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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Feb;15(2):348-54.
doi: 10.1093/ntr/nts129. Epub 2012 May 15.

High dose transdermal nicotine for fast metabolizers of nicotine: a proof of concept placebo-controlled trial

Robert A Schnoll  1 , E Paul Wileyto, Frank T Leone, Rachel F Tyndale, Neal L Benowitz
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

High dose transdermal nicotine for fast metabolizers of nicotine: a proof of concept placebo-controlled trial

Robert A Schnoll et al. Nicotine Tob Res. 2013 Feb.

Abstract

Introduction: Smokers with a faster rate of nicotine metabolism, estimated using the ratio of 3'-hydroxycotinine (3-HC) to cotinine, have lower plasma nicotine levels and are more likely to relapse with 21 mg nicotine patch therapy, than smokers with slower rates of nicotine metabolism. Thus, faster metabolizers of nicotine may require a higher nicotine patch dose to achieve cessation.

Methods: This proof of concept randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of 8 weeks of 42 mg transdermal nicotine versus 21 mg, among 87 fast metabolizers of nicotine (3-HC/cotinine ≥ 0.18).

Results: After 1 week of treatment, an intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed that participants treated with 42 mg nicotine had significantly higher expired-air carbon monoxide (CO)-confirmed 24-hr abstinence (75% vs. 58.1%; OR = 3.21; 95% CI: 1.12-9.24, p = .03) but not 7-day abstinence (50% vs. 34.9%; OR = 2.02; 95% CI: 0.82-4.94, p = .13). After 8 weeks of treatment, ITT analysis showed that participants treated with 42 mg nicotine had marginally higher rates of CO-confirmed 24-hr abstinence (45.5% vs. 30.2%; OR = 2.32; 95% CI: 0.92-5.92, p = .08) but not 7-day abstinence (29.6% vs. 23.3%; OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 0.57-4.07, p = .41). Percent nicotine and cotinine replacement were significantly greater for 42 mg nicotine versus 21 mg (p < .005). There were no significant differences between treatment arms in the frequency of severe side effects and serious adverse events or blood pressure during treatment (p > .10).

Conclusions: Further examination of the efficacy of 42 mg nicotine patch therapy for fast metabolizers of nicotine is warranted.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
CONSORT Diagram. Note. There were no significant differences between treatment arms with respect to the number of participants who were lost to follow-up, withdrew from the trial, or were not reachable for biochemical confirmation of smoking status; * indicates where sample was collected to determine 3-HC/cotinine ratio.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Abstinence rates across treatment arms, ITT (top) and completers-only (bottom). Note. ITT indicates intent-to-treat analysis; bars show proportion quit, and numbers atop columns show number of participants.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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