A common medication for severe obesity in children

Toward Repurposing a Commonly-Used Medication for the Treatment of Pediatric Severe Obesity

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · NIH-11115706

This project is testing if a common medication, along with lifestyle changes, can help children aged 6 to under 12 manage severe obesity.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA (nih funded)
Locations1 site (MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11115706 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Severe obesity in children is a serious and long-lasting health issue that often continues into adulthood. While lifestyle changes are important, they are not always enough to significantly reduce weight. This project aims to find safe, effective, and affordable medications to help children with severe obesity. Researchers are conducting a pilot clinical trial to see if a commonly used medication, lisdexamfetamine, can be a helpful addition to lifestyle therapy for these children.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this type of research would be children aged 6 to under 12 years old who have severe obesity.

Not a fit: Patients outside the specified age range or those without severe obesity may not directly benefit from this particular medication approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this medication could offer a new, safe, and effective option to help children with severe obesity achieve better health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While psychostimulants are known to have a favorable effect on weight and a long safety record, this specific application for pediatric severe obesity is being explored in a pilot clinical trial.

Where this research is happening

MINNEAPOLIS, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.