Could prozac or DHEA protect against dangerous low blood sugar in diabetes?
NCT ID NCT03228732
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early-phase study is testing whether the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) and/or the hormone DHEA can improve the body's ability to defend against low blood sugar in people with type 1 diabetes. About 60 adults will take the drugs or a placebo for 8 weeks, then undergo two-day hospital visits where their responses to low blood sugar are measured. The goal is to understand how these substances affect stress hormones and metabolism, not to treat diabetes itself.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Fluoxetine (Prozac) and/or DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a way to help people with type 1 diabetes better recognize and respond to low blood sugar, reducing dangerous episodes.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study (60 people) testing body responses, not a treatment. The high DHEA dose may have unknown side effects, and results may not lead to a practical therapy.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Maryland
RECRUITINGBaltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
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