Old drug, new hope: could acetazolamide ease tough schizophrenia symptoms?

NCT ID NCT04887792

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Vishwajit Nimgaonkar, MD PhD Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 08, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tests whether acetazolamide, a drug currently used for altitude sickness and glaucoma, can reduce positive symptoms (like hallucinations or delusions) in people with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Sixty adults aged 18-55 who still have significant symptoms despite trying two different antipsychotics will receive either acetazolamide or a placebo pill, added to their current medication. The main goal is to see if the drug improves symptom severity over several weeks.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: acetazolamide (Diamox)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a new add-on treatment for people with schizophrenia whose symptoms don't improve with standard antipsychotics.
What could go wrong: This is an early Phase 1/2 trial with only 60 participants, so results may not apply widely. Acetazolamide can cause side effects like tingling, nausea, or kidney issues.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Psychotic Disorders schizoaffective disorder schizophrenia treatment-refractory schizophrenia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

SCHIZO AFFECTIVE DISORDER SCHIZOPHRENIA

Contacts and locations

Locations

St John's Medical College Hospital
RECRUITING

Bangalore, India
University of Pittsburgh
RECRUITING

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, United States

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