Treatment on Iatrogenic Weight Gain and Dyslipidaemia Associated With Olanzapine
Condition: Schizophrenia
MeSH terms: Dyslipidemias; Weight Gain; Schizophrenia
Intervention: GWP42003 : GWP42004 (40:1); Placebo
Intervention description: Capsules taken once a day for 6 weeks; Capsules taken once a day for 6 weeks
Phase: Phase 2
Study type: Interventional
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple (Participant, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Enrollment: 2.0
Sex: All
Minimum age: 18 Years
Healthy volunteers: No
Keywords: Schizophrenia; Functional psychosis; Schizophreniform; Acute psychosis

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