Research on Medications for Stimulant Use Disorders

Explore our curated selection of research focused on medications showing clinical efficacy for the treatment of stimulant use disorders. These resources highlight emerging evidence, clinical trials, and expert recommendations to support informed decision-making in medications for stimulant use disorder treatment.

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Resources

Naltrexone & Bupropion
Naltrexone & Bupropion combination for methamphetamine use disorder
- - The ADAPT-2 trial tested whether a combination of two medications, extended-release injectable naltrexone and extended-release oral bupropion, could help reduce methamphetamine use among individuals with moderate to severe methamphetamine use disorder. Over 12 weeks, the treatment led to a small but significantly higher number of people testing negative for methamphetamines compared to those who got a placebo. Additionally, participant follow-up showed sustained benefits post-treatment
  - Peer-reviewed research:
    - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38856086/
    - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33497547/
  - Learn more about naltrexone and bupropion pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics here:
    - Naltrexone
    - Bupropion
Mirtazapine
Mirtazapine has also shown success in reducing methamphetamine use among high-risk populations. Participants receiving mirtazapine had fewer methamphetamine-positive urine samples over time and showed a reduction in use over time
- - Peer-reviewed research:
    - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31825466/
    - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22065532/
  - Learn more about mirtazapine pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics here.
ASAM/AAAP Clinical Practice Guideline
The ASAM/AAAP clinical practice guideline on the management of stimulant use disorders has several linked studies that support medication treatment recommendations for amphetamine-type and cocaine use disorders, including non-psychostimulant and psychostimulant medications (see pages 52-29)
- https://www.aaap.org/education/management-of-stimulant-use-disorder-guideline/