lorcaserin + metformin

lorcaserin + metformin is a combination therapy investigated by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for weight management in overweight patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. This combination was the primary experimental intervention in the MELT (Metformin and Lorcaserin for Weight Loss in Schizophrenia) trial. Metformin is a biguanide antihyperglycemic that improves insulin sensitivity and reduces hepatic glucose production; it is frequently used off-label to mitigate the significant weight gain associated with antipsychotic medications. Lorcaserin is a weight-loss agent that selectively activates serotonin 5-HT2C receptors in the hypothalamus to promote satiety. The development of this combination for this specific indication was terminated following the FDA-requested withdrawal of lorcaserin from the US market in 2020 due to safety concerns regarding an increased risk of cancer.

Other names

MELT trial interventionlorcaserin/metformin combination