Could a Weight-Loss drug curb meth addiction? new trial aims to find out
NCT ID NCT07204249
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether semaglutide (Wegovy), a drug used for diabetes and weight loss, can help people with moderate to severe methamphetamine use disorder cut back or stop using. The trial has two parts: a small pilot study with 25 people, followed by a larger randomized trial with 162 participants who will receive either semaglutide or a placebo. Researchers will measure meth use through hair tests, urine tests, and self-reports over 12 weeks.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Semaglutide (Wegovy)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new medication to help people reduce or stop methamphetamine use.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early phase 2 trial with only 162 people, so results may not apply widely. Side effects from semaglutide are possible, and the drug may not reduce meth use as hoped.
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
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 162 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2026
- Expected to finish
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Feb 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide 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: Participants are eligible to be included in the study only if all of the following criteria apply: 1. Ability to provide informed consent before any study-related activity, willing to comply with all study procedures, and be available for the duration of the study, 2. Age 18 - 65 years inclusive, 3. Moderate to severe Methamphetamine Use Disorder by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID), 4. Self-reported methamphetamine use ≥15 days out of the past 30, 5. Methamphetamine-positive urine during screening and run-in period, 6. Interested in stopping or reducing meth use, 7. BMI ≥ 25kg/m2, 8. Have at least 1 centimeter of scalp hair, 9. Agree (if the participant is of child-bearing potential) to use effective contraceptive methods, unless all of the participant's male partner(s) is/are surgically sterile (underwent vasectomy). Acceptable contraceptives include oral contraceptives, contraceptive sponge, patch, double barrier (diaphragm/spermicidal or condom/spermicidal), intrauterine contraceptive system, etonogestrel implant, medroxyprogesterone acetate contraceptive injection, complete abstinence from sexual intercourse, and/or hormonal vaginal ring. Contraceptive measures sold for emergency use after unprotected sex are not acceptable methods for routine use. Women of child-bearing potential must provide negative urine pregnancy test prior to randomization. Note: A woman is considered fertile (of childbearing potential) following menarche and until becoming postmenopausal unless permanently sterile. Women in the following categories are not considered of childbearing potential: premenarcheal, premenopausal female with one of the following: documented hysterectomy, documented bilateral salpingectomy, documented bilateral oophorectomy. Postmenopausal female is defined as no menses for 12 months without an alternative medical cause. Females on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and whose menopausal status is in doubt will be required to use one of the non-hormonal highly effective contraception methods if they wish to continue their HRT during the trial. 10. Be able to provide the names of at least 2 persons who can consistently locate their whereabouts. Exclusion Criteria: Participants are excluded from the study if any of the following criteria apply: 1. Uncontrolled hypertension or systolic BP \>160 mmHg and/or diastolic BP \>90 mmHg, averaged from three measurements, 2. Diabetes (type 1 or 2), hemoglobin A1c ≥ 6.5 at screening, or history of diabetic ketoacidosis, 3. History or current hypoglycemia (blood glucose \<70 mg/dL), 4. History of malignant neoplasms within the past 5 years prior to screening. Basal and squamous cell skin cancer and any carcinoma in-situ are allowed. 5. History of heart failure or severe gastrointestinal disease (including acute or chronic pancreatitis, any gastric emptying disorder, gallbladder disease; any gastric resection), 6. Personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A or 2B, 7. Impaired renal function (estimated GFR \<60 ml/min), 8. Lipase, amylase, direct (conjugated) bilirubin, or alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 1.5 times the upper limit of normal, or ALT or AST more than 2.5 times the upper limit of normal, 9. Calcitonin value equal to or above 50 ng/L, 10. History of retinopathy, 11. Women who are currently pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, or lactating, or of childbearing potential and are not using medically accepted forms of contraception (see inclusion criterion 9 regarding medically accepted forms of contraception). 12. Acute or chronic illnesses likely to result in hospitalization or death during trial participation, 13. Plan to have all hair removed or chemically treat hair during study, Psychiatric/Substance Use Exclusions: 1. Moderate to severe opioid, cocaine, or alcohol use disorder, 2. Current non-drug-induced psychotic disorder by Structured Clinical Interview for DSM Disorders (SCID), 3. History of a suicide attempt or past 30-day suicidal ideation, 4. Have any psychiatric illness or condition which in the opinion of the PI and/or the Study Physician would preclude safe and/or successful completion of the study, Weight-related exclusions: 1\. Uncontrolled thyroid disease, Medication-related exclusions: 1. Past 30 day use of sulfonylureas, insulin and insulin products, or medication used for weight management (e.g., orlistat, naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, semaglutide, tirzepatide, phentermine, topiramate, benzhetamine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine). 2. Prior use of or known hypersensitivity to any GLP-1 agonist, 3. Any otherwise not specified concomitant medication that could compromise participant safety or treatment in the opinion of the Study Physician and/or the PIs, General exclusions: 1. Current, anticipated, or pending enrollment in another addiction treatment program and/or research study that could potentially affect participant safety and/or the study data/design as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician. 2. Planning to leave the area during the trial, 3. Surgery scheduled during the trial, except for minor surgical procedures that, in the opinion of the PI and/or the Study Physician, will not require general anesthesia with the risk of aspiration, 4. Unable to communicate (read, write, and speak) fluently in English, OR 5. Any other condition that, in the PI's judgment, interferes with safe study participation or adherence to study procedures.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Center on Substance Use and Health
RECRUITINGSan Francisco, California, 94102, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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