CI

At a glance

ClinicalIndex Comparison Record
Phase 3Completed· 626 enrolled
Drug / intervention
Symptom-based Dosing Approach +1 moreother
Likely dose
Not stated in record
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Search/NCT05980260
NCT05980260Phase 3Completed

Optimizing Pharmacologic Treatment for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (OPTimize NOW): A Symptom-Based Dosing Approach

HELP for NOWS Consortium·interventional·Posted Aug 7, 2023·Updated May 18, 2026

In Brief

A Phase 3 clinical trial evaluating Symptom-based Dosing Approach and Scheduled Opioid Taper Approach for Neonatal Opiate Withdrawal Syndrome. Completed, enrolled 626 participants across 23 sites.

Detailed Summary

This clinical trial will help us learn more about how to best care for babies with Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome, also called NOWS. Babies with NOWS often have tremors, a hard time sleeping, excessive crying, and trouble feeding. Some babies that have NOWS need medicine. Doctors have two ways of providing medicine that are widely used today: 1. Scheduled opioid taper approach. The baby gets medicine at regular times. As symptoms get better, the amount of medicine the baby gets decreases until the baby no longer needs medicine. This is called a medicine taper. 2. Symptom-based approach. The baby will only get medicine when they show signs of NOWS, instead of at regular times. If the baby is showing no signs of NOWS, no medicine will be given. We are doing the OPTimize NOW study to figure out the best way to give medicine to babies with NOWS.

Study Details

Study Typeinterventional
Allocation--
Masking--
Primary Purpose--
CountriesUnited States

Timeline

Phase 3CompletedFinished
202420252026
First PostedAug 7, 2023
Enrollment StartMar 25, 2024
Primary CompletionMay 27, 2025
Study CompletionJul 15, 2025
TodayJul 2, 2026
Enrollment to primary: 1.2 yearsPosted 2.9 years ago

Interventions

Symptom-based Dosing Approachother

During this approach to care, all enrolled infants with NOWS at the study site will be treated with the symptom-based dosing approach if they meet the withdrawal threshold for pharmacologic treatment. Participants may receive up to 3 doses of the study site's preferred opioid during a 24-hour period to treat signs of withdrawal once the threshold for pharmacologic intervention is met. If a 4th dose is required within a 24-hour period, the study site will transition to the scheduled opioid taper algorithm used at the study site to complete the infant's pharmacologic treatment.

Scheduled Opioid Taper Approachother

During this approach to care, all enrolled infants with NOWS at the study site will be treated with the study site's usual scheduled opioid taper approach, as detailed in each site's treatment algorithm, if they meet the withdrawal threshold for pharmacologic treatment.