Phentermine's Impact on Treatment in Teens (PhITT): A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Phentermine for Adolescents With Obesity
Russell McCulloh, MD
Summary
PhITT is a Phase IIb, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of phentermine (16 mg daily) in adolescents aged 12 to \<18 years with obesity. Conducted across approximately 10 sites within the IDeA States Pediatric Clinical Trials Network (ISPCTN), the study aims to enroll up to 240 participants and then randomize up to 198 who meet eligibility criteria, randomized in a 2:1 ratio to phentermine or placebo over a 52-week treatment period, followed by a 2-week withdrawal assessment.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 12–17 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion criteria\* include, but are not limited to: * Age ≥ 12 years and \< 18 years at time of consent; * Tanner Staging ≥ 2 at the time of screening; * Obesity (BMI ≥ 95th age- and sex-specific CDC percentile or BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2); * Biological females must agree to use adequate contraception, defined as double barrier methods, stable hormonal contraception plus single barrier method, tubal ligation, or abstinence. Exclusion criteria\* include, but are not limited to: * Contraindications to phentermine in adults such as: * A history of cardiovascular disease (e.g., coronary artery disea…
Interventions
- DrugPhentermine
Phentermine 16 mg administered orally once daily in the morning for 52 weeks. The dose is provided as two 8 mg tablets. Participants also receive lifestyle education handouts at each study visit. The intervention is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of phentermine for weight loss in adolescents with obesity.
- DrugPlacebo
Placebo tablets that are visually identical to phentermine tablets but contain no active pharmaceutical ingredient. Administered orally once daily in the morning for 52 weeks. Participants also receive lifestyle education handouts at each study visit. This control arm is used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of phentermine in adolescents with obesity.
Locations (2)
- University of New Mexico Health Sciences CenterAlbuquerque, New Mexico
- Prisma Health-Midlands Children's HospitalColumbia, South Carolina