An ACE Inhibitor (Perindopril) or an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (Candesartan) as a Treatment for Methamphetamine Dependence

Exclusion Criteria

• •Have any previous medically adverse reaction to MA, including loss of consciousness, chest pain, or epileptic seizure.
• •Have neurological or psychiatric disorders, such as: episode of major depression within the past 2 years as assessed by MINI; lifetime history of schizophrenia, other psychotic illness, or bipolar illness as assessed by MINI; current organic brain disease or dementia assessed by clinical interview; history of or any current psychiatric disorder which would require ongoing treatment or which would make study compliance difficult; history of suicide attempts within the past three months and/or current suicidal ideation/plan; history of psychosis occurring in the absence of current MA use.
• •Meet DSM-IV criteria for abuse or dependence on alcohol or other drugs, except for nicotine or marijuana.
• •Have evidence of clinically significant heart disease or hypertension, as determined by the PI.
• •Have evidence of untreated or unstable medical illness including: neuroendocrine, autoimmune, renal, hepatic, or active infectious disease.
• •Have HIV and are currently symptomatic, have a diagnosis of AIDS, or are receiving antiretroviral medication.
• •Be pregnant or nursing. Other females must either be unable to conceive (i.e., surgically sterilized, sterile, or post-menopausal) or be using a reliable form of contraception (e.g., abstinence, birth control pills, intrauterine device, condoms, or spermicide). All females must provide negative pregnancy urine tests before study entry, and weekly throughout the study.
• •Have any history of asthma, chronic coughing and wheezing, or other chronic respiratory illnesses.
• •Currently use alpha or beta agonists, theophylline, or other sympathomimetics.
• •Have any other illness, condition, or use of medications, which in the opinion of the P.I. and/or the admitting physician would preclude safe and/or successful completion of the study.
• •Participants with asthma or who take medications for asthma are excluded due to potential adverse interactions between treatment medications and MA. Participants who use alcohol heavily are excluded due to the potential of withdrawal symptoms in the hospital. Participants with active HIV disease are excluded to avoid potentially exacerbating their underlying illness and because of potential drug interactions. Reliable methods of birth are required to prevent pregnancy, and the use of frequent urine pregnancy tests will exclude women who become pregnant. This is important because perindopril can produce significant birth defects.
• •Criteria for Discontinuation Following Initiation:
• •Participants will be discharged if they have a positive breath test indicating use of alcohol or a urine test indicating use of illicit use of drugs while on the study, if they do not comply with study procedures, or if they do not tolerate MA.