Verdict No. 3072 · Search date 2026-09-08 · Methodology v1.0
Adjunctive berberine during continued antipsychotic therapy,
does it really help with Reduction of body weight in antipsychotic-associated weight gain?
30-Second Summary
C
Evidence Grade C · 54 · Safety warning
This verdict covers body weight with 600 mg/day adjunctive treatment for 12 weeks; general obesity and metabolic markers remain separate.
Warning. Discontinuation and gastrointestinal intolerance occurred, and CYP interactions and metabolic/glucose effects can overlap with antipsychotic treatment; review with the mental-health care team.
What the
research showsGrade C with 54 points. The 12-week between-group weight difference in a 113-person placebo trial was -1.08 kg (95% CI -1.76 to -0.40; P=.002), with a separate small trial in the same direction. The effect was small, and discontinuation was 29.3% in the berberine arm.
research showsGrade C with 54 points. The 12-week between-group weight difference in a 113-person placebo trial was -1.08 kg (95% CI -1.76 to -0.40; P=.002), with a separate small trial in the same direction. The effect was small, and discontinuation was 29.3% in the berberine arm.
What the
ads claimThis does not justify stopping antipsychotics or transferring the result to large weight loss in general obesity.
ads claimThis does not justify stopping antipsychotics or transferring the result to large weight loss in general obesity.
Useful facts when choosing a product
- This verdict applies only to the displayed formulation, route, dose, duration, population, endpoint, and comparator.
- Berberine hydrochloride, botanical extracts, combination formulas, dihydroberberine, other derivatives, and topical products are not interchangeable.
- Warning. Discontinuation and gastrointestinal intolerance occurred, and CYP interactions and metabolic/glucose effects can overlap with antipsychotic treatment; review with the mental-health care team.
Chamgap Semantic Classification Code
Permanent code issued
S.berberine-hydrochloride.oral-addon.body-weight.reduce.placeboSupplements and nutraceuticals > Berberine hydrochloride > Oral add-on > Antipsychotic-associated body weight > Reduction claim > Placebo plus continued antipsychotic
Bound to body weight after 600 mg/day for 12 weeks in antipsychotic-associated metabolic syndrome; general obesity, BMI, lipids, and HbA1c are separate. The code identifies the intervention and claim; it never contains the evidence grade, score, or safety result.
Exact Claim Classification
These independent facets prevent evidence from different forms, routes, populations, effects, and comparators from being mixed.
| Intervention class | S · Supplement or nutraceutical |
|---|---|
| Canonical ingredient or intervention | Berberine hydrochloride |
| Source or part used | Purified berberine hydrochloride; source plant unverified |
| Formulation or processing | 100-mg tablets as add-on therapy |
| Route | Oral add-on |
| Dose | 600 mg/day |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Population | People with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and antipsychotic-associated metabolic syndrome |
| Effect or condition | Lower body weight in kilograms |
| Primary endpoint | Between-group difference in net weight change from baseline to week 12 |
| Comparator | Placebo plus continued antipsychotic treatment |
| Duplicate-detection key | Berberine hydrochloride|100-mg tablets as add-on therapy|Oral add-on|People with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and antipsychotic-associated metabolic syndrome|Lower body weight in kilograms|12 weeks |
Gap Measurement · Verdict 3072 · C 54
What the research actually shows
The NCT02983188 paper, PMID 36210782 corrigendum, and an independent eight-week RCT were checked together.
Why this is classified as C (54)
Axes are S/R2/I2/E~/B2/C0. Independent replication and funding are two strengths, but E~, surrogate status, small samples, and attrition yield C/54.
Counterpoint. An independent eight-week 900-mg/day trial pointed the same way, but both trials were small and short and cannot settle long-term weight or psychiatric stability.
Rejudgment record. Independent Codex cross-check — One formulation, route, population, claim, principal endpoint, and comparator
Scoring profile behind this grade
| Endpoint | S | Surrogate marker - laboratory or imaging measures |
| Replication | R2 | Independently replicated across trials |
| Independence | I2 | Decisive evidence is publicly or non-profit funded |
| Effect size | E~ | Statistically positive but below the threshold |
| Precision | C0 | The confidence interval leaves room for benefit |
The scoring table and the verdict agree (C).
Cross-check — AI research and Codex final gate
AI was used for research and drafting. Blind grading, adversarial audit, and the methodology boundary rules were then reapplied before Codex performed the final evidence, grade, copy, and build checks. If a grade cannot be narrowed, both evidence positions and their reasons are published.
Evidence Table
| Study | Design | Sample | Funding | Endpoint | Result | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunctive berberine reduces antipsychotic-associated weight gain and metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia: a randomized controlled trial | Design, allocation, masking, endpoint hierarchy, and analysis set were independently checked. | 55 | Funding, product support, employee authorship, and conflicts were assessed separately. | The principal endpoint contract is preserved; other outcomes remain separate. | Verified estimates are preserved; missing confidence intervals were not invented. | Evidence weight reflects directness, formulation match, hierarchy, and reporting limitations. |
| Effects of berberine on body mass and metabolic profiles in patients treated with antipsychotics | Design, allocation, masking, endpoint hierarchy, and analysis set were independently checked. | 49 | Funding, product support, employee authorship, and conflicts were assessed separately. | The principal endpoint contract is preserved; other outcomes remain separate. | Verified estimates are preserved; missing confidence intervals were not invented. | Evidence weight reflects directness, formulation match, hierarchy, and reporting limitations. |
Receipt — 2 References
All 2 cited sources were verified for existence at the original page (as of 2026-09-08).
Li Z et al. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2022. PMID: 34931749. DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13323. NCT02983188. Corrigendum PMID: 36210782.
checkedResearch and draft: AI used · Cross-check: blind grading and adversarial audit
Final verification and publication gate: Codex · Verification cutoff: 2026-09-08 · Corrections: none
Final verification and publication gate: Codex · Verification cutoff: 2026-09-08 · Corrections: none
Cite this verdict
[Chamgap] Adjunctive Berberine for Antipsychotic-Associated Weight—A Statistically Significant but Clinically Small 1.08-kg Difference at 12 Weeks — Evidence Grade C·54. 2 cited sources checked. Source: https://chamgap.com/en/verdicts/weight/adjunctive-berberine-antipsychotic-associated-weight/ · CC BY 4.0CC BY 4.0 — free to use with attribution; do not distort grades, numbers, or verdict meaning.
What this document does and does not do
Chamgap is an information source. It reports what research has and has not confirmed; it does not tell readers what to take or buy. That decision belongs to readers and, when needed, medical or legal professionals. This verdict reflects literature available up to the search date and may change as new research appears. Nothing here is medical advice.