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Effect of Nicotine Replacement on the Cigarette Withdrawal Syndrome
Author(s) -
West R. J.,
Jarvis M. J.,
Russell M. A. H.,
Carruthers M. E.,
Feyerabend C.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
british journal of addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0952-0481
DOI - 10.1111/j.1360-0443.1984.tb00265.x
Subject(s) - irritability , nicotine , abstinence , withdrawal syndrome , medicine , heart rate , nicotine withdrawal , anesthesia , abstinence syndrome , nicotine gum , depression (economics) , psychology , psychiatry , anxiety , blood pressure , alternative medicine , pathology , economics , macroeconomics , placebo
Summary The effect of nicotine replacement on the cigarette withdrawal syndrome was investigated in 48 smokers, who were randomly allocated to chew either 2 mg or.5 mg nicotine gum over 24 hours of cigarette abstinence. Characteristic withdrawal symptoms were observed on the low dose (.5 mg) gum: i.e. increased irritability, depression, restlessness, dizziness and hunger, and decreased ability to concentrate, sociability and composure when in company. In addition there was a drop in heart rate and urinary adrenaline excretion. The 2 mg gum alleviated problems of irritability, depression, and difficulties related to social interaction but not hunger or ability to concentrate. It also reduced the drop in heart rate from 14.9 to 9.7 bpm. The results support the view that nicotine deprivation per se plays a significant role in certain withdrawal effects.