NCT01825798

Treatment of Overweight Induced by Antipsychotic Medication in Young People With Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 3
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 6 Years – 17 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether metformin is safe and effective in the treatment of weight or weight gain in young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) who are currently taking atypical antipsychotic medication.

Detailed description

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-site randomized trial to evaluate oral fixed dose metformin (Riomet®) in decreasing weight or weight gain in children ages 6-17 years, 4 months with ASD who are currently taking atypical antipsychotic medication. A 16-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of metformin with dose guided by age will be conducted. A secondary study aim will be to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of metformin by conducting a 16-week open label continuation.

Conditions

• Overweight
• Autism Spectrum Disorder

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DRUG	Metformin	Metformin will be dispensed in a liquid suspension of 100 mg/mL. For children 6-9 years of age, metformin will be started at 250 mg at their evening meal for 1 week, followed by the addition of a 250 mg dose at breakfast for 1 week. At the Week 2 visit, if metformin is well-tolerated, the dose will be increased to 500 mg twice daily. For children from 10-17 years of age, metformin will be started at 250 mg at their evening meal for 1 week, followed by the addition of a 250 mg dose at breakfast for 1 week. At the Week 2 visit, if metformin is well-tolerated, the dose will be increased to 500 mg twice daily. At the Week 4 visit, if metformin is well-tolerated, the dose will be increased to 850 mg twice daily.
DRUG	Placebo	The placebo hydrochloride oral solution will be prepared to match the appearance, smell and taste of the metformin as closely as possible. For children from 6-9 years of age, placebo will be started at 250 mg at their evening meal for 1 week, followed by the addition of a 250 mg dose at breakfast for 1 week. At the Week 2 visit, if placebo is well-tolerated, the dose will be increased to 500 mg twice daily. For children from 10-17 years of age, placebo will be started at 250 mg at their evening meal for 1 week, followed by the addition of a 250 mg dose at breakfast for 1 week. At the Week 2 visit, if placebo is well-tolerated, the dose will be increased to 500 mg twice daily. At the Week 4 visit, if placebo is well-tolerated, the dose will be increased to 850 mg twice daily.

Timeline

• Start date: 2013-04-01
• Primary completion: 2015-06-01
• Completion: 2015-10-01
• First posted: 2013-04-08
• Last updated: 2025-07-16
• Results posted: 2018-02-22

Locations

4 sites across 2 countries: United States, Canada