N-acetylcysteine is an inexpensive agent with a benign side effect profile with preliminary studies in humans suggesting efficacy for the treatment of cocaine dependence. N-acetylcysteine has been used in clinical medicine for nearly three decades to treat chronic lung conditions, acetaminophen overdose, and experimentally to treat cocaine dependence. It is generally safe and well tolerated. The present pilot study seeks to explore safety and tolerability, ad lib smoking, visual cue reactivity, and smoking reduction rates in a group of nontreatment seeking, nicotine dependence smokers who are willing to undergo a brief trial with oral N-acetylcysteine 1200 mg twice daily.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
33
2400mg (1200mg b.i.d., 600mg capsules, p.o.)
Identically appearing placebo capsules, packaged in an N-acetylcysteine "slurry" so that placebo has similar odor as active NAC capsules
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Carbon Monoxide Levels
Time frame: Weekly
Smoking Level
Time frame: Weekly
Craving Levels (Questionnaire for Smoking Urges -- Brief)
Time frame: Weekly
Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS)
Time frame: Weekly
Smoking Level
Time frame: Daily
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