Old drug, new trick: metoclopramide may restore low blood sugar warning signs

NCT ID NCT03970720

Symptom relief Sponsor: Simon Fisher Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This phase 2 trial tests whether metoclopramide, a drug currently used for stomach issues, can restore the ability to feel low blood sugar symptoms in people with type 1 diabetes. About 36 participants will take either the drug or a placebo for four weeks. Researchers will measure changes in hormone levels and symptom recognition during controlled low blood sugar experiments.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Metoclopramide
What this could lead to: If it works, this could help people with type 1 diabetes better sense when their blood sugar drops, reducing the risk of severe hypoglycemia.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase trial with only 36 participants. Metoclopramide may not improve awareness or could cause side effects like drowsiness or restlessness.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 2

Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.

Participants

About 36 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Started

May 2019

Expected to finish

Dec 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

20 to 60 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Subjects with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus * Diabetes duration \> 5 years * Hemoglobin A1c ≤ 9% * Able to provide informed consent and willing to sign an approved consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines Exclusion Criteria: * History of myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia, congestive heart failure and coronary artery insufficiency * History of stroke or brain disease * History of genitourinary obstruction or urinary retention * Advanced liver disease * Active anemia with hemoglobin less than 11 g/dL * Female in pregnancy or breastfeeding, or not able to practice effective contraception during the study period * Uncontrolled mania or active major depressive disorder * Previous allergic reaction or side effect to heparin use * Contraindications to metoclopramide or conditions raising the risk for complication development to metoclopramide, such as hypersensitivity to metoclopramide, ongoing mechanical gastrointestinal obstruction, uncontrolled hypertension, pheochromocytoma, seizure disorders, Parkinson's disease, use of neuroleptics or antipsychotics within 6 months, use of benzodiazepines within the last month, active or recent (last 14 days) use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors or opioids, active alcohol or drug abuse, or other sedatives * Participation in another study evaluating treatment for impaired awareness of hypoglycemia or hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in the last 30 days * Current use of unblinded real-time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System * Frequent need of acetaminophen administration

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Hypoglycemia unawareness are added.

Vår säkerhetsrekommendation!

Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

type 1 diabetes mellitus

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Hypoglycemia unawareness

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

Open the record ↗
A doctor treating you

A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.

Old drug, new trick: metoclopramide may restore low blood sugar warning signs

What the study statuses mean