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NCT05744479RecruitingPhase 4

Metformin for Antipsychotic-induced Weight Gain in Adults With Intellectual Disability

Metformin for Antipsychotic-induced Weight Gain in Adults With Intellectual Disability: A Double-Blind Randomized Control Trial

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Last updated 31 Mar 2026

Brief summary (registry, in English)

People with IDD (intellectual and developmental disability) have very high rates of obesity and die prematurely from cardiometabolic disease. While antipsychotics contribute to this problem, their use is necessary and appropriate in a significant subgroup of individuals with IDD. Exercise and diet interventions have limitations and may not be sufficient, requiring effective adjunctive pharmacological approaches to target obesity and related comorbidities in IDD. However, persons with IDD treated with antipsychotics are systematically excluded from clinical trials hindering development of evidence to help guide safe and effective treatment of these comorbidities. Moreover, evidence from other disorders cannot be extrapolated to IDD given inherent biological differences between disorders. This trial will address the identified gaps, which extend beyond cardiovascular morbidity and negatively impact psychosocial outcomes, in a hugely underserviced population.This is the the first RCT (randomized control trial) to examine the efficacy of metformin in overweight or obese adults with IDD who have experienced antipsychotic-induced weight gain. By generating efficacy data for a very accessible and scalable intervention, allows for guideline and implementation strategies to address a recalcitrant health problem.

Status (registry)
Recruiting
Phase (registry)
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
100 (estimated)
First submitted
13 Jan 2023
Start date
28 Feb 2023
Primary completion date
1 Mar 2027
Lead sponsor
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Diseases
Obesity
NCT number
NCT05744479

What you commit to

  • Study type: Interventional · Phase 4
  • Planned participants: 100
  • From 28 Feb 2023 to the primary completion date, 1 Mar 2027
  • 1 site in 1 country
  • Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study design.

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Prior treatment

  • Previous treatment and lack of efficacy or tolerability with metformin
  • Treatment with weight-lowering agents
  • Medications with significant renal impact
  • Major medical or surgical event in the preceding 3 months

Other illness

  • History of metabolic acidosis or lactic acidosis
  • Moderate to severe substance use disorder, other than caffein or nicotine use disorder

Lab values

  • Clinical or laboratory evidence of uncompensated cardiovascular, endocrine, haematological, hepatic, renal, or pulmonary disease
  • History or diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) or Type 2 Diabetes (TD2) or fasting blood work, HbA1c \> 6.5%

Other

  • Females who are nursing, currently pregnant, or have a positive pregnancy test
  • Acute suicidal risk.

Who the study is looking for

  • Stable outpatients
  • Age 16-65 years
  • Diagnosed with an IDD
  • On maintenance treatment with an antipsychotic (stable dose for ≥3 months).
  • BMI must be ≥30 kg/m2, OR ≥27 kg/m2 with at least one weight-related comorbidity (treated or untreated) such as: hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnea, or impaired fasting glucose, OR \>=25 for individuals who have gained \> 5% body weight in association with AP use.
  • Females of child-bearing age must be on one of the following regular contraceptives:
    • Agree to abstain from sex for the duration of the trial or
    • A barrier method of a diaphragm with spermicide and/or Latex condom or
    • An oral contraceptive agent, implantable contraceptive or an injectable contraceptive for at least six months prior to entering the study and will continue its use throughout the study, or
    • An intrauterine device, or
    • Partner has had a vasectomy at least 3 months prior to study start

Age in the registry: 16 years to 65 years · Sex: All · Does not accept healthy volunteers

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov

Sites (1)

Sites in registry order. Save your city in your profile to sort them by distance.

SiteCityCountrySite status
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Coordinator of this site? Confirm its status
TorontoCanadaRecruiting

This page is information, not medical advice. Discuss any trial with your doctor.