Plain-English translation of NCT04551482 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.
This is a 12-week study testing oxytocin, a natural hormone, as a nasal spray to help teenagers with obesity lose weight. The medication works by reducing hunger and increasing how much energy your body uses. Half of the teens will receive the active medication, and half will receive a placebo (a spray with no medicine) to see which works better.
Obesity in teenagers is becoming more common and can lead to serious health problems later in life. Doctors need safe, effective treatments designed specifically for young people, since medications tested in adults don't always work the same way in teens.
You likely qualify if…
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You would visit the clinic for a baseline appointment, then use a nasal spray four times per day for 12 weeks—you won't know if it's the real medication or placebo. You'll have follow-up visits to check your weight, blood work, and how you're feeling. The study also includes MRI and other body composition scans to measure changes in fat and inflammation.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jul 7, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Collaborators
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Enrollment target
~55 participants
Started
July 2021
Primary completion
December 2026
Age range
10 Years – 18 Years
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in June 2026.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Elizabeth A Lawson, MD, MMSc
Massachusetts General Hospital
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.