Conditions: Cocaine Dependence
Keywords: cocaine dependence pharmacotherapy
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 30
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to see if a drug called Candesartan will help to reduce use of cocaine.

Detailed description:
The noradrenergic system may play an important role in cocaine addiction in humans. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is known to enhance noradrenergic activity, which contributes to effects on blood pressure and sympathetic nervous system responses to stress. Inhibition of Ang II has been shown to reduce cravings for stimulants, including cocaine and methamphetamine.

This clinical trial among 75 cocaine-dependent subjects is designed to test the efficacy of the Angiotensin II receptor antagonist, Candesartan, for treatment of cocaine dependence. The results of this study will provide medical safety and efficacy data, and will guide future pharmacotherapy trials using this class of medications for cocaine addiction.

This 8-week trial includes a 1-week titration of the medication and 7-weeks of full dose medication (weeks 2-8), with all subjects receiving the active agent.

At the conclusion of the trial, subjects who wish to be referred to an appropriate treatment program or treatment research program will be assisted with a referral.

Arms:
arm 1: Titration up to 8mg through week 1. Continue on 8mg thru wk 8. CBT optional thru study. arm 2: Sugar pill to mimic Candesartan for study duration. CBT optional thru study.

Interventions: intervention 1: Candesartan with CBT intervention 2: Placebo with CBT
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: 8 mg, po (by mouth) intervention 2: None

Protocol document: