The investigators will randomize smokers to receive 1) Varenicline + smoking cessation/reduction counseling or 2) Placebo pill + smoking cessation/reduction counseling. Neither the participants nor the research therapists/evaluators will know to which condition (active or placebo pill) the participants have been assigned i.e., a double-blind study). The medication and weekly counseling will occur for 28 days. Participants will complete assessment measures just before the start of treatment (baseline), at the end-of-treatment, at 1-month, 3-month, and at 6-months to determine if there are differences in tobacco use between treatment groups.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
73
Participants randomized to receive varenicline will follow the Pfizer recommended dosing schedule (0.5 mg QD on days 1-3, 0.5 mg BID on days 4-7, and 1 mg BID thereafter.
Participants randomized to receive placebo pill will follow the same dosing schedule as those randomized to receive varenicline (1 pill labelled 0.5 mg on days 1-3, pills labelled 0.5 mg BID on days 4-7, and pills labelled 1 mg BID thereafter.
Division of Addiction Psychiatry
New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States
Cigarette Reduction
50% reduction in cigarettes per day as compared to baseline. Missing data are assumed to NOT have reduced.
Time frame: At 6-month follow-up
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