Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of lorcaserin in cocaine use disorder

Abstract

Background: Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a major public health problem for which there is no approved pharmacotherapy. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of lorcaserin, a 5-hydroxytryptamine_{2 C} (5-HT_{2 C}) receptor agonist, to facilitate abstinence in individuals seeking treatment for CUD.

Methods: This was a 12-site, randomized, parallel arm study with a 13-week Treatment Phase that included a 1-week, single-blind run-in period when all participants received twice daily 15mg acetazolamide capsules (a medication adherence marker), followed by randomization to either twice daily 10mg lorcaserin or placebo capsules for the remaining 12 weeks. Pre-randomization data were utilized in an enrichment strategy aimed at achieving high levels of medication adherence and low placebo response rates in a subgroup of participants that qualified for the "efficacy population." For lorcaserin vs. placebo, the primary efficacy endpoint was the proportion of participants in the efficacy population achieving abstinence during the last three weeks of treatment, as evidenced by self-report of no cocaine use, confirmed by urine testing.

Results: Within the efficacy population, 1.1% of 91 participants receiving lorcaserin and 4.3% of 92 receiving placebo achieved abstinence during the last 3 weeks of treatment. Among all randomized participants, 2.5% of 118 receiving lorcaserin and 5.6% of 124 receiving placebo achieved similar abstinence. Study participants receiving lorcaserin exhibited significantly greater reductions in body weight and BMI, indicating that medication adherence was sufficient to produce a pharmacological effect.

Conclusions: Twice daily 10mg lorcaserin failed to demonstrate efficacy in the treatment of CUD.

Keywords: 5-HT(2C); Alcohol use disorder; Cocaine use disorder; Lorcaserin; Treatment.