Premium
The Effects of Extended Pre‐Quit Varenicline Treatment on Smoking Behavior and Short‐Term Abstinence: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Author(s) -
Hawk L W,
Ashare R L,
Lohnes S F,
Schlienz N J,
Rhodes J D,
Tiffany S T,
Gass J C,
Cummings K M,
Mahoney M C
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical pharmacology and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.941
H-Index - 188
eISSN - 1532-6535
pISSN - 0009-9236
DOI - 10.1038/clpt.2011.317
Subject(s) - varenicline , abstinence , smoking cessation , randomized controlled trial , medicine , placebo , placebo group , clinical trial , anesthesia , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology
Preclinical research and learning theory suggest that a longer duration of varenicline treatment prior to the target quit date (TQD) would reduce smoking rates before cessation and improve abstinence outcomes. A double‐blind randomized controlled trial tested this hypothesis in 60 smokers randomized to either an Extended run‐in group (4 weeks of pre‐TQD varenicline) or a Standard run‐in group (3 weeks of placebo, 1 week of pre‐TQD varenicline); all the participants received 11 weeks of post‐TQD varenicline and brief counseling. During the pre‐quit run‐in, the reduction in smoking rates was greater in the Extended run‐in group than in the Standard run‐in group (42% vs. 24%, P < 0.01), and this effect was greater in women than in men (57% vs. 26%, P = 0.001). The rate of continuous abstinence during the final 4 weeks of treatment was higher among women in the Extended group compared to women in the Standard run‐in group (67% vs. 35%). Although these data suggest that extension of varenicline treatment reduces smoking during the pre‐quit period and may further enhance cessation rates, confirmatory evidence is needed from phase III clinical trials. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2012); 91 2, 172–180. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2011.317