Using acetazolamide to treat treatment-resistant schizophrenia

Is this trial a fit for you?

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

What this trial studies

This is a double-blind, randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy of acetazolamide as an adjunctive treatment for individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The study aims to enroll patients aged 18-55 who have shown inadequate response to standard antipsychotic medications. Participants will receive either acetazolamide or a placebo while continuing their stable dose of antipsychotic drugs. The trial seeks to evaluate improvements in both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, leveraging previous findings that indicated acetazolamide may enhance treatment outcomes.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Written informed consent.
* Both genders, ages 18-55 years (older patients may not tolerate high ACZ dose).
* PANSS total score \> 60 and Score \> 4 on one or more items of the 'positive' syndrome items (P1-P7), following treatment at therapeutic doses for 6 weeks with different APDs on 2 occasions.
* Stable dose of antipsychotic drug (APD) for \> 1 month, continued throughout the study.
* Not participating in another randomized controlled clinical trial (RCT).

Exclusion Criteria:

* Substance abuse in the past month/dependence past 6 months with the exception of methadone prescribed for opiate withdrawal.
* History or current medical/neurological illnesses that may lead to unstable course, e.g., epilepsy.
* Pregnancy.
* Acetazolamide (ACZ) contraindications: hypersensitivity to ACZ; history of renal hyperchloremic acidosis; Addison's disease/adrenal failure; chronic closed angle-closure glaucoma.
* Current or prior treatment with ACZ or history of hypersensitivity to ACZ.
* Intellectual disability as defined in DSM 5.

Where it's running

• University of Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting
• St John's Medical College Hospital
  Bangalore, India Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Vishwajit L Nimgaonkar, M.D., Ph.D. — University of Pittsburgh
• Study coordinator: Vishwajit L Nimgaonkar, M.D., Ph.D.
• Email: vishwajitNL@upmc.edu
• Phone: 412-246-6356

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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.