St Vincent’s Clinic Research Foundation is proud to support innovative research exploring new treatment options for some of the most challenging health conditions. One such study, is investigating the potential of combining two widely available medications—naltrexone and bupropion—as a treatment for methamphetamine use disorder.  This innovative research is showing promising results, offering new hope for individuals struggling with addiction.

Currently, there are no approved medications for methamphetamine use disorder, a condition that has a significant impact on individuals and communities. Recent research from the United States has explored combining a long-acting injectable form of naltrexone with bupropion, an oral medication. While the long-acting injectable form is unavailable in Australia, both medications are already combined in a tablet form for weight loss. This study, conducted at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, aimed to assess whether this combination could be a safe and effective treatment for methamphetamine use disorder.

The Research Status

The study enrolled 20 participants from a specialist outpatient stimulant treatment program at St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney Alcohol and Drug Service for a 12-week trial of daily oral naltrexone/bupropion. Throughout the trial, participants were carefully monitored for safety and adherence, with support provided through regular check-ins and a smartphone app. The results are promising: 15 participants completed the full 12 weeks of treatment and there were no significant safety concerns.

The team is currently analysing the data and preparing it for publication in 2025. Early findings suggest that the oral combination of naltrexone and bupropion is a feasible and safe treatment for methamphetamine use disorder. This opens the door for further studies, including more extensive trials to assess the treatment’s efficacy. It also highlights the potential of repurposing existing medications to expand treatment options, even in lower-resource settings.

This research has also fostered important international collaborations with experts from Canada and the United States, strengthening the global reach of this research.

Looking Ahead

Building on these results, the research team is applying for additional funding to conduct a randomised controlled trial further to test the efficacy of the naltrexone/bupropion combination. This work, in collaboration with the National Centre for Clinical Research in Emerging Drugs (NCCRED), is helping to solidify St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney’s position as a global leader in addiction medicine research.

The project has also bolstered the career of 2024 SVCRF Grant Recipient Dr Brendan Clifford, an early-career nursing clinician-researcher, by providing critical support for his development as a leader in addiction medicine research.

This research highlights the importance of supporting clinical studies on addiction and mental health, helping to expand treatment options and improve outcomes for those affected. We are deeply grateful to our donors for making this vital work possible.