monitoring. Drug test cups with immunoassay drug screen cards will be used to identify the following 
substances: oxycodone, benzodiazepines, THC, buprenorphine, methadone, cocaine, amphetamine, 
methamphetamine, propoxyphene, PCP, barbiturates, MDMA, TCAs and the Opiate 300 group analytes 
(morphine, heroin, and codeine). Other drugs may be detected by these analytes at high concentrations. For 
example, hydrocodone may be detected under the oxycodone test at high concentration levels. The cups also 
include adulterant testing for creatinine, nitrite, pH, bleach and specific gravity.  The results will be recorded on 
the appropriate CRF.  If the subject’s buprenorphine screen is positive at completion of the taper, they will be 
asked to return in 1 week for repeat testing.  
9.4.2 Opioid Use Report 
Self-reported opioid use data will be collected in conjunction with weekly medical management visits. A 
calendar technique similar to the Timeline Followback will be used to fill in each day since the last visit, which 
helps to fill in missing data in case of missed visits. Baseline data collection will review past 30 days of opioid 
use. The use of opioids, other drugs of abuse, and alcohol will be recorded. A urine drug screen will be 
performed at each of these visits as well as week 11 (if necessary) and all follow-up visits. 
9.4.3 Buprenorphine Tolerance Form 


v11, 3-1-2018 
 
 
21 
During the induction onto buprenorphine, the physician will fill out the Buprenorphine Tolerance form to 
determine outcome and eligibility for Phase II. 
9.4.4 State Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Data  
At baseline, at each study visit, and at months 1,3, 6, and 12,  the study physician will check the subject’s 
PDMP data and record results on the appropriate CRF.   
9.4.5  Clinical Opioid Withdrawal Scale (COWS) 
The Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale (COWS) is an 11-item scale designed to be administered by a clinician. 
This tool can be used in both inpatient and outpatient settings to reproducibly rate common signs and 
symptoms of opiate withdrawal and monitor these symptoms over time. The summed score for the complete 
scale can be used to help clinicians determine the stage or severity of opiate withdrawal and assess the level 
of physical dependence on opioids. This will be administered before and during buprenorphine induction and 
weekly during Phase II.  
9.5 Safety Assessments 
Safety assessments will consist of physical examination, vital signs, laboratory tests, pregnancy tests, adverse 
event reporting, and concomitant medications use. 
9.5.1 Adverse events (AEs) and Serious adverse events (SAEs) 
Adverse events will be monitored during the study. An AE is defined as any reaction, side effect, or untoward 
event that occurs during the course of the clinical trial, whether or not the event is considered medication- or 
study-related or clinically significant. For this study AEs will include events reported by the participant. A new 
illness, symptom, sign, or worsening of a pre-existing condition or abnormality is considered an AE. Stable 
chronic conditions, such as arthritis, which are present prior to clinical trial entry and do not worsen are not 
considered AEs. All AEs must be recorded on the AE CRF (Case Report Form). The AE CRF is also used to 
record follow-up information for unresolved events reported on previous visits. Each AE will be classified by the 
study investigator as serious or non-serious and appropriate reporting procedures followed. 
Serious adverse events (SAEs) are defined as any fatal event, any immediately life-threatening event, any 
permanent or substantially disabling event, any event that requires or prolongs hospitalization, any congenital 
anomaly, or any event that required intervention to prevent one of the above outcomes. 
9.5.2 Unexpected Events 
An unexpected event is one that is not described with respect to nature, severity or frequency in the current 
Investigator Brochure, or is standard symptomatology for opioid withdrawal. 
9.5.3 Pain and Opioid Analgesics Use History 
Information will be collected at the Phase 1 baseline visit to determine a variety of pain-associated issues 
(body region(s) affected by pain, participant description of pain diagnosis, duration of pain, number of days in 
past 30 days and past 6 months with pain, past history of pain if not currently experiencing pain; pain treatment 
history) and opioid analgesics use issues [initial reason for initiating opiate use (e.g. pain relief versus illicit 
use), current and past sources of opiate analgesics, current and past types of opioid analgesics]. 
9.5.4 Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-V (SCID) 
A SCID will be used during the initial medical and psychiatric exam to measure psychiatric co-morbidity and 
confirm no exclusion criteria are present (e.g. substance abuse diagnosis, severe mental illness). 
9.5.5 Prescribing Physician Collaboration Form 


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This form will be used to document coordination with prescribing physician and document education and 
expectations for the study. 
9.6 Blinding Assessment 
This is a double-blinded study.  For Phase II, the participant and the study physician will complete a Blinding 
Assessment Form to document their respective guesses as to which condition the subject is under. 
9.7 Pain and Other Assessments 
9.7.1 Brief Pain Inventory 
The Brief Pain Inventory-SF (BPI; Cleeland & Ryan, 1994) is a 9-item assessment of intensity of pain and 
interference of pain in life. Originally developed for cancer pain, it is widely used to assess nonmalignant acute 
and chronic pain (Tan, Jensen, Thornby & Shanti, 2004). The complete BPI-SF will be collected at baseline, 
pre- and post-induction, during each visit in Phase 2 and follow-up.  In addition to verbal patient report of pain, 
these items will permit study clinicians to monitor for any clinical deterioration in pain status that may require 
collaboration with prescribing physician, follow-up and/or referral. 
9.7.2 VAS-Pain 
Before and after buprenorphine induction, subjects will be asked to rate their pain on a scale of 0-10. 
9.7.3 Pain Laboratory Testing Procedures  
Laboratory Pain Procedures (Quantitative Sensory Testing; QST) will be performed at baseline and at visits 
week 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11 and month 1, 6, and 12 in Phase II.  
1.  Mechanical (Pressure) Pain Threshold Assessment (PPTh): A digital anesthesiometer (IITC Life Sciences 
ElectroVonFrey) will be used to assess mechanical pain perception. Pain threshold to static mechanical stimuli 
will be determined by applying the rigid monofilament to the dorsum of each subject’s right hand with 
increasing pressure (10 grams per second) until the participant indicates verbally that the pain threshold has 
been reached. Participants will rate the intensity and unpleasantness using a computerized visual analog scale 
(CVAS). 
2.  Diffuse Noxious Inhibitory Controls (DNIC): Baseline mechanical pain threshold will be assessed on the 
right brachioradialis or right trapezius in random order as above.  Immediately following this “baseline” 
assessment, participants will undergo a cold pressor task.  During the cold pressor task, each participant will 
immerse his or her contralateral hand up to the wrist in a circulating ice water bath maintained at 4.5 degrees C 
(40 degrees Fahrenheit).  Ten seconds after starting hand immersion, PPTh will be reassessed at the same 
site of baseline assessment.  During each pain assessment session, a total of 4 DNIC tasks will be performed: 
2 trials at each anatomical site with 2 minute intervals between cold pressor tasks.  Participants will be directed 
to keep their hand in the water for the duration of the PPTh assessment.  DNIC will be measured as the 
percent change in PPTh during the cold pressor tasks relative to baseline.  An increase in PPTh during cold 
pressor reflects normal functioning of pain-inhibitory processes. 
3.  Controlling for General Physiological Arousal: During the laboratory pain procedures, subjects will be 
hooked-up to an Avant 2120 Pulse Oximeter with non-invasive blood-pressure measurement capabilities. 
Heart rate, pulse oximetry readings and blood pressure will be recorded during the procedure to determine if 
effects on pain are associated with any changes in cardiovascular activity. These are important processes to 
track in order to rule-out potential confounds of general physiological arousal and changes in pain perception. 
9.7.4 Beck Depression Inventory II 
This 21-item scale (Beck et al., 1961) assesses common features of depression on a 4-point severity scale, 
with a focus on cognitions. It is widely used in both drug and psychosocial treatment studies of depression, and 


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is commonly used in studies of pain (Dworkin et al., 2005). The BDI will be collected at baseline and weeks 2, 
6, 11 and Month 1 follow-up.  
9.7.5 SF-36 
The SF-36 version 2 is a 36-item, participant administered instrument examining health-related quality of life 
changes as a function of treatment (Ware and Sherbourne, 1992). Most items are rated on a 5-point scale. The 
SF-36 v. 2 will be completed at baseline and Weeks 4, 8, 11 and Months 1 and 12 during Phase II. 
9.7.6 Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 
The PSQI is a 19 item self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality over a 1-month time interval. The 
measure consists of 19 individual items, creating 7 components that produce one global score, and takes 5-10 
minutes to complete.  This will be administered at baseline and Weeks 2, 8 and 11 of Phase II. 
9.7.7 Patient Health Questionnaire – 15 (PHQ-15) 
The PHQ-15 is a brief, self-administered questionnaire that may be useful in screening for somatization and in 
monitoring somatic symptom severity in clinical practice and research.  This will be performed at baseline. 
9.7.8 PROMIS SF 10 
The PROMIS SF 10 is a 10-item scale that evaluates self-report of general health, mental health, physical 
activity and quality of life.  This will be performed at baseline, and Weeks 1, 2, 3, 6, 11, and Months 1, 6, and 
12. 
9.8 Treatment Compliance 
Medication compliance will be measured using pill counts done at the weekly visits. Treatment participation will 
be measured in the follow-up treatment visit CRF. 
Participation in medical and psychosocial treatment and self-help outside of the study will be captured on a 
concomitant treatment CRF. 
9.9 Common Assessment Battery (CAB) 
9.9.1 Brief Demographics Form 
Basic demographic information assessing for age, ethnicity/race, and gender will be collected at baseline.  
9.9.2 Locator Information 
Basic locator data will be collected and kept confidential in the participant’s record. Locator information typically 
includes contact information such as residential street address, or an address of someone who knows where to 
contact the participant if they are homeless, and a phone number where they can be reached. Additional 
information includes the names and addresses of two or three individuals who would likely know their 
whereabouts, particularly relatives or close friends. This information will be obtained at baseline and will be 
updated as necessary. This information will be used to facilitate contact with the participant during the study 
and at follow-up. 
9.9.3 Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) 
The COMM is a 17-item scale validated in chronic pain patients used to identify aberrant behaviors associated 
with risk for misuse of opioid medications. A cut-off score of 9 or greater identifies 77% of those at high risk for 
opioid misuse (non-addicted, whereas those with a score of 13 or greater identifies patients with an opioid use 
disorder (sensitivity 77%, specificity 77%).  The  COMM will be administered at baseline. 
9.9.4 Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) 


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The PCS is a 13-item scale that was developed to help quantify an individual's pain experience, asking about 
how they feel and what they think about when they are in pain. Compared to other ways of measuring pain-
related thoughts, this questionnaire is unique in that the individual does not need to be in pain while completing 
it. This will be measured at baseline. 
9.9.5 Controlled Preference Scale (CPS)  
The CPS is a context domain, card sort instrument that assesses preferences regarding participation in health 
care decisions for people with life threatening illnesses. This will be administered at baseline. 
9.9.6 Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Questionnaire 
The ACE Questionnaire is a 10-item self-report measure developed for the ACE study to identify childhood 
experiences of abuse and neglect. The study posits that childhood trauma and stress early in life, apart from 
potentially impairing social, emotional, and cognitive development, indicates a higher risk of developing health 
problems in adulthood.  This will be administered at baseline. 
10.0 Statistical Analysis 
10.1 Statistical analysis 
Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics will be tabulated for all screened subjects. Following 
completion of enrollment, baseline variables will be compared between subjects who tolerated buprenorphine 
and continued were enrolled in the study and those who did not. Continuous and ordinal characteristics will be 
compared using a Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test statistic while categorical characteristics will be compared using a 
Pearson Chi-Square test statistic. Following completion of the study, estimates of the proportions (and 
associated 95% confidence intervals) of participants that successfully completed opioid cessation at 8 weeks 
will be calculated for end of treatment, as well as 1, 3, and 6 months post taper. Model based estimates will be 
compared between those who were randomized to gabapentin vs. placebo using Generalized Estimating 
Equations for correlated binary outcomes (treatment phase cohort).  Additionally, generalized linear models will 
be used to investigate clinical and demographic correlates of treatment success using baseline and 
longitudinal study characteristics while controlling for adjunctive medication use. Following the analysis of the 
treatment phase cohort, a complementary analysis will compare opioid cessation between the treatment phase 
cohort and with those in the standard care cohort. Secondary outcomes such as medication compliance and 
withdrawal symptoms will be tracked longitudinally over time.  As selection into the treatment phase cohort was 
not randomized, a full analysis of covariates associated with the cohort assignment will be done and those 
predictive of assignment will be included in model development and tested for possible effect modification.   
10.2 Power and Sample Size 
The primary aim of the proposed study is to investigate the proportion of subjects enrolled into a buprenorphine 
taper who discontinue use of COT-P. The study aims to estimate the precision of the efficacy estimate by 
calculating the effective proportion abstinent at the end of the taper period, the 95% confidence interval for 
each study treatment group (gabapentin vs. placebo), and the difference between groups. The lower bound of 
the 95% confidence interval around each estimate will be used to inform larger randomized trials of efficacy.  
The induction phase of the proposed study is to determine the proportion of subjects maintained on COT-P 
who tolerate transition to buprenorphine using a one-day outpatient protocol.  Based on a small pilot study of a 
COT-P participants (n=12), 58% (7/12) tolerated buprenorphine initiation and 71% of those that tolerated the 
study drug completed the taper (5/7)65.  Of a feasible sample of 150 participants screened for tolerance (using 
target morphine dose equivalents), we anticipate 50-60% (n=75-90) will tolerate the study drug and be 
randomized into the treatment phase of the study.  The detectible margin of error varies with the proportion that 
succeeds in discontinuation of opioids following the taper, with greater margins associated with proportions 
near 50% (most conservative).  With an estimated base rate of 50% of COT-P subjects who successfully 


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discontinue opioids following taper, we are powered to detect a margin of error from the overall study 
proportion and lower 95% confidence interval between 0.09 (n=90) and 0.10 (n=75).   Based on pilot data 
within a similar population, we anticipate 30% attrition in the treatment phase study population65.  With 
attrition, we are powered to detect a slightly wider margin of error of between 0.095 (n=90) and 0.105 (n=75).  
In the analysis of the effect of gabapentin versus placebo in the treatment phase cohort, assuming an overall 
rate of 50% of COT-P subjects who successfully discontinue opioids following taper, 45 participant randomized 
to each drug group, we are powered to detect a margin of error in the difference and lower 95% confidence 
interval of 0.20 (n=45 per group).  When accounting for possibly high attrition, with 70% retention, we will be 
able to detect a lower limit of the 95% confidence interval of 0.24 below the true proportion of the group 
difference. 
11.0 Protection of Human Subjects and Data Safety Monitoring Plan 
11.1 Inclusion of Women and Minorities 
This study will include and recruit women and minorities. Based on previous and ongoing research efforts at 
MUSC within prescription opioid users, we anticipate that approximately 50% of the subjects recruited will be 
women. We will make every effort to recruit and retain women into the study.  Charleston's population is 
currently 64% Caucasian and 34% African-American, with African Americans representing the only minority 
group of any large number in South Carolina.  However, it is estimated, based on previous and ongoing 
research efforts in prescription opioid users presenting for research studies at MUSC, that approximately 20% 
of the subjects will identify themselves in a minority group.  Every effort will be made to recruit and retain 
minority individuals in the study.  We will also utilize the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research 
Institute’s (SCTR) Research Support Services (SUCCESS) Center’s Recruitment Core in order to ensure 
adequate numbers of males, females and minorities. 
11.2 Quality Assurance 
Data quality will be monitored by random inspection of the completed forms by research staff, and any 
irregularities or problems detected will be discussed with the PI.  Interim analysis is not indicated in this study.       
11.3 Trial Safety and Reporting of SAEs 
During screening, subjects will undergo a battery of medical tests and physical exam to determine eligibility 
and safety for participation in the study.  Subjects will be excluded if they have any medical or psychiatric 
condition that would preclude safe or meaningful participation (e.g. traumatic brain injury; severe mental 
illness; severe cardiac, renal, pulmonary, or liver disease); current use of benzodiazepines or illicit drugs; or 
maintenance on fentanyl or methadone.  During each clinic visit of the treatment phase, subjects will be asked 
about adverse events and have vital signs taken.  Patients will not receive medication if they have any signs or 
symptoms that may pose a safety issue with either trial medication.  All adverse events during the study will be 
collected, documented and reported to the PI.  The occurrence of AEs will be assessed at screening/baseline, 
and at each clinic visit during the treatment phase of the study and again during any follow-up visits.  All AEs 
are reviewed weekly by the PI (new or continuing), quarterly by the Medical Monitor.  All AEs will be assessed 
to determine if they meet the criteria for an SAE.  Any SAE (meeting reporting criteria) will be reported within 
48 hours in writing to the MUSC IRB, NIDA (via SAETRS), and the FDA.  Initial and follow-up of any SAEs will 
also be reported to these three agencies.  For each AE/SAE recorded, the research staff will follow the 
AE/SAE until resolution or stabilization.  A subject may have their medication discontinued or may be 
withdrawn from the study if the investigator determines it is the best decision in order to protect the safety of a 
participant.  In the event that a subject withdraws or is discontinued from the study due to an SAE, the patient 
will have appropriate follow-up medical monitoring.  Monitoring will continue until the problem has 
resolved/stabilized with no further change expected, is clearly unrelated to study medication, or results in 


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death.  Outcome of SAEs will be periodically reported to NIDA, and a summary will be included in an annual 
progress report to NIDA.     
11.4 Potential risks for participants 
The subjects recruited for this study will have one or more indications for opioid cessation and be suffering with 
chronic pain, which places them in a higher risk category for adverse events in general.  The following are the 
expected risks in this study: 
1.  Discomfort from opioid withdrawal:  It is necessary to be in moderate opioid withdrawal in order to safely be 
inducted on buprenorphine.  To minimize the discomfort, subjects will be provided with standard symptomatic 
medications detailed in the protocol to relieve those symptoms of withdrawal.  It is expected that withdrawal 
symptoms will be temporary until buprenorphine is initiated.  Subjects will be provided with extensive 
supportive counseling prior to and while undergoing withdrawal. 
2.  Precipitated withdrawal:  Induction on buprenorphine comes with risk of precipitated opioid withdrawal, and 
every step will be taken to minimize this risk (by excluding patients on methadone, fentanyl, or on opioid doses 
greater than 200 morphine equivalents), ensuring patients are in moderate withdrawal before induction, and 
discontinuing long-acting opioids 24 hours before induction.   
3. Side effects to buprenorphine:  The following are the expected adverse events (and frequency, over 5%) 
related to buprenorphine (from package insert for Suboxone, which includes rates for buprenorphine alone): 
headache (29%), insomnia (21%), pain (18%), withdrawal syndrome (18%), nausea (14%), sweating (13%), 
pain in abdomen (12%), infection (12%), rhinitis (10%), pain in back (8%), chills (8%), constipation (8%), and 
vomiting (8%).  Expected adverse events will be closely monitored and recorded, and subjects will be able to 
discontinue the study at any time due to an adverse event.  Supportive medications will be used or suggested 
to assist with treatable adverse events (e.g. bisacodyl for constipation). 
4.  Side effects to gabapentin:  The following are the expected adverse events (and frequency, over 5%) 
related to gabapentin (from package insert for Neurontin): dizziness (28%), somnolence (21.4%), peripheral 
edema (8.3%), asthenia (5.7%), diarrhea (5.7%), infection (5.1%).  Expected adverse events will be closely 
monitored and recorded and subjects will be able to discontinue the study at any time due to an adverse event, 
Supportive medications will be used or suggested to assist with treatable adverse events (e.g. loperamide for 
diarrhea). 
5.  Side effects of buprenorphine + gabapentin:  In a population that received this dose of gabapentin (vs. 
placebo) while undergoing a buprenorphine taper (n=30) (Sanders et al 2013), the following adverse events 
were noted: nausea/vomiting (gabapentin: n=2; placebo: n=1); somnolence (gabapentin: n=2, placebo: n=0); 
sleep disturbance (gabapentin: n=2, placebo: n=0); loss of motor skills (gabapentin: n=1; placebo: n=0); fatigue 
(gabapentin: n=1, placebo: n=0), and lightheadedness (gabapentin: n=1, placebo: n=0).  All events were mild 
and did not require intervention, except for lightheadedness.  Although vital signs were within the normal 
range, the gabapentin titration was kept at a lower dose to be conservative.  
6.  Side effects from buprenorphine + benzodiazepines:  The combination of benzodiazepines and opioids, 
including buprenorphine, can result in respiratory depression and increase risk for overdose death.  However, 
a recent FDA Drug Safety Report (9/20/17) explains that buprenorphine products should not be withheld from 
patients solely because they are on benzodiazepines.  For this reason, we will include subjects who are on 
prescribed stable doses of benzodiazepines for at least 6 months with no evidence of sedation.  Our induction 
regimen is very conservative with regards to induction dosing, and all subjects will be closely monitored for 
sedation. 
 7.  Suicidal Ideation: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), including gabapentin, increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or 
behavior in patients taking these medications for any indication. In this study, subjects will be assessed three 
times a week for worsening mood, suicidal thoughts or behavior by the study team.  Should depression or 


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suicidal thoughts/behavior emerge during the study, the subject will be immediately evaluated by the PI, board-
certified psychiatrist, to determine appropriate recommendations for treatment (inpatient, outpatient, intensive 
outpatient) and safety planning. Coordination of care will occur with the referring/prescribing physician to 
ensure proper follow-up and monitoring.   
8.  Respiratory depression and sedation:  To minimize this risk, current use of illicit or unstable dose of 
benzodiazepines, alcohol, or active/history of sedative-hypnotic use disorder will be exclusion criteria for the 
study.  Additionally, on the day of buprenorphine initiation, subjects will be monitored for up to 8 hours and 
subsequently weekly during the study to monitor for risks of sedation and respiratory depression.  Subjects will 
be educated about the risks of using sedatives, hypnotics or alcohol with buprenorphine and will also be 
monitored weekly with urine toxicology to test for the use of other opioids or any benzodiazepine or barbiturate.  
Subjects will be terminated from the study if sedation or respiratory depression become evident and will be 
referred to the emergency room (if symptoms are moderate-severe) or monitored until resolution (if symptoms 
are mild).    
9.  Worsening pain/clinical deterioration:  Buprenorphine, a partial mu opioid agonist, can provide variable pain 
relief to those with chronic pain.  Although most studies show an improvement in pain with buprenorphine 
initiation, should the subject's pain worsen after buprenorphine initiation or during taper, subjects will have the 
opportunity to exit the study and resume their previous treatment.  Any effects of buprenorphine in worsening 
pain control should be temporary and wear-off within 48 hours, after previous medications have been re-
initiated.        
11.5 Risk mitigation plan, management of SAE and other study risks 
Drs. Barth and Brady will meet regularly to discuss study progress, subject participation, and any clinical issues 
that arise.  Drs. Barth and Brady, both of whom are reachable by pager or cell phone, will monitor participants 
for psychiatric and medical stability.  In addition, there will be a Medical Monitor who will review any adverse 
events occurring during the study on a quarterly basis. 
The following safety precautions will be utilized to minimize risks/harms: 
Laboratory pain testing: For mechanical stimulation procedures, the range of von Frey Hair weights to be used 
for stimulation will be incapable of breaking the skin or causing any tissue damage. The study is set up to test 
for thresholds, so when a subject feels any pain, the stimulus will immediately stop. 
Confidentiality: Every effort will be made to ensure that health information will be collected and stored in a 
manner that ensures the highest level of protection of confidentiality, including coding all study material and 
keeping all study material behind locked door in locked cabinet.  All interviews and procedures will be 
performed in a private office at MUSC generally used for private medical interviews. Each subject will be 
assigned a code number which will be used to identify all collected data. The key for the code numbers will be 
kept in a separate locked cabinet from the study data in a locked office, accessible only by the PI.  Data 
management and statistical analysis will be done with coded material only. This study involves healthy 
participants who will be entering the Institute of Psychiatry. If they are seen by anyone they know, they will be 
able to share that they are participating as a healthy control in a research study, if they feel so inclined.  Study 
data collected will be stored in the following locations:  in a locked office, in a locked cabinet, in a password 
protected office computer and password protected network storage. 
Buprenorphine Initiation: To minimize the risks of buprenorphine initiation, we will be taking the following 
precautions: (1) selecting individuals within a certain opioid dosing range to optimize successful transition, (2) 
selecting subjects without major medical or psychiatric co-morbidities, (3) providing close medical supervision 
in the week preceding the initiation and up to a full day of medical supervision the day of the initiation, (4) 
requiring that subjects have transportation available the day of buprenorphine initiation and not be operating 
any heavy machinery, (5) excluding individuals on illicit or unstable doses of benzodiazepines or other 


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sedatives as well as those on fentanyl of methadone, (6) conducting the induction in the Research Nexus or 
physician’s office , (7) completing a physical exam and laboratory evaluation prior to buprenorphine initiation, 
(8) allowing subjects to stop the study at any time and resume their previous level of care, (9) coordinating with 
the subject's opioid and, if applicable, benzodiazepine prescriber at the initiation and conclusion of the study, 
(10) providing cognitive behavioral therapy for pain, (11) providing patient education about the risks of 
buprenorphine overdose, especially in combination with sedatives or alcohol, (12) obtaining weekly urine 
toxicology for opioids to ensure the subject is abstinent from prescription opioids other than buprenorphine. For 
those on stable doses of benzodiazepines for at least 6 months duration who are unable or unwilling to safely 
taper off benzodiazepines to enter the study, it has been shown that buprenorphine can safely be used with 
stable doses of benzodiazepines, as reported in a recent FDA Drug Safety Communication (attached).  Our 
initiation protocol is very conservative using 2mg buprenorphine induction, we provide education about using 
caution with benzodiazepines and buprenorphine, and we monitor closely for sedation throughout the study. 
Gabapentin initiation/maintenance/taper:  To minimize the risk of poor tolerance of initial gabapentin titration, 
our proposed titration is more gradual than that which was already demonstrated to be well-tolerated in a 
sample of 30 subjects undergoing buprenorphine taper (Sanders, et al). We will monitor for worsening mood or 
suicidal thoughts/behavior once a week and review all adverse events with our Medical Monitor.  Gabapentin 
taper has been well-tolerated in durations of less than one week, but we will taper gabapentin over one week 
to minimize any possible risk and maximize tolerance. 
Buprenorphine Taper/Study Termination:  To minimize the risks of buprenorphine taper, we will complete the 
above precautions with the following additions: (1) continue to coordinate with the prescribing physician during 
and at the conclusion of the taper (or study termination), (2) medical supervision once  a week, (3) providing 
only a 1 week supply of take-home buprenorphine to minimize the risk of diversion, (4) have a phone meeting 
with the prescribing physician should a patient terminate at which time options for safe pain treatment will be 
discussed, including education about decreased tolerance and increased risk of overdose should the patient 
resume opioid therapy immediately at the previously prescribed dose.  Education will be provided to patient 
and prescribing provider regarding safe re-initiation and/or tapering of opioid therapy. 
Students and Employees:  Students and employees are eligible for this study.  It will be clearly discussed that 
there is no obligation to participate in this study, consequence for not participating, and confidentiality will be 
maintained.  
Use of buprenorphine and gabapentin in elderly populations:   
Gabapentin: The total number of patients treated with gabapentin in controlled clinical trials in patients with 
postherpetic neuralgia was 336, of which 102 (30%) were 65 to 74 years of age, and 168 (50%) were 75 years 
of age and older. There was a larger treatment effect in patients 75 years of age and older compared with 
younger patients who received the same dosage. Since gabapentin is almost exclusively eliminated by renal 
excretion, the larger treatment effect observed in patients ≥75 years may be a consequence of increased 
gabapentin exposure for a given dose that results from an age-related decrease in renal function. However, 
other factors cannot be excluded. The types and incidence of adverse reactions were similar across age 
groups except for peripheral edema and ataxia, which tended to increase in incidence with age.  We are 
following package insert recommendations for cautious dosing for all subjects, starting at the low end of the 
dosing range.  We are also only including subjects with normal renal (GFR>/=60) and hepatic function 
(LFTs<5x upper limit of normal).  Renal dosing for gabapentin for GFR≥60 = 900 to 3600mg/day.  In clinical 
studies, efficacy for neuralgia was demonstrated over a range of doses from 1800 mg/day to 3600 mg/day with 
comparable effects across the dose range; however, in these clinical studies, the additional benefit of using 
doses greater than 1800 mg/day was not demonstrated.  In this study, we are limiting the max dose to 
1600mg/day gabapentin. 


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Buprenorphine: Clinical studies of SUBOXONE sublingual tablets, SUBOXONE (buprenorphine and naloxone) 
sublingual film, or SUBUTEX (buprenorphine) sublingual tablets did not include sufficient numbers of subjects 
aged 65 and over to determine whether they responded differently than younger subjects. Other reported 
clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In 
general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing 
range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant 
disease or other drug therapy.  In this study, we do start buprenorphine dosing at the low end of dosing, and 
we are excluding patients with renal or liver disease, or any other medical condition or concomitant drug 
therapy (e.g. unstable or illicit benzodiazepines), that would put them at increased risk with buprenorphine.  
Given opioid use among the elderly is an important issue and many qualify for opioid discontinuation, it is not 
warranted to exclude healthy elderly individuals that otherwise qualify for the study based exclusively on age, 
so the upper limit of age cut-off for this study will be set at 70 years of age.  
Unknown Risks: The experimental treatments may have unknown side effects. The researchers will inform 
subjects immediately if any information learned might cause subjects to reconsider participation in the study.  
Should it become apparent that the subject has a medical or psychiatric issue, appropriate referrals will be 
made for treatment.  Any adverse events will be reported to the IRB.   
Populations vulnerable to coercion/influence:  In order to minimize the risk to subjects vulnerable to coercion or 
undue influence, we are ensuring prior to study entry that all subjects have an active opioid prescriber who is 
willing to resume their care (including opioids as appropriate) should the initiation/taper not be successful.  Dr. 
Barth currently manages 50 outpatients on chronic opioid therapy for pain as part of a clinical pilot program 
(Comprehensive Pain Management Program, CPMP) at MUSC (10% effort, Wednesday afternoons)).  To 
eradicate the possibility of conflict of interest, coercion or undue influence, Dr. Barth will not recruit for this 
study from her CPMP clinical population.  All referrals to the study will come from providers other than Dr. 
Barth, and the subjects can return to that provider’s care upon completion of the study.   
11.6 Potential Benefits of the Proposed Research to Human Subjects and Others 
Acute and chronic pain are very prevalent conditions that cause much suffering. It is hoped that the information 
gained from the study will help in the treatment of patients with chronic pain conditions.  This research can lead 
to improved interventions and treatment options for those with chronic pain, improved understanding of pain, 
and potentially decrease risk of opioid overdoses.  Previous research with clinical pain populations show that 
many patients have a decrease in pain after tapering off opioid medications, which would be an individual 
potential benefit to the participants. 
11.7 Trial Stopping Rules 
All SAEs will be reviewed regularly.  If at any time in the study, it appears that the potential risks to participants 
outweighs the potential benefits, the PI will ask the governing bodies their recommendations about stopping 
the trial.   
11.8 Conflict of Interest 
Dr. Barth (PI) and Dr. Guille (Medical Monitor) have no current conflicts of interest in performing or monitoring 
this research.  Each physician is reviewed yearly by MUSC for potential conflicts of interest.  If a potential 
conflict of interest becomes apparent, this will be addressed under the guidance of MUSC’s IRB by either 
removing the conflict (in the case of the PI or Medical Monitor), or if it cannot be removed (in the case of the 
Medical Monitor), to change the Medical Monitor.   


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11.9 Data and Safety Monitoring Plan Administration 
 Dr. Barth is responsible for monitoring the safety of subjects, executing the DSM plan, and complying with 
reporting regulations.  A DSM report is filed with the IRB and NIDA Program Official on a yearly basis, unless 
greater than expected problems occur.  The report includes a brief description of the trial, subject 
characteristics, retention and disposition of study subjects, quality assurance issues, reports of AEs, 
significant/unexpected AEs and serious AEs, and efficacy.