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Recruiting Phase 2 NCT06173778

NCT06173778 Semaglutide for Post-Smoking Cessation Weight Management

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Clinical Trial Summary
NCT ID NCT06173778
Status Recruiting
Phase Phase 2
Sponsor The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Condition Obesity
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment 197 participants
Start Date 2024-04-23
Primary Completion 2026-07-01

Eligibility & Interventions

Sex All sexes
Min Age 18 Years
Max Age 75 Years
Study Type INTERVENTIONAL
Interventions
semaglutide 2.4mgPlaceboNicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT, nicotine patch)

Eligibility Fast-Check

Enter your details for a quick preliminary check. This does not replace medical advice.

What to Expect as a Participant

You will actively receive the study intervention — which may be a drug, biologic, device, or procedure.

In Phase 2, researchers evaluate early signs of effectiveness. You may be randomized to receive the active treatment or a comparator. Monitoring continues closely.

This trial targets 197 participants in total. It began in 2024-04-23 with a primary completion date of 2026-07-01.

⚠ This information is for research awareness only. Always consult your physician before joining any clinical trial. Participation is voluntary and you may withdraw at any time.

Brief Summary

This trial will examine the effect of semaglutide 2.4mg on changes in body weight, body composition, and peripheral and central mechanisms that control appetite, satiety, and food intake in the context of smoking cessation.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Ability to provide informed consent before any study-related activity, willing to comply with al study procedures, and be available for the duration of the study. * Body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 or ≥27 kg/m2 with the presence of at least one of the following weight-related comorbidities (treated or untreated): hypertension (unless meets medical exclusion criterion 7), cardiovascular disease (unless meets medical exclusion criterion 6), dyslipidemia, or obstructive sleep apnea * Have been smoking ≥5 cigarettes per day for at least 1 year (prior to screening) and provide positive cotinine test. * Desire to quit smoking (defined as "intend to quit within one month") * Agree (if the participant is female and of child-bearing potential) to use effective contraceptive methods, unless the participant's male partner(s) is surgically sterile (underwent vasectomy). * Women of child-bearing potential must provide negative urine pregnancy tests prior to randomization. * Normal cognitive restraint (assessed as cognitive restraint score of \<4 from the Three Factor Eating Habits Questionnaire) * Have a medical history and a brief physical examination demonstrating no clinically significant contraindications for study participation, in the judgment of the Study Physician and the Principal Investigator Exclusion Criteria: Medical Exclusions * Personal or first-degree relative(s) history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). * Acute pancreatitis within the past 6 months prior to screening. * History or presence of chronic pancreatitis. * Type 1 or type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (previously diagnosed or indicated by HbA1C ≥48 mmol/mol (6.5%) as measured by central laboratory at screening). * End stage renal disease (ESRD, previously diagnosed or indicated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) value of eGFR \< 15 ml/min/1.73 m2 as measured by central laboratory at screening). * Any of the following: myocardial infarction, stroke, hospitalization for unstable angina or transient ischemic attack within the past 60 days prior to screening. * Systolic blood pressure (SBP) \>159 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) \>99 mmHg) * History of malignant neoplasms within the past 5 years prior to screening. Basal and squamous cell skin cancer and any carcinoma in-situ are allowed. * Severe gastrointestinal disease (i.e., severe gastroparesis). * Known or suspected hypersensitivity to nicotine/nicotine patches; semaglutide, excipients, or related products. * Women who are currently pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, or lactating, or of childbearing potential and are not using medically accepted forms of contraception. * Have any illness or condition which in the opinion of the Principal Investigator and/or the Study Physician would preclude safe and/or successful completion of the study. Psychiatric / Substance Use Exclusions * Psychoactive substance abuse or dependence (excluding nicotine dependence) within the past 3 months prior to screening (existing diagnosis or as determined by the structured interview). * Urine drug test positive, before randomization, for any of the following substances: 1. benzodiazepines 2. cocaine 3. opioids 4. amphetamines 5. methamphetamine 6. buprenorphine 7. barbiturates 8. 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) 9. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) * Psychotic or bipolar disorder, or mood disorder with psychotic features; or eating disorder (existing clinical diagnosis or as determined by the structured interview) * Moderate to high risk for suicidality (as determined by the structured interview). Weight-Related Exclusions * Previously undergone bariatric surgery * Gained/lost ≥4.5 kg over the past 6 months (prior to screening) * Currently enrolled in a behavioral weight management plan * Uncontrolled thyroid disease (the criterion will be assessed at the Study Physician's and the Principal Investigator's discretion) Smoking-Related Exclusions -Currently using other combustible (e.g., cigars), other (e.g., chewing tobacco, snuff, snus) or alternative (e.g., electronic cigarettes) tobacco products Medication-Related Exclusions * Currently using oral or injectable glucose lowering medications * Currently using pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation (NRT, varenicline, or bupropion) * Currently or recently (last 90 days prior to screening) taking medication used for weight management (i.e., orlistat, lorcaserin,vi naltrexone-bupropion, liraglutide, phentermine, topiramate, benzphetamine, diethylpropion, phendimetrazine) * Currently or recently (within the past 14 days prior to screening) taking medication(s) known to impact appetite and/or weight (i.e., corticosteroids, excluding inhaled) General Exclusions * Current, anticipated, or pending enrollment in another research study during this trial that could potentially affect participant safety and/or the study data/design as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician. * Not planning to live in the area for the duration of this trial. * Surgery scheduled for the duration of the trial, except for minor surgical procedures, in opinion of the Principal Investigator and/or the Study Physician. * Unable to communicate (read, write, and speak) fluently in English.

Contact & Investigator

Central Contact

Luba Yammine, PhD

✉ Luba.Yammine@uth.tmc.edu

📞 713-486-2737

Principal Investigator

Luba Yammine, PhD

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can join the NCT06173778 clinical trial?

This trial is open to participants of all sexes, aged 18 Years or older, up to 75 Years, studying Obesity. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are listed in the Eligibility Criteria section. Always confirm your eligibility with the research team before applying.

What phase is the NCT06173778 trial and what does that mean for participants?

Phase 2 trials evaluate whether the treatment shows signs of effectiveness while continuing to monitor safety. More participants are enrolled than in Phase 1 to help refine the treatment protocol.

Is NCT06173778 currently recruiting?

Yes, NCT06173778 is actively recruiting participants. Contact the research team at Luba.Yammine@uth.tmc.edu for enrollment information.

Where is the NCT06173778 trial being conducted?

This trial is being conducted at Austin, United States, Houston, United States.

Who is sponsoring the NCT06173778 clinical trial?

NCT06173778 is sponsored by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. The principal investigator is Luba Yammine, PhD at The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston. The trial plans to enroll 197 participants.

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ClinicalMetric — Independent clinical trial intelligence platform. Not affiliated with NIH, ClinicalTrials.gov, the U.S. FDA, or any pharmaceutical company, hospital, or clinical research organization. Trial data is sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Do not make any treatment, enrollment, or health decisions based solely on information found here — always consult a qualified healthcare professional. Full Disclaimer  ·  Last Reviewed: April 2026  ·  Data Methodology