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Acetazolamide for Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia

This study is testing if a drug called Acetazolamide (ACZ) can help people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who haven't fully responded to other treatments. You would receive either Acetazolamide or a placebo (an inactive pill) for 24 weeks. Researchers want to see if Acetazolamide can reduce positive symptoms (like hallucinations or delusions). This study is for people aged 18 to 55 who have specific symptom scores even after trying other antipsychotic medications. The study aims to enroll 60 participants, but its current status is unclear.

Study design
This is a double-blind, randomized controlled trial, meaning neither you nor your doctor will know if you are receiving Acetazolamide or a placebo. The study plans to include 60 participants.
What's involved
You would take either Acetazolamide or a placebo daily, with the dose of Acetazolamide gradually increasing over 7-10 days. Your positive symptoms will be measured at 24 weeks.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your positive symptoms will be measured at 24 weeks, which indicates the duration of the treatment period.

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NCT04887792

Acetazolamide for Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia

Recruiting
PHASE1Ages 18–55InterventionalTreatment
Vishwajit Nimgaonkar, MD PhD
~60 participants
Updated 2026-07-07 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:AcetazolamidePlacebo

At a glance

Recruiting sites
2 of 2 listed sites are recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in positive symptoms
Measured over 24 weeks

Conditions

Schizophrenia
Schizo Affective Disorder

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Schizoaffective DisorderSchizophrenia

Where it's being run

2 sites across 2 states
Pennsylvania1
India1

Study leadership

  • Vishwajit L Nimgaonkar, M.D., Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Pittsburgh

Who to contact

Vishwajit L Nimgaonkar, M.D., Ph.D.
[email protected]
412-246-6356
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

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

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.

What this trial measures

  • Change in positive symptoms24 weeks

    Clinical Severity as determined by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) positive symptom subscale. The PANSS is a standardized, clinical interview that rates the presence and severity of positive and negative symptoms, as well as general psychopathology for people with schizophrenia within the past week. Symptom severity for each item is rated according to which anchoring points in the 7-point scale (1 = absent; 7 = extreme) best describe the presentation of the symptom. 7 Items, (minimum score = 7, maximum score = 49)