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Hormone Therapy

oxytocin nasal spray for Obesity

Phase 2
Waitlist Available
Led By Elizabeth A Lawson, MD
Research Sponsored by Massachusetts General Hospital
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be between 18 and 65 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up baseline to 8 weeks
Awards & highlights

Summary

This trial tests a nasal spray with oxytocin in adults to see if it can help with weight issues by affecting behaviors and metabolism. Oxytocin has been studied for its potential to reduce body weight and improve metabolic parameters in individuals.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~baseline to 8 weeks
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline to 8 weeks for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Mean Difference in Weight Loss Between Oxytocin and Placebo 8 Weeks After Baseline
Secondary study objectives
Change in Fat Depots After 8 Weeks of Oxytocin Versus Placebo
Change in Resting Energy Expenditure After 8 Weeks of Oxytocin Versus Placebo
Difference in Caloric Intake After 6 Weeks of Oxytocin Versus Placebo

Side effects data

From 2022 Phase 2 trial • 61 Patients • NCT03043053
19%
Nasal discomfort
16%
Headache
13%
Blood glucose increased
6%
Contusion
6%
Liver function test increased
6%
Uterine pain
6%
Upper respiratory tract infection
6%
Wound complication
3%
Constipation
3%
Diarrhea
3%
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
3%
Hemorrhoids
3%
Abdominal discomfort
3%
Nausea
3%
Oedema
3%
COVID-19
3%
Gastrointestinal viral infection
3%
Ligament sprain
3%
Blood potassium increased
3%
Electrocardiogram QT prolonged
3%
Thirst
3%
Arthralgia
3%
Back pain
3%
Pain in extremity
3%
Carpal tunnel syndrome
3%
Parasthesia
3%
Anxiety
3%
Dysphoria
3%
Dysuria
3%
Polyuria
3%
Dyspnea
3%
Epistaxis
3%
Nasal congestion
3%
Rhinorrhea
3%
Sinus congestion
3%
Acne
3%
Rash
3%
Skin ulcer
3%
Hypertension
3%
Presyncope
100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
0%
Study treatment Arm
Oxytocin
Placebo

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: oxytocinExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
oxytocin nasal spray (24 IU nasal spray, 4 times per day for 8 weeks)
Group II: placeboPlacebo Group1 Intervention
placebo nasal spray (4 times per day for 8 weeks)
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
oxytocin nasal spray
2017
Completed Phase 2
~70

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Massachusetts General HospitalLead Sponsor
2,999 Previous Clinical Trials
13,231,439 Total Patients Enrolled
73 Trials studying Obesity
292,413 Patients Enrolled for Obesity
Elizabeth A Lawson, MDPrincipal InvestigatorMassachusetts General Hospital
4 Previous Clinical Trials
142 Total Patients Enrolled
1 Trials studying Obesity
61 Patients Enrolled for Obesity
~7 spots leftby Oct 2025