The use of liraglutide 3.0 mg daily in the management of overweight and obesity in people with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and first episode psychosis: Results of a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Whicher CA, Price HC, Phiri P, Rathod S, Barnard-Kelly K, Ngianga K, Thorne K, Asher C, Peveler RC, McCarthy J, Holt RIG

Diabetes, obesity & metabolism16 Feb 2021Cited by 57 (Europe PMC)

PMID33528914DOI10.1111/dom.14334PepBankPUB-33528914

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Summary

The text of this summary is not shown here, because the article license does not allow reuse. Read it at the source (opens in a new tab)

Text rights: Publisher copyright. Results still quote short attributed sentences.

Results from this study7

4 results from studies that gave the peptide. 4 results from people.

01HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and overweight or obesity, participants on liraglutide lost a mean 5.7 kg, with no significant weight change on placebo (treatment difference -6.0 kg).
In plain wordsIn adults with psychosis and overweight, people on liraglutide lost more weight than people on placebo.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseWeight change
Study
n = 47
Comparator
Placebo
Analysis
Exploratory
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
titrated to 3.0 mg daily · subcutaneous · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Measurements
mean weight loss
5.7 kg
liraglutide
treatment difference
−6 kg
liraglutide vs placebo
Source sentences
Summary
Participants in the liraglutide arm lost a mean 5.7 ± 7.9 kg compared with no significant weight change in the placebo group (treatment difference -6.0 kg, p = .015).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The participants were adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective or first-episode psychosis prescribed antipsychotic medication who were overweight or obese.
Summary · context
The intervention was once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo, titrated to 3.0 mg daily, for 6 months.
Report a problemFND-3352891404
02HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and overweight or obesity, HbA1c was reduced in the liraglutide group.
In plain wordsIn adults with psychosis and overweight, blood sugar control (HbA1c) improved in the group that took liraglutide.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseHbA1c
Study
n = 47
Analysis
Exploratory
Outcome group
Glycemic control · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
titrated to 3.0 mg daily · subcutaneous · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Body mass index, waist circumference and HbA1c were reduced in the intervention group.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The participants were adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective or first-episode psychosis prescribed antipsychotic medication who were overweight or obese.
Summary · context
The intervention was once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo, titrated to 3.0 mg daily, for 6 months.
Report a problemFND-3352891407
03HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and overweight or obesity, body mass index was reduced in the liraglutide group.
In plain wordsIn adults with psychosis and overweight, body mass index fell in the group that took liraglutide.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseBody mass index
Study
n = 47
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
titrated to 3.0 mg daily · subcutaneous · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Body mass index, waist circumference and HbA1c were reduced in the intervention group.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The participants were adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective or first-episode psychosis prescribed antipsychotic medication who were overweight or obese.
Summary · context
The intervention was once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo, titrated to 3.0 mg daily, for 6 months.
Report a problemFND-3352891405
04HumanRandomized controlled trialEfficacy outcome
In adults with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and overweight or obesity, waist circumference was reduced in the liraglutide group.
In plain wordsIn adults with psychosis and overweight, waist size fell in the group that took liraglutide.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
DecreaseWaist circumference
Study
n = 47
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Studied dose
titrated to 3.0 mg daily · subcutaneous · 6 monthsAs given in this study (human).
Source sentences
Summary
Body mass index, waist circumference and HbA1c were reduced in the intervention group.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The participants were adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective or first-episode psychosis prescribed antipsychotic medication who were overweight or obese.
Summary · context
The intervention was once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo, titrated to 3.0 mg daily, for 6 months.
Report a problemFND-3352891406

Studies that did not test the peptide alone3

In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Liraglutide.

05HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
In the pilot trial, 79% of randomized participants completed the trial.
In plain wordsIn a small trial in adults with psychosis and overweight, most people who started finished the trial.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableTrial completion
Study
n = 47
Analysis
Primary
Outcome group
Treatment adherence and retention · Whole body
Measurements
completion
79%
randomized participants
Source sentences
Summary
Forty-seven participants were randomized, with 79% completing the trial.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The participants were adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective or first-episode psychosis prescribed antipsychotic medication who were overweight or obese.
Summary · context
The intervention was once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo, titrated to 3.0 mg daily, for 6 months.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Report a problemFND-3352891402
06HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
In a pilot trial of liraglutide in adults with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and obesity, 12.2% of eligible people accepted participation.
In plain wordsIn a small trial in adults with psychosis and overweight, about one in eight eligible people agreed to take part.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableAcceptance rate of eligible participants
Study
n: not reported in source
Analysis
Primary
Outcome group
Treatment adherence and retention · Whole body
Measurements
acceptance rate
12.2%
eligible participants
Source sentences
Summary
The acceptance rate, as a proportion of all eligible participants, was 12.2%.
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The participants were adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective or first-episode psychosis prescribed antipsychotic medication who were overweight or obese.
Summary · context
The intervention was once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo, titrated to 3.0 mg daily, for 6 months.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Report a problemFND-3352891401
07HumanNot a test of Liraglutide aloneRandomized controlled trialOther
In the pilot trial, the most common reason eligible people declined was the study medication and protocol (n = 50).
In plain wordsIn a small trial in adults with psychosis and overweight, the study medication and procedures were the most common reason for declining to take part.
Peptide
Liraglutide
Outcome
Not applicableReason for declining participation
Study
n: not reported in source
Analysis
Primary
Outcome group
Treatment adherence and retention · Whole body
Measurements
declined, medication or protocol
50 participants
eligible candidates
Source sentences
Summary
The most commonly stated reason why eligible candidates declined to participate related to the study-specific medication and protocol (n = 50).
2 context sentences(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
The participants were adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective or first-episode psychosis prescribed antipsychotic medication who were overweight or obese.
Summary · context
The intervention was once-daily subcutaneous liraglutide or placebo, titrated to 3.0 mg daily, for 6 months.
In this study, Liraglutide was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Liraglutide.
Report a problemFND-3352891403

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
12 Oct 2026, 11:11 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 03:05 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

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