Can probiotics help prevent weight gain from antipsychotic medications?

This trial is testing whether a probiotic formulation called Ecologic® Barrier can help prevent or reduce metabolic side effects—like weight gain, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol—that commonly occur when taking antipsychotic medications such as olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, or clozapine. The study is based on research suggesting that the bacteria in your gut may play a role in how your body manages weight and metabolism, and that adding beneficial bacteria through probiotics might help protect against these unwanted effects.

Antipsychotic medications are effective for treating serious mental health conditions, but they often cause metabolic problems that can lead to weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. This trial exists to see whether probiotics—live beneficial bacteria—might help prevent or reduce these side effects and keep people healthier.