Pilot Trial of Naltrexone for Obesity in Women With Schizophrenia

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women between the ages of 18 to 70
• Meet DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual version IV) criteria for schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder based on SCID (Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV) interview
• Overweight, as defined with a BMI of equal to or greater than 27 kg/m² and continuing weight gain in the past year above 2% of previous years total body weight
• Be on a stable dose of antipsychotic medication; i.e. at least one month with no dosage change, and two months from an antipsychotic switch; 5) Deemed to be symptomatically stable by the clinical staff in the last two months

Exclusion Criteria:

• Meet criteria for current alcohol or other substance dependence, opioid use for any reason or positive urine drug screen for opiates
• A history of dementia, mental retardation or other neurological disorder that may interfere with study ratings
• Not capable of giving informed consent for participation in this study
• Ongoing pregnancy
• Known sensitivity to naltrexone
• A medical disorder that is known to cause obesity
• Use of sibutramine, topiramate, amphetamines or over the counter weight remedies
• Impaired liver functions (greater than 3 times the upper limit of normal)
• Diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome
• Currently being treated with insulin
• Current use of Depo-Provera or any natural/synthetic hormone treatment known to cause significant weight gain