Does GLP-1RA Prevent Deterioration of Metabolic State in Prediabetic and Diabetic Patients Treated With Antipsychotic Medication?

Summary

Background and objective:

Clozapine and olanzapine are some of the most effective antipsychotic drugs, but unfortunately, both drugs induce weight gain and conveys a high degree of metabolic disturbances. The antipsychotic-induced side-effects cause a major clinical problem among patients diagnosed with schizophrenia receiving antipsychotic treatment. Limited effects have been demonstrated for counteracting the side-effects by the switch of antipsychotic therapy, non-pharmacological/behavioural interventions or adjunct pharmacological treatments. Semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA,) is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes worldwide. The objective of the study is to investigate effects of semaglutide once-weekly vs. semaglutide placebo once-weekly on the metabolic state in prediabetic or diabetic patients with schizophrenia, who have initiated treatment with clozapine or olanzapine.

Methods and analysis:

Trial design, intervention and participants: The study is a 26-week, double-blinded, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, good clinical practice (GCP)-monitored, clinical trial. 104 prediabetic or diabetic patients diagnosed with a schizophrenia, age 18 years and 65 years, who have initiated of clozapine- or olanzapine-treatment within 5 years will be included in the study. The patients will be randomized to receive blinded treatment in one of the two study arms; semaglutide once-weekly vs. semaglutide placebo. All participants who complete the 26 weeks of intervention, will be invited for a follow up visit 1.5 yeras after study completion.

The primary endpoint is the change from baseline in glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). Secondary endpoints include change in body weight, hip and waist circumference, vitals, and plasma levels of insulin, glucose, C-peptid, insulin sensitivity, beta cell function, glucagon, liver function, lipid profile, incretin hormones, lipid profile, bone makers, body composition, bone density and proteomic analyses. Additional endpoints include alcohol, tobacco and drug use, food preferences, psychopathology, activity and quality of life.

Conditions

• Metabolic Disturbance
• Schizophrenia
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Clozapine
• GLP-1
• Olanzapine

Interventions

DRUG

Semaglutide, 1.34 mg/mL

Semaglutide 1.34 mg/ml, 1.5 ml pre-filled pen-injector is supplied in pens for injection containing 2.0 mg of the GLP-1RA semaglutide in 1.5 ml sterile water with disodiumphosphate and propylenglycol, and phenol for conservation (pH 8.15). Direction for use will be given together with trial products.The possible doses of semaglutide are 0.25 mg, 0.50 mg and 1.0 mg. The initial weekly dose will be 0.25 mg for four weeks, then 0.5 mg for four weeks and then 1.0 mg for the remaining treatment period. Patients who, due to adverse events, do not tolerate up-titration to 1.0 mg semaglutide will remain on 0.5 mg once-weekly. The injection is administered subcutaneously once-weekly.

DRUG

Semaglutide-placebo

The semaglutide placebo pens contain "XX-vehicle" (no active drug) and are administered in the same way and volume as semaglutide. The semaglutide placebo is specially packed for this study and will be used in the study only. The initial weekly dose will be 0.25 mg for four weeks, then 0.5 mg for four weeks and then 1.0 mg for the remaining treatment period. Patients who, due to adverse events, do not tolerate up-titration to 1.0 mg semaglutide placebo will remain on 0.5 mg once-weekly. The injection is administered once-weekly. If the lowest tolerated dose is less than 0.5 mg of semaglutide placebo once-weekly, the patient will be excluded from the study.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Anders Fink-Jensen, MD, DMSci

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Anders Fink-Jensen, MD · Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-09-01

Primary Completion

2026-03-01

Completion

2026-08-01

Countries

• Denmark

Study Locations