A study testing whether a new weekly shot from T. John Winhusen, PhD, tirzepatide, can help people use less opioids.

This is the exact wording from ClinicalTrials.gov, including clinical measures (lab values, imaging scores). Bring it to your doctor if any of it is unclear.

Key inclusion criteria

• Must be >=18 years of age;
• Must have moderate to severe OUD;
• Must, at the time of randomization, be newly initiated on BUP (i.e., within 7 to 60 days) during the current treatment episode, be taking >= the recommended target dose for transmucosal BUP (or equivalent for extended-release), and have documentation of receiving BUP, including dose and the start date of the current treatment episode, from their BUP provider, and, for participants prescribed transmucosal BUP, have at least one UDS positive for buprenorphine/norbuprenorphine;
• Must be willing to be randomized to tirzepatide or placebo and to comply with study procedures, including weekly visits for 6 months;
• Must be able to understand the study, and having understood, provide written informed consent in English;

Key exclusion criteria

• have a history of type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (other than pregnancy-related diabetes);
• have a BMI <23.0 kg/m²;
• have any of the following cardiovascular conditions within 90 days prior to signing consent: acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident (stroke), unstable angina, or hospitalization due to congestive heart failure (CHF);
• have a known history of chronic or acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, gastroparesis, gastric emptying abnormality, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or other severe gastrointestinal disease;
• have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2);