The primary hypothesis for this study is that, in nicotine-dependent tobacco smokers, baclofen will be superior to placebo for smoking abstinence measures. The secondary hypothesis is that subjects assigned to the baclofen groups will exhibit higher rates of medication compliance (i.e. take the medication as directed for the trial period) than those in the placebo group. The tertiary hypothesis is that baclofen will lead to significant reductions in tobacco withdrawal and craving ratings as compared to placebo.
This study will test a new medication strategy designed to help smokers quit. It will evaluate Baclofen, a drug currently approved and available in Canada as a myorelaxant. Forty five nicotine-dependent smokers will enroll in this study. Fifteen will receive placebo (inactive pill), fifteen will receive baclofen 30 mg/day, and fifteen will receive baclofen 60 mg/day. Once enrolled, subjects will visit CAMH on a weekly basis for assessment of smoking behaviour, a brief health check (vitals, BP and AE screening), delivery of brief individual smoking cessation counselling, and collection of breath, blood and urine samples (as scheduled) to a) measure levels of nicotine and its metabolites, b) conduct pregnancy and tox testing. The medication phase of this study lasts 12 weeks. Two follow-up visits will be scheduled at week 13 and at six months after trial completion.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
6
Baclofen 30 mg/day for 8 weeks with 2 week induction and 2 week decrease
placebo pill
baclofen 60 mg/day for 8 weeks with 2 week induction and 2 week decrease
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health- 33 Russell St
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Smoking abstinence for 7 days at end of treatment
At end of treatment subjects will report smoking consumption for past 7 days. Subject are considered abstinent based on self report and verfied by CO level (\<10 PPM)
Time frame: end of treatment week 10
Abstinent rate: last four weeks of trial
subjects report cigarette consumption during the last 4 weeks of the clinical trial. abstinence rates are verifed by CO \< 10 PPM
Time frame: last 4 weeks of trial (week 7 to 10)
abstinence rate: for past 7 days at 6 month followup
Subject are asked to attend a 6 month followup. At this time subjects will be asked to report their cigarette consumption for the past 7 days. abstinence is based on this self report and verified by CO levels \<10 PPM
Time frame: 6 month followup
Tiffany Questionnaire of Smoking Urges
tobacco craving is monitored at different time points of the trial
Time frame: screen, week 1,4,7,10, abd 6 month followup
Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale
This scale assesses symptoms of tobacco withdrawal including nicotine craving, irritability, anziety, difficulty conentrating, restlessness, headaches, fatigue, increased appetite, weight gain, and insomnia.
Time frame: Screen, week 1,4,7,10 and 6 month followup
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