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Comparison of craving and withdrawal among four combination nicotine treatments
Author(s) -
Schneider Nina G.,
Cortner Chris,
Gould Jessica L.,
Koury Margaret A.,
Olmstead Richard E.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.947
Subject(s) - craving , nicotine withdrawal , nicotine , psychology , medicine , psychiatry , addiction
Objective To assess the appearance of craving and withdrawal among four combination nicotine replacement treatments (NRTs). Methods In a crossover trial of NRT preferences, 27 smokers tested 4 combinations of nicotine treatments: 2 mg/4 mg gums + 15 mg patch, 2 mg/4 mg lozenges + 15 mg patch, inhalers + 15 mg patch, and 10 + 15 mg double patch (∼25 mg). Overnight abstinence was required prior to ½ day testing of each combination. Combination NRTs were used for ∼6 h/day. Subjects resumed smoking each afternoon. For this report, we used the Smoker Anchored Withdrawal Grid to look at craving and withdrawal scores over 5 days of testing (smoking baseline + four treatment days). Results “Urge to smoke” and “total withdrawal” showed a rise from baseline to NRT use for the double patch but not for the three acute + patch conditions. Lozenge/patch scores did not rise from baseline for “craving” and “miss a cigarette” but did for gum/patch, inhaler/patch, and double patch. The best relief occurred for NRTs of choice. Conclusion This was a small but suggestive finding regarding the potential of patch plus adjunct ad lib NRT. With little data on relief with NRT combinations, more systematic tests are needed. Published in 2008 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.