Use of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) in Fingernail Biting

Completed · Phase 3 · Has a placebo group

Conditions studied: Onychophagia

In brief

To conduct a pilot randomized placebo-controlled feasibility trial of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in onychophagia, preliminarily assessing the tolerability and effects of this pharmacotherapy on young adults who bite their fingernails. It is proposed that NAC will help decrease fingernail biting.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT01993849

Run by

Kevin Gray, MD

People needed

23

Starts

2013-10-01

Expected to finish

2015-06-01

Last updated by the study team

2018-10-03

Who can join

Age: 18 and older, up to 30. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• 1. Age 18-30 2. Fingernail biter for ≥5 years

You may not qualify if…

• 1. Any unstable major DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric disorder in the past month (e.g., psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder) 2. Current substance dependence in the past month 3. Current unstable major medical disorder or medical condition in the past 6 months (e.g., renal impairment) 4. Current pregnancy or breastfeeding 5. Current seizure disorder or asthma, due to possible elevated risk for adverse effects with NAC in individuals with these conditions 6. Known hypersensitivity to NAC 7. Use of carbamazepine or nitroglycerin (or any other medication deemed to be hazardous if taken with NAC) within 14 days of study participation

Where it is running

• Medical University of South Carolina — Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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