Empagliflozin Adjunctive Therapy in Bipolar Depression
Brazil20 participantsStarted 2026-03-09
Plain-language summary
Bipolar disorder is a long-term mental health condition that causes mood changes, with depressive episodes being the most frequent and disabling. Many people do not fully recover with current treatments, showing the need for new therapeutic options.
Recent research shows that insulin resistance (IR), a condition in which the body does not respond well to insulin, is common in people with bipolar disorder. It is linked to more severe mood symptoms, poorer treatment response, and higher risk of heart disease. IR may raise inflammation and affect how the brain uses energy, which can influence mood regulation.
Empagliflozin is a medicine approved for type 2 diabetes. In addition to its metabolic and heart benefits, studies suggest that it may also protect the brain and reduce inflammation, possibly helping to improve mood.
This open-label, proof-of-concept clinical trial will test how well empagliflozin works and how safe it is as an add-on treatment for people with bipolar depression and insulin resistance. A total of 20 adults with bipolar disorder type I or II, currently in a depressive episode, will take part in the study over a 12-week period.
The main goal is to see whether empagliflozin can lower depressive symptoms, measured with the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Other measures include changes in insulin resistance and incidence of adverse events.
The study aims to explore whether improving insulin resistance can help both mood and metabolic health in people with bipolar disorder, guiding future clinical research.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion criteria
. Adults aged 18 to 65 years.
. Diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder type I or II according to DSM-5 criteria, confirmed by the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview.
. Currently receiving stable pharmacological treatment for bipolar disorder, with no medication changes (addition or withdrawal) in the past 4 weeks.
. Ability to provide informed consent.
. Insulin resistance, defined as HOMA-IR ≥ 1.8.
Exclusion criteria
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in depressive symptom severity (MADRS total score)
Timeframe: Baseline and 12 weeks after treatment initiation