treatment on iatrogenic weight gain and dyslipidaemia associated with olanzapine

Conditions: Schizophrenia

Summary: olanzapine is one of the most effective and best tolerated of the atypical antipsychotics, but it is also particularly associated with weight gain and metabolic problems. this study is being conducted by gw pharma ltd as a pilot study in order to determine the efficacy and safety of two medications gw42003 and gw42004 as a 40:1 ratio when combined with the subjects existing treatment of olanzapine in subjects with weight gain attributable to olanzapine treatment for functional psychosis. this is the first study to determine whether the study medications have a positive benefit for subjects on their cholesterol levels, body weight and other metabolic parameters, as well as a potential augmentation of the anti-psychotic effect of olanzapine. this is a multi-centre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group pilot study. there will be two groups of subjects (gwp42003 plus gwp42004 (40:1 ratio) and placebo), with a treatment duration of 6 weeks as well as a baseline period of variable length and one week follow-up. the two treatment groups will be randomised equally. in order to be eligible for enrollment in this study, subjects will need to be aged 18 years and above and be clinically diagnosed with functional psychosis and receiving olanzapine treatment for no more than 3 months with evidence of weight gain attributable to olanzapine treatment. eligible subjects will enter the study at a screening visit (visit 1) and commence a baseline period. subjects will also be assessed at visit 2 for further weight gain during the baseline period. the baseline period is flexible in length to allow time for this weight gain to be achieved and also for the olanzapine dose to be stabilised. if eligible the subject will be randomised into the 6-week treatment phase. there are a total of 6 visits in the study.


Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * diagnosis (dsm-iv) of schizophrenia or functional psychosis including schizophreniform and acute psychosis with schizophrenia symptoms * receiving olanzapine treatment for no more than 3 months * the dose of olanzapine is stable for at least 2 weeks prior to randomisation (visit 2) and subject is willing to maintain a stable dose of olanzapine for the duration of the study * evidence of weight gain in the last 3 months attributable to olanzapine, prior to screening (visit 1). wherever possible, investigator must exclude other possible causes of weight gain, such as change in exercise, diet, or other illnesses * each subject must have further weight gain attributable to olanzapine, in the baseline period (between visits 1 and 2) no more than 5 months subsequent to commencement of olanzapine treatment * willing to maintain a stable dose of any concomitant medications, and have been on a stable dose for a minimum of 6 weeks (with the exception of olanzapine) * no changes in diet or exercise for 6 weeks prior to screening (visit 1) and subject agrees to maintain stability, for the duration of the study (in the opinion of the investigator) exclusion criteria: * subject has axis i (dsm-iv) diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder; * subject has drug induced or toxic psychosis (in the opinion of the investigator) * subject presents with a clinical picture and/ or history that is consistent with delirium, dementia, amnesia or other cognitive disorder; bipolar disorder or major depression * subject has a significant history of anxiety, suicidal ideation or self-harm based on history or routine psychiatric status examination (in the opinion of the investigator) * subject has an unstable thyroid pathology (including hypo or hyperthyroidism), within the past six months (in the opinion of the investigator) * subject has a history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome; * subject requires or has had electroconvulsive therapy (ect) treatment in the 2 month period prior to randomisation (visit 2) * subject has a clinical diagnosis of diabetes * subject is taking insulin (i.e. they are insulin dependent) or have had insulin within 6 months prior to the screening visit (visit 1); * any known or suspected history of (in the opinion of the investigator): * alcohol or substance abuse * epilepsy or recurrent seizures * any known or suspected history of depression sufficient to require treatment or disrupt ordinary life (excluding episodes of reactive depression - in the opinion of the investigator) * bdi score ≥ 15 (at visit 1 or 2) * clinically significant cardiac, renal or hepatic impairment in the opinion of the investigator * genetic dyslipidaemic condition in the opinion of the investigator * female patients of child-bearing potential and male patients whose partner is of child-bearing potential, unless willing to ensure that they or their partner use effective contraception, for example, oral contraception, double barrier, intra-uterine device, during the study and for three months thereafter (however, a male condom should not be used in conjunction with a female condom as this may not prove effective) * travel outside the country of residence planned during the study treatment period * having received olanzapine treatment continuously for more than 3 months prior to screening (visit 1) * received an investigational medicinal product within the 90 days before the screening visit (visit 1) * any other significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, influence the result of the study, or the subject's ability to participate in the study

Keywords: schizophrenia functional psychosis schizophreniform acute psychosis