Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 2 Interventional Ages 18 to 65

Glutide for Ending Methamphetamine

Run by San Francisco Department of Public Health · NCT07204249 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests Wegovy (semaglutide) to see if it can help people with methamphetamine use disorder reduce use or stop using it.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years to 65 Years
SexAll
Enrollment162 (estimated)
SponsorSan Francisco Department of Public Health
Government
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 26, 2026
Main results expectedFebruary 15, 2030
Study endsFebruary 15, 2030
Registry record updatedJune 3, 2026
Trial IDNCT07204249 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults aged 18–65 with moderate to severe methamphetamine use disorder who are motivated to reduce or stop use and meet all inclusion criteria.

Probably not a fit

Individuals not achieving reduction in meth use or experiencing intolerable side effects may not benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

GEM explores semaglutide as a treatment for methamphetamine use disorder in two phases. The first phase is a 12-week open-label pilot with 25 participants to assess feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy. The second phase is a 162-participant, randomized, placebo-controlled trial across two sites to determine true efficacy and determine if Wegovy helps reduce meth use compared with placebo. Participants must meet DSM criteria for moderate to severe methamphetamine use disorder and be willing to reduce or stop use, among other criteria. The study collects safety and outcome data over the treatment period and follow-up visits.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, Wegovy could become a new option to help people reduce or stop methamphetamine use.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research with similar GLP-1 receptor agonists has shown potential signals, but this exact approach is being tested in a larger, controlled study.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
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.

Where it's running

  • Center on Substance Use and Health
    San Francisco, California, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.