Paid Clinical Trials for Weight Loss

Candace Kastanis

Written by Candace Kastanis

Chemistry B.S. | UC Davis | Clinical Lab Technician

Updated & Fact Checked 3/07/23

What are paid clinical trials for weight loss?

Paid clinical trials for weight loss are designed to explore treatments that aid in achieving long-term weight loss. Clinical trials that specifically target problems with obesity related diseases aim to find solutions that promote a healthy lifestyle and better patient outcomes. As such, clinical trial sponsors recruit volunteers and pay them for their participation. Paid clinical trials for weight loss provide compensation for time, travel, and any care needs related to the study. They do this to help increase public participation in hopes of attracting more diverse patient populations to their study.

How do I find the paid clinical trials for weight loss near me?

Based upon your personal risk factors, your physician may suggest a paid clinical trial for weight loss in your local area. We also recommend checking in periodically with state and local government sponsored websites, research hospitals, and educational institutions as they typically have a plethora of current resources for paid clinical trials for weight loss and related genres.

Who conducts paid clinical trials for weight loss?

There is a great deal of momentum to find better ways to treat obesity-related illnesses. Pharmaceutical companies continue to develop new drug therapies targeted towards achieving weight loss in individuals who are over the recommended BMI. Therefore, various clinical trial sponsors routinely host paid clinical trials dedicated to studying the effectiveness of these drug candidates before they can be entered into the clinical market.


What are the advantages of participating in paid clinical trials for weight loss?

Obesity related illnesses are responsible for approximately 200.000 deaths per year. (Source: NIH) Participating in a paid clinical trial for weight loss allows you to gain access to potentially lifesaving interventions while also being compensated.


What are the disadvantages of participating in paid clinical trials for weight loss?

You may need to make significantly changes in lifestyle to achieve the objectives of the clinical trial. You may also need to attend regular check ins and testing appointments to fulfill the requirements for the paid clinical trial you are participating in. This equates to time and adherence to outlined expectation to receive full compensation values. Other disadvantages may relate to adverse side effects and discomfort from any drug therapies administered during the trial. The most significant downside to participating in a paid clinical trial for weight loss might be disappointment if the therapeutic intervention fails to work as expected.


How do paid clinical trials for weight loss work?

The benchmark for participating in a clinical trial for weight loss is the qualification process. The principal investigator will want to establish you as a viable candidate. This may require pretesting procedures and behavioral evaluations prior to being accepted into the study. Depending on the type of paid study you are participating in, you may be asked to speak with a behavioral health specialist to discuss your personal history of obesity related challenges.

Upon successful enrollment, you will receive medications, medical testing, and any necessary health care expenditures pertaining to the paid clinical study for zero out of pocket costs once successfully enrolled.

The clinical study pathway involves four study classifications to help determine if a new therapeutic is safe for human use.

Phase I Paid Clinical Trials

Phase I clinical trials are targeted towards achieving the safest possible dosage recommendations and determining overall efficacy of the therapeutic method involved. The clinical trial will try to narrow down what if any side effects are involved and the best routes of administration.

Phase II Paid Clinical Trials

Phase II clinical trials is close to the same as Phase I trials, but with expanded data collection and safety assessments. Clinical investigators may choose to expand the patient recruitment profile and or study design to test for more unknowns, and avenues for optimizing patient outcomes.

Phase III Paid Clinical Trials

Phase III clinical trials is aimed at expanding the patient profiles across a diverse randomized participant profile, often including tens of thousands of patients. Phase three trials seek to determine if the new test therapeutic is more or less effective than the current standard of care.

Phase IV Paid Clinical Trials

Phase IV clinical trials are designed to measure the effectiveness over a broader range of diverse patient types. Researchers are also aiming to discover any essential information that may have gone undiscovered during the first three trial phases. At this point, the intervention is close to be introduced to the public market.


What do researchers learn from conducting paid clinical trials for weight loss?

By conducting paid clinical trials for weight loss, researchers can better understand the reasons why certain Indvidual’s may experience more difficulties losing weight as compared to others. You, as a participating patient assist in this process by contributing your information and personal experience by way of the clinical study intervention being studied.

The research community has access to clinical study trial findings all over the globe by what is often to referred to as big data. Biological data banks and biorepositories allow researchers to study a wealth of information for the purpose of developing improved health strategies, drugs, and therapeutics. Collectively, the type of information acquired may include:

  • Historical health history
  • Familial health history
  • Genetic profiles
  • Age
  • Bio-gender
  • Lifestyle
  • Behavioral
  • Drug use
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Supplement use
  • Mental health
  • Cognitive abilities
  • Sensory integration intelligence

Commonly Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • How much are participants compensated in paid clinical trials for weight loss?

    Paid clinical trial participants aimed at weight loss may receive compensation range from $45 per day to $500 per day depending on the clinical trial type and sponsor.

    As a clinical trial participant, you will be expected to engage in routine check-ins, testing, evaluations, and may be asked in return to perform various health-related tasks. It is common when participating in a paid clinical trial for weight loss for patients to be required to:

    • To maintain a health diary or journal
    • Adhere to medication schedules
    • Allow for routine lab tests for the duration of the trial
    • Allow for neurological testing
    • Engage in behavioral therapy
    • Maintain availability for any group weight-loss therapies
    • Lose a certain amount of weight in a specified time interval

  • How do I find out if I am eligible to participate in a paid clinical trial for weight loss?

    The eligibility criteria may vary according to the clinical trial type and sponsor. However, since the aim is directed at weight loss, you as a patient may need to have a demonstrated long-term problem with obesity. Pre-existing health and risk factors also contribute to the selection criteria as they would like to ensure a safe experience.

    Eligibility for paid clinical trials for weight loss may depend on your personal health information related to:

    • Age preferences
    • Gender
    • Occupation
    • Lifestyle
    • Preexisting health challenges
    • Long-term goals
    • Health history

  • Will participation in a paid clinical trial for weight loss prevent me from leaving prior to completion?

    Participation in any clinical trial is strictly voluntary. You can leave at any time for any reason, however, leaving early could affect compensation. Often, paid clinical participants choose to leave because of family obligations, or unforeseen circumstances of some kind. It is in the clinical sponsors best interest for all participants to complete the trial objectives successfully. So, you should expect a lot of cooperation on their part to help you finish without any hiccups.

  • What type of information is normally collected in paid clinical trials for weight loss?

    For those interested in participating in paid clinical trials for smokers, you should expect information requests as it pertains to lifestyle, family history, etc. Researchers will use this information to determine if you are a good fit for the study.

    Once determined eligible and you move forward in the trial process, patients typically must submit to routine laboratory testing alongside other necessary treatment modalities. Testing and any information learned along the way, helps to keep you safe and measure the effectiveness of the drug interventions being studied.

  • How long do paid clinical trials for weight loss usually last?

    Clinical trials do not have set timelines and vary from study to study. Clinical trial lengths are dependent upon a series of ongoing factors such as:

    • Patient recruitment and retention
    • Patient health
    • The type of paid clinical trial I.e., randomized, double-blind
    • Adverse health reactions or results
    • Post-clinical trial care and follow-ups

  • If I am interested in participating in a paid clinical trial for weight loss, what questions should I ask?

    Clinical trial investigators must disclose all relative information about the paid clinical trial you are enrolled in and any inherent risk factors. This disclosure process is called informed consent.

    The NIH maintains clear guidance for the structure and safety of clinical trial execution. There is a strict emphasis on patient safety, and as such, an informed consent disclosure must include the following information:

    1. The comprehensive nature of the treatment, procedure, or drug.
    2. Any inherent risks associated with the intended treatment methods.
    3. Reasonable alternatives to the procedure or treatment intervention.
    4. Assessment and acknowledgment that you understand items 1-3.

    Informed consent is required and articulates the agreement between you, your healthcare physician, and clinical trial sponsors. The purpose of informed consent is to provide the patient with the details of every facet of the intended clinical trial study plan. This goal of informed consent is to establish trust and confidence between the eligible participant and the clinical trial sponsor team leads.

  • What to ask:

    – Inquire as to the goals or aim of the highly paid clinical trial.
    – Ask what happens if you lose weight too quickly?
    – Inquire about the predicted amount of weight loss is expected? Or optimal?
    – Ask what benefits you are entitled to such as post trial care services.
    – Ask if you will need access to home-exercise equipment or gym access.
    – Clarify the type and means for any out-of-pocket expenses for meal planning or supplementation.
    – Clarify the exact method of compensation and timeline for payments.
    – Clarify any travel and accommodations that may be necessary and their corresponding expenses.
    – You may ask if family members may accompany you during hospital stays or doctor visits.
    – It would be appropriate to ask questions related to likelihood of discomfort, pain, or side effects that may be experienced.
    – Inquire about the number of clinical visits may be expected.
    – Ask what home-care services and strategies are available during the paid clinical trial.
    – Make sure you are clear on any procedures, drug interactions, and long-term consequences associated with the trial intervention.
    – Inquire about the length of speculation of hospital stays along with any associated costs.
    – Some clinical studies are randomized trial designs where they include the use of a placebo. Therefore, asking what type of trial design and what is involved with the paid clinical study you are interested in.
    – Inquire about the endpoint findings and any access to results.
    – Inquire as to the number of patients will be recruited.