# Prevention of Methamphetamine Use among Postpartum Women (PROMPT)

> **NIH NIH R21** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2022 · $114,375

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
In the midst of the opioid epidemic, the methamphetamine epidemic has devastated the Western United States,
These twin epidemics have profoundly affected pregnant and postpartum women. Indeed, the majority of women
receiving care at the University of Utah's Substance Use and Pregnancy – Recovery, Addiction, Dependence
clinic have methamphetamine use disorder (MUD). Methamphetamine use (MU) frequently decreases during
pregnancy. The hormonal changes of pregnancy, specifically the increased levels of progesterone and its
metabolite allopregnanolone, may decrease craving and drug use among pregnant women. Conversely, the
precipitous postpartum hormonal drop may increase the risk of return to use. Studies of progesterone
supplementation in the postpartum period have shown promising results in reducing return to cocaine and
tobacco use among postpartum women. Our long-term goal is to advance the understanding of how pregnant
and postpartum women's unique physiology impacts the trajectory of MUD and to apply this knowledge to
developing novel interventions aimed at reducing MU in this population. The objective of this R21 application is
to test the feasibility, safety and preliminary efficacy of progesterone supplementation to reduce return to MU
among postpartum women and to explore the association between allopregnanolone levels and
methamphetamine craving. The rationale for this project is that progesterone will reduce return to MU among
postpartum women. This research study will pursue two specific aims: (1) To assess feasibility, safety, and
preliminary efficacy of micronized progesterone to decrease return to MU among postpartum women with MUD;
(2) To evaluate the association between salivary allopregnanolone levels and methamphetamine craving in
control and treatment groups. For Aim 1, we will randomize postpartum women with MUD who have achieved
abstinence for at least one month prior to delivery to micronized progesterone, which metabolizes into
allopregnanolone, or placebo and will assess MU over 12 weeks. We will track enrollment and retention of
women with MUD, safety of this intervention and establish preliminary efficacy of progesterone to reduce return
to MU. For Aim 2, we will test the hypothesis that increased allopregnanolone levels are correlated with reduced
methamphetamine cravings among postpartum women. This project is innovative as it addresses a significant
health issue facing this vulnerable population with a novel intervention. The proposed research is significant
because of its potential to improve public health by decreasing MU among postpartum women and to advance
scientific knowledge by investigating the association between allopregnanolone and methamphetamine cravings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10428613
- **Project number:** 5R21DA053463-02
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Marcela Smid
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $114,375
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-06-15 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10428613

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10428613, Prevention of Methamphetamine Use among Postpartum Women (PROMPT) (5R21DA053463-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10428613. Licensed CC0.

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