SchizophreniaPhase 4NCT03575000
Bromocriptine for Patients With Schizophrenia and Prediabetes
A Phase 4 study testing Bromocriptine in people with Schizophrenia and PreDiabetes, run by VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
This is a multicenter open-label, pilot study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of bromocriptine, a dopamine D2/D3 receptor and serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist, as an adjunct to preexisting standard-of-care antipsychotic drug (APD) regimens in the management of APD-associated impaired glucose tolerance… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Schizophrenia, PreDiabetes
- What is being tested?
- Bromocriptine
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 15 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 1 Jan 2026to 31 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adult males and females, 18-65 years of age, diagnosed with schizophrenia
- Female participants must test negative for pregnancy at the time of enrollment based on a urine pregnancy test and agree to use a reliable method of birth control (e.g., oral contraceptives, birth control diaphragms with contraceptive jelly, cervical caps with contraceptive jelly, condoms with contraceptive foam, intrauterine devices, partner with vasectomy, or abstinence) until the study is complete.
- Be treated with FDA-approved second generation antipsychotic medication for at least 3 months, with no change in dose in the 1 month prior to enrollment.
- Either fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL inclusive and/or an A1C in the range between 5.7-6.4%
- Body mass index at least 30 kg/m2 at screening visit.
- Subject must be willing to provide contact information for a close family member or friend that will contact the study team if the participant exhibits signs of psychological deterioration
- Subject's primary mental health provider concurs that study enrollment is acceptable
Who cannot join
- History of documented APD non-adherence in prior 3 months.
- Historical or current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (type 1, type 2, or other)
- Pregnant or breast feeding. Women of child-bearing potential must be surgically-sterile or using reliable methods of birth control.
- May not have used oral or parenteral systemic corticosteroids within 3 months prior to study enrollment or have expected use during the course of the study. The use of either inhaled or topical corticosteroids are not exclusion criteria.
- May not be taking any antidiabetic/antihyperglycemic medications (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, insulin, DPP-IV inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, etc.) currently or within 4 months prior to study enrollment.
- May not be taking any of the following cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inhibitors: protease inhibitors (atazanavir, boceprevir, darunavir, fosamprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, telaprevir); certain antibiotics/antifungals (clarithromycin, erythromycin, telithromycin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, voriconazole); nefazodone; aprepitant; imatinib; certain calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil); Valerian; or grapefruit/grapefruit juice.
Show all 12Show fewer
- May not be taking or have sensitivity to any dopamine agonist medications (e.g., bromocriptine, cabergoline, pramipexole,ropinirole, rotigotine, etc.) currently or within 3 months prior to study enrollment.
- May not be taking or have any sensitivity to any other ergot alkaloids (e.g., dihydroergotamine, ergotamine)
- PANSS score >90, which is equivalent to "moderately ill"
- Any current hepatic or renal disease
- Any documented history of violent behavior
- Diagnosis of Alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder in the past 12 months unless meeting remission criteria as defined by MINI.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15240
Mary McShea, MS, 412-360-2300, Mary.mcshea@va.gov
Ronald Codario, MD, 412-360-1441, Ronald.Codario@va.gov
About this study
Official title: Open-label, Flexible-dose Adjunctive Bromocriptine for Patients With Schizophrenia and Prediabetes
This is a multicenter open-label, pilot study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of bromocriptine, a dopamine D2/D3 receptor and serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist, as an adjunct to preexisting standard-of-care antipsychotic drug (APD) regimens in the management of APD-associated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)/insulin resistance (IR). The ultimate aim of the study team is to evaluate the efficacy of bromocriptine in treating the metabolic disturbances associated with APDs and the hypothesis is that bromocriptine will be a well-tolerated, safe, and inexpensive way to ameliorate these metabolic complications and prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study will be a small, short-duration pilot focusing on safety and tolerability. A total of 15 psychiatrically stable APD-treated adult outpatients, VA Pittsburgh , aged 18 to 65 years old, with a confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia and comorbid IGT will be recruited and receive 6 weeks of bromocriptine (flexibly titrated, 2.5-5.0 mg PO daily). Key inclusion criteria are: 1) currently being treated with second generation APDs for 3 or more months with no change in dose in the 1 month prior to enrollment, 2) fasting glucose 100 to 125mg/dL and/or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 5.7-6.4%. Key exclusions are: 1) prior APD nonadherence, 2) drug/alcohol abuse in the 3 months prior to screening, 3) a history of violent behavior/psychoses, 4) pregnancy, or 5) a diagnosis of diabetes. Subjects on other dopamine agonists or on medications that may interact with bromocriptine and those taking corticosteroids or other medications that may alter glucose levels will be excluded. The purposes of the study are to demonstrate safety/tolerability, demonstrate feasibility, provide proof of concept, and provide an open-label assessment of the metabolic and psychiatric effects of bromocriptine in patients with schizophrenia treated with APDs. The primary metabolic outcome measures will be change in IR as measured by the HOMA-IR and change in IGT measured by HbA1c. Secondary metabolic outcome measures include body weight, fasting lipids, and prolactin. The specific aims are as follows: Specific aim 1: To establish the safety and tolerability of bromocriptine in patients with schizophrenia and IGT/IR treated with APDs. Specific aim 2: To demonstrate feasibility/proof of concept for an improvement in APD-induced IGT/IR with bromocriptine.
Read the detailed description
Background: APDs are among the most widely prescribed medications for psychotic, mood, and anxiety disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Many APDs, currently available in the United States, particularly second generation APDs, have been associated to varying degrees with significant dysmetabolic side effects including insulin resistance (IR), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), hypertension, abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia. Indeed, 32% of patients taking olanzapine develop IR in addition to gaining at least 15% of their baseline bodyweight. These changes substantially increase the risk of developing T2D and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction in APD-treated patients is more than twice that of the general population and leads to poorer long-term outcomes.
Perhaps most concerning is that APD-treated individuals with schizophrenia have a 15-20-year reduction in life expectancy as compared to the general population, with APD-induced IR being a major contributor to this early mortality. Thus, preventing APD-induced metabolic dysfunction may have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Currently there is no consistently effective way to prevent APD-associated metabolic dysfunction and reduce the risk of T2D.
Most studies attempting to elucidate the underlying cause of APD-induced metabolic dysfunction have focused on regions of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with metabolic control (i.e. hypothalamus) because these drugs are utilized primarily to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms in the CNS. Consequently, numerous neurotransmitter and neuropeptide systems in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin, have been implicated in the development of APD-induced metabolic side effects.
Rationale: Bromocriptine is a dopamine D2/D3 receptor and serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist that the study team proposes as a potential treatment for APD-induced IR. It has received FDA approval for treatment of T2D, having been shown to significantly lower postprandial plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) without increasing insulin or C-peptide levels. To date, there are few studies using bromocriptine in schizophrenia. Although most of the studies have been small, the cumulative results have consistently shown safety and benefit in psychiatric patients. Bromocriptine, even when used at high doses, has been found to be safe in APD-treated patients despite theoretical concerns of exacerbating psychosis due to dopaminergic receptor agonism.
Design: This study is a multicenter open-label, dose-escalation pilot to evaluate the safety and tolerability of bromocriptine as an adjunct to preexisting standard-of-care antipsychotic drug (APD) regimens in the management of APD-associated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)/insulin resistance (IR). A total of fifteen APD-treated participants aged 18 to 60 years old with schizophrenia who have been psychiatrically stable for at least 3 months and show signs of IR (obesity [BMI > 30 kg/m2] plus impaired fasting glucose (100-125mg/dL) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (A1c 5.7-6.4%) will receive bromocriptine in an open-label, flexible-dose design. The initial dose will be 2.5mg which will be increased to the 5mg target dose by week one unless limited by side effects. Bromocriptine will be given as adjunctive treatment to a participant's current APD regimen. The ultimate aim of the study team is to evaluate the efficacy of bromocriptine in treating the metabolic disturbances associated with APDs and the overarching hypothesis is that bromocriptine will be a well-tolerated, safe, and inexpensive way to ameliorate these metabolic complications and prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in these at-risk patients. That said, this study will be a small, short-duration pilot focusing on safety and tolerability.
The main purposes of the study are to demonstrate safety/tolerability, demonstrate feasibility, provide proof of concept, and provide an open-label assessment of the metabolic and psychiatric effects of bromocriptine in patients with schizophrenia treated with APDs. Psychiatric symptoms will be measured by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI). General side effects of bromocriptine will be assessed by the UKU Side Effects Scale. The extrapyramidal side effects of APDs will be monitored via the Simpson-Angus Scale and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS).
- Conditions
- Schizophrenia, PreDiabetes
- Being tested
- Bromocriptine
- Medical subject headings
- Schizophrenia, Prediabetic State
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
BromocriptineDrug
Also called bromocriptine pill
This is an open-label study, so there is no comparator group. As such there is only one arm. Subjects will receive bromocriptine at a starting dose of 2.5mg daily which will be increased, if tolerated, to 5mg daily after one week. Bromocriptine will be continued for a total of 6 weeks. Laboratory investigations, telephonic interviews, and face to face visits with subjects will be conducted before, during, and after the time period that bromocriptine will be used as detailed in the study design section.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Bromocriptine | Experimental | This is an open-label study, so there is no comparator group. As such there is only one arm. Subjects will receive bromocriptine at a starting dose of 2.5mg daily which will be increased, if tolerated, to 5mg daily after one week. Bromocriptine will be continued for a total of 6 weeks. Laboratory investigations, telephonic interviews, and face to face visits with subjects will be conducted before, during, and after the time period that bromocriptine will be used as detailed in the study design section. Receives: Drug: Bromocriptine |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
HOMA-IR
The primary metabolic outcome measures will be change in IR as measured by HOMA-IR which is calculated with fasting insulin and glucose.
Measured: Measured at weeks 0, 4, 6 and 10 (week 10 is four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Secondary outcomes (7)
Weight
in kilograms
Measured: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Assesses risk of suicide
Measured: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
Assesses symptoms of schizophrenia
Measured: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Clinical Global Impression
Assesses general symptoms of psychiatric illness
Measured: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
UKU Side Effects Scale
Broad and general side effect assessment
Measured: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Simpson-Angus Scale
Assesses extrapyramidal side effects
Measured: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
Assesses extrapyramidal side effects
Measured: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jul 2018
- Study start1 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (16)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for SchizophreniaStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
- Sponsor type
- US federal agency
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ronald A. Codario, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
- Investigators
- Ronald Codario, M.D., Principal investigator, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03575000
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- PRO0002368
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 15 Jun 2018
- Last updated
- 22 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Baptista T, Martinez J, Lacruz A, Rangel N, Beaulieu S, Serrano A, Arape Y, Martinez M, de Mendoza S, Teneud L, Hernandez L. Metformin for prevention of weight gain and insulin resistance with olanzapine: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Can J Psychiatry. 2006 Mar;51(3):192-6. doi: 10.1177/070674370605100310.
PubMed 16618011Chiu CC, Lu ML, Huang MC, Chen PY, Lin YK, Lin SK, Chen CH. Effects of Low Dose Metformin on Metabolic Traits in Clozapine-Treated Schizophrenia Patients: An Exploratory Twelve-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. PLoS One. 2016 Dec 14;11(12):e0168347. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168347. eCollection 2016.
PubMed 27973619Correll CU. Acute and long-term adverse effects of antipsychotics. CNS Spectr. 2007 Dec;12(12 Suppl 21):10-4. doi: 10.1017/s1092852900015959. No abstract available.
PubMed 18389927Gaziano JM, Cincotta AH, O'Connor CM, Ezrokhi M, Rutty D, Ma ZJ, Scranton RE. Randomized clinical trial of quick-release bromocriptine among patients with type 2 diabetes on overall safety and cardiovascular outcomes. Diabetes Care. 2010 Jul;33(7):1503-8. doi: 10.2337/dc09-2009. Epub 2010 Mar 23.
PubMed 20332352Hennekens CH, Hennekens AR, Hollar D, Casey DE. Schizophrenia and increased risks of cardiovascular disease. Am Heart J. 2005 Dec;150(6):1115-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2005.02.007.
PubMed 16338246Kok P, Roelfsema F, Frolich M, van Pelt J, Stokkel MP, Meinders AE, Pijl H. Activation of dopamine D2 receptors simultaneously ameliorates various metabolic features of obese women. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Nov;291(5):E1038-43. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00567.2005. Epub 2006 Jun 27.
PubMed 16803851Lee MS, Song HC, An H, Yang J, Ko YH, Jung IK, Joe SH. Effect of bromocriptine on antipsychotic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia: eight-week randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2010 Feb;64(1):19-27. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2009.02032.x. Epub 2009 Nov 24.
PubMed 19968833Lehman AF, Lieberman JA, Dixon LB, McGlashan TH, Miller AL, Perkins DO, Kreyenbuhl J; American Psychiatric Association; Steering Committee on Practice Guidelines. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, second edition. Am J Psychiatry. 2004 Feb;161(2 Suppl):1-56. No abstract available.
PubMed 15000267Levi-Minzi S, Bermanzohn PC, Siris SG. Bromocriptine for "negative" schizophrenia. Compr Psychiatry. 1991 May-Jun;32(3):210-6. doi: 10.1016/0010-440x(91)90041-a.
PubMed 1679383Lindenmayer JP. New pharmacotherapeutic modalities for negative symptoms in psychosis. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1995;388:15-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1995.tb05939.x.
PubMed 7541598Maayan L, Vakhrusheva J, Correll CU. Effectiveness of medications used to attenuate antipsychotic-related weight gain and metabolic abnormalities: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2010 Jun;35(7):1520-30. doi: 10.1038/npp.2010.21. Epub 2010 Mar 24.
PubMed 20336059Perovich RM, Lieberman JA, Fleischhacker WW, Alvir J. The behavioral toxicity of bromocriptine in patients with psychiatric illness. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1989 Dec;9(6):417-22.
PubMed 2574194Pijl H, Ohashi S, Matsuda M, Miyazaki Y, Mahankali A, Kumar V, Pipek R, Iozzo P, Lancaster JL, Cincotta AH, DeFronzo RA. Bromocriptine: a novel approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2000 Aug;23(8):1154-61. doi: 10.2337/diacare.23.8.1154.
PubMed 10937514Pramyothin P, Khaodhiar L. Metabolic syndrome with the atypical antipsychotics. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes. 2010 Oct;17(5):460-6. doi: 10.1097/MED.0b013e32833de61c.
PubMed 20717020Sykes DA, Moore H, Stott L, Holliday N, Javitch JA, Lane JR, Charlton SJ. Extrapyramidal side effects of antipsychotics are linked to their association kinetics at dopamine D2 receptors. Nat Commun. 2017 Oct 2;8(1):763. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-00716-z.
PubMed 28970469
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 22 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Open-label, Flexible-dose Adjunctive Bromocriptine for Patients With Schizophrenia and Prediabetes
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT03575000
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- PRO0002368
- Conditions
- Schizophrenia, PreDiabetes
- Phase
- Phase 4
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 15 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare SystemUS federal agency
- Study start
- 1 Jan 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 2 Jul 2018 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This is a multicenter open-label, pilot study to evaluate the safety and tolerability of bromocriptine, a dopamine D2/D3 receptor and serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist, as an adjunct to preexisting standard-of-care antipsychotic drug (APD) regimens in the management of APD-associated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)/insulin resistance (IR). The ultimate aim of the study team is to evaluate the efficacy of bromocriptine in treating the metabolic disturbances associated with APDs and the hypothesis is that bromocriptine will be a well-tolerated, safe, and inexpensive way to ameliorate these metabolic complications and prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study will be a small, short-duration pilot focusing on safety and tolerability. A total of 15 psychiatrically stable APD-treated adult outpatients, VA Pittsburgh , aged 18 to 65 years old, with a confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia and comorbid IGT will be recruited and receive 6 weeks of bromocriptine (flexibly titrated, 2.5-5.0 mg PO daily). Key inclusion criteria are: 1) currently being treated with second generation APDs for 3 or more months with no change in dose in the 1 month prior to enrollment, 2) fasting glucose 100 to 125mg/dL and/or hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 5.7-6.4%. Key exclusions are: 1) prior APD nonadherence, 2) drug/alcohol abuse in the 3 months prior to screening, 3) a history of violent behavior/psychoses, 4) pregnancy, or 5) a diagnosis of diabetes. Subjects on other dopamine agonists or on medications that may interact with bromocriptine and those taking corticosteroids or other medications that may alter glucose levels will be excluded. The purposes of the study are to demonstrate safety/tolerability, demonstrate feasibility, provide proof of concept, and provide an open-label assessment of the metabolic and psychiatric effects of bromocriptine in patients with schizophrenia treated with APDs. The primary metabolic outcome measures will be change in IR as measured by the HOMA-IR and change in IGT measured by HbA1c. Secondary metabolic outcome measures include body weight, fasting lipids, and prolactin. The specific aims are as follows: Specific aim 1: To establish the safety and tolerability of bromocriptine in patients with schizophrenia and IGT/IR treated with APDs. Specific aim 2: To demonstrate feasibility/proof of concept for an improvement in APD-induced IGT/IR with bromocriptine.
Detailed description
Background: APDs are among the most widely prescribed medications for psychotic, mood, and anxiety disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. Many APDs, currently available in the United States, particularly second generation APDs, have been associated to varying degrees with significant dysmetabolic side effects including insulin resistance (IR), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), hypertension, abdominal obesity, and dyslipidemia. Indeed, 32% of patients taking olanzapine develop IR in addition to gaining at least 15% of their baseline bodyweight. These changes substantially increase the risk of developing T2D and cardiovascular disease (CVD). In fact, the prevalence of metabolic dysfunction in APD-treated patients is more than twice that of the general population and leads to poorer long-term outcomes.
Perhaps most concerning is that APD-treated individuals with schizophrenia have a 15-20-year reduction in life expectancy as compared to the general population, with APD-induced IR being a major contributor to this early mortality. Thus, preventing APD-induced metabolic dysfunction may have a significant impact on morbidity and mortality. Currently there is no consistently effective way to prevent APD-associated metabolic dysfunction and reduce the risk of T2D.
Most studies attempting to elucidate the underlying cause of APD-induced metabolic dysfunction have focused on regions of the central nervous system (CNS) associated with metabolic control (i.e. hypothalamus) because these drugs are utilized primarily to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms in the CNS. Consequently, numerous neurotransmitter and neuropeptide systems in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin, have been implicated in the development of APD-induced metabolic side effects.
Rationale: Bromocriptine is a dopamine D2/D3 receptor and serotonin 5-HT2C receptor agonist that the study team proposes as a potential treatment for APD-induced IR. It has received FDA approval for treatment of T2D, having been shown to significantly lower postprandial plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) without increasing insulin or C-peptide levels. To date, there are few studies using bromocriptine in schizophrenia. Although most of the studies have been small, the cumulative results have consistently shown safety and benefit in psychiatric patients. Bromocriptine, even when used at high doses, has been found to be safe in APD-treated patients despite theoretical concerns of exacerbating psychosis due to dopaminergic receptor agonism.
Design: This study is a multicenter open-label, dose-escalation pilot to evaluate the safety and tolerability of bromocriptine as an adjunct to preexisting standard-of-care antipsychotic drug (APD) regimens in the management of APD-associated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)/insulin resistance (IR). A total of fifteen APD-treated participants aged 18 to 60 years old with schizophrenia who have been psychiatrically stable for at least 3 months and show signs of IR (obesity [BMI > 30 kg/m2] plus impaired fasting glucose (100-125mg/dL) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (A1c 5.7-6.4%) will receive bromocriptine in an open-label, flexible-dose design. The initial dose will be 2.5mg which will be increased to the 5mg target dose by week one unless limited by side effects. Bromocriptine will be given as adjunctive treatment to a participant's current APD regimen. The ultimate aim of the study team is to evaluate the efficacy of bromocriptine in treating the metabolic disturbances associated with APDs and the overarching hypothesis is that bromocriptine will be a well-tolerated, safe, and inexpensive way to ameliorate these metabolic complications and prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in these at-risk patients. That said, this study will be a small, short-duration pilot focusing on safety and tolerability.
The main purposes of the study are to demonstrate safety/tolerability, demonstrate feasibility, provide proof of concept, and provide an open-label assessment of the metabolic and psychiatric effects of bromocriptine in patients with schizophrenia treated with APDs. Psychiatric symptoms will be measured by the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Clinical Global Impression (CGI). General side effects of bromocriptine will be assessed by the UKU Side Effects Scale. The extrapyramidal side effects of APDs will be monitored via the Simpson-Angus Scale and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS).
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Bromocriptine | Experimental | Drug: BromocriptineThis is an open-label study, so there is no comparator group. As such there is only one arm. Subjects will receive bromocriptine at a starting dose of 2.5mg daily which will be increased, if tolerated, to 5mg daily after one week. Bromocriptine will be continued for a total of 6 weeks. Laboratory investigations, telephonic interviews, and face to face visits with subjects will be conducted before, during, and after the time period that bromocriptine will be used as detailed in the study design section. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Adult males and females, 18-65 years of age, diagnosed with schizophrenia
- Female participants must test negative for pregnancy at the time of enrollment based on a urine pregnancy test and agree to use a reliable method of birth control (e.g., oral contraceptives, birth control diaphragms with contraceptive jelly, cervical caps with contraceptive jelly, condoms with contraceptive foam, intrauterine devices, partner with vasectomy, or abstinence) until the study is complete.
- Be treated with FDA-approved second generation antipsychotic medication for at least 3 months, with no change in dose in the 1 month prior to enrollment.
- Either fasting glucose of 100 to 125 mg/dL inclusive and/or an A1C in the range between 5.7-6.4%
- Body mass index at least 30 kg/m2 at screening visit.
Key exclusion criteria (12 listed)
- History of documented APD non-adherence in prior 3 months.
- Historical or current diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (type 1, type 2, or other)
- Pregnant or breast feeding. Women of child-bearing potential must be surgically-sterile or using reliable methods of birth control.
- May not have used oral or parenteral systemic corticosteroids within 3 months prior to study enrollment or have expected use during the course of the study. The use of either inhaled or topical corticosteroids are not exclusion criteria.
- May not be taking any antidiabetic/antihyperglycemic medications (e.g., metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, insulin, DPP-IV inhibitors, SGLT-2 inhibitors, etc.) currently or within 4 months prior to study enrollment.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| BromocriptineAlso: bromocriptine pillThis is an open-label study, so there is no comparator group. As such there is only one arm. Subjects will receive bromocriptine at a starting dose of 2.5mg daily which will be increased, if tolerated, to 5mg daily after one week. Bromocriptine will be continued for a total of 6 weeks. Laboratory investigations, telephonic interviews, and face to face visits with subjects will be conducted before, during, and after the time period that bromocriptine will be used as detailed in the study design section. | Drug | Bromocriptine |
Primary outcome
HOMA-IR
Time frame: Measured at weeks 0, 4, 6 and 10 (week 10 is four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
The primary metabolic outcome measures will be change in IR as measured by HOMA-IR which is calculated with fasting insulin and glucose.
7 secondary outcomes
Weight
Time frame: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6 and 10
Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS)
Time frame: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
Time frame: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Clinical Global Impression
Time frame: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
UKU Side Effects Scale
Time frame: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Simpson-Angus Scale
Time frame: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS)
Time frame: Measured at weeks 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 (weeks 8 and 10 are two and four weeks after study drug discontinuation)
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 22 Sep 2025.
- Background: PubMed 16618011Baptista T, Martinez J, Lacruz A, Rangel N, Beaulieu S, Serrano A, Arape Y, Martinez M, de Mendoza S, Teneud L, Hernandez L. Metformin for prevention of weight gain and insulin resistance with olanzapine: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Can J Psychiatry. 2006 Mar;51(3):192-6. doi: 10.1177/070674370605100310.
- Background: PubMed 27973619Chiu CC, Lu ML, Huang MC, Chen PY, Lin YK, Lin SK, Chen CH. Effects of Low Dose Metformin on Metabolic Traits in Clozapine-Treated Schizophrenia Patients: An Exploratory Twelve-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. PLoS One. 2016 Dec 14;11(12):e0168347. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168347. eCollection 2016.
- Background: PubMed 18389927Correll CU. Acute and long-term adverse effects of antipsychotics. CNS Spectr. 2007 Dec;12(12 Suppl 21):10-4. doi: 10.1017/s1092852900015959. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 20332352Gaziano JM, Cincotta AH, O'Connor CM, Ezrokhi M, Rutty D, Ma ZJ, Scranton RE. Randomized clinical trial of quick-release bromocriptine among patients with type 2 diabetes on overall safety and cardiovascular outcomes. Diabetes Care. 2010 Jul;33(7):1503-8. doi: 10.2337/dc09-2009. Epub 2010 Mar 23.
- Background: PubMed 16338246Hennekens CH, Hennekens AR, Hollar D, Casey DE. Schizophrenia and increased risks of cardiovascular disease. Am Heart J. 2005 Dec;150(6):1115-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2005.02.007.
- Background: PubMed 16803851Kok P, Roelfsema F, Frolich M, van Pelt J, Stokkel MP, Meinders AE, Pijl H. Activation of dopamine D2 receptors simultaneously ameliorates various metabolic features of obese women. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Nov;291(5):E1038-43. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00567.2005. Epub 2006 Jun 27.
- Background: PubMed 19968833Lee MS, Song HC, An H, Yang J, Ko YH, Jung IK, Joe SH. Effect of bromocriptine on antipsychotic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia: eight-week randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter study. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2010 Feb;64(1):19-27. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2009.02032.x. Epub 2009 Nov 24.
- Background: PubMed 15000267Lehman AF, Lieberman JA, Dixon LB, McGlashan TH, Miller AL, Perkins DO, Kreyenbuhl J; American Psychiatric Association; Steering Committee on Practice Guidelines. Practice guideline for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia, second edition. Am J Psychiatry. 2004 Feb;161(2 Suppl):1-56. No abstract available.
- Background: PubMed 1679383Levi-Minzi S, Bermanzohn PC, Siris SG. Bromocriptine for "negative" schizophrenia. Compr Psychiatry. 1991 May-Jun;32(3):210-6. doi: 10.1016/0010-440x(91)90041-a.
- Background: PubMed 7541598Lindenmayer JP. New pharmacotherapeutic modalities for negative symptoms in psychosis. Acta Psychiatr Scand Suppl. 1995;388:15-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1995.tb05939.x.
- Background: PubMed 20336059Maayan L, Vakhrusheva J, Correll CU. Effectiveness of medications used to attenuate antipsychotic-related weight gain and metabolic abnormalities: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2010 Jun;35(7):1520-30. doi: 10.1038/npp.2010.21. Epub 2010 Mar 24.
- Background: PubMed 2574194Perovich RM, Lieberman JA, Fleischhacker WW, Alvir J. The behavioral toxicity of bromocriptine in patients with psychiatric illness. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1989 Dec;9(6):417-22.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Schizophrenia
Recruiting
MI-CBTech: A Mobile Intervention for Community Integration in Homeless-Experienced Veterans With SMI
Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders, Psychotic Affective Disorders
RecruitingObservational study
Tau Biomarkers in Late-onset Psychosis (LOP)
Late Onset Schizophrenia, Delusional Disorder (Late Onset)
Active, not recruitingObservational study
Profiling Vulnerability and Resilience for Mental Illness Following Viral Infections
Severe Mental Illness, Inflammation
RecruitingPhase 3
Sequential Treatment Approaches for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia
Treatment-resistant Schizophrenia
Recruiting
REACH Study (Recovery Environments: Assessing Cognitive & Brain Health in Community Mental Health)
Schizophrenia, Schizo Affective Disorder
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Ronald Codario, M.D. principal investigator
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A Phase 4 study testing Bromocriptine in people with Schizophrenia and PreDiabetes, run by VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 7 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 22 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
What does this phase mean?
Phase 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.
Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Mary McShea, MS (412-360-2300, mary.mcshea@va.gov), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
HOMA-IR (time frame: Measured at weeks 0, 4, 6 and 10 (week 10 is four weeks after study drug discontinuation)). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT03575000, which also lists 16 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 22 Sep 2025.