The purpose of this study is to test whether the addition of a nicotine patch to varenicline increases smoking cessation success rate and whether the combination is safe.
This is a phase-II multicenter study involving 438 smokers, to be conducted at 7 sites in South Africa, over 6 months. In a randomized 1:1 allocation varenicline tartrate 1 mg twice daily, given in an incremental dosage for the first week before target quit date (TQD), will be compared to varenicline tartrate in the same dose combined with a 15mg nicotine patch. The nicotine patch (active and placebo) will be provided by McNeil. The patch will be given 2 weeks prior TQD. Treatment duration from TQD is 12 weeks with varenicline being tapered off during week 13. A total of 12 clinic visits and 1 telephonic contact is planned for the 6-month study duration. The main efficacy outcome will be the 4-week continuous abstinence rate during the last four weeks of treatment, i.e. weeks 9 - 12. Efficacy assessments will be based on a Nicotine Use Inventory and measurements of end-expiratory exhaled carbon monoxide. Safety assessments will be based on adverse events evaluation, with special attention being given to the occurrence of nausea during the pretreatment period, as well as neuro-psychiatric symptoms such as depression or suicidal ideation. Participants will not be subjected to any invasive procedures. This protocol is based on current evidence and two further abstracts presented at the European Respiratory Society Conference in Vienna, September 2009, that a combination of varenicline tartrate and nicotine replacement therapy indicate superior efficacy in cessation rate, but also an excellent good safety profile. This study relates to the area of pharmacotherapy of smoking cessation, and will answer a frequently asked question. Importantly, several leading pulmonologists with experience in smoking cessation in South Africa have expressed their keen interest to participate in this study.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
446
active nicotine patches added to varenicline.
placebo nicotine patches added to varenicline.
Respiratory Research Unit
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Synopsis Research
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
UCT Lung Institute
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Dr JA O'Brien
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
continuous abstinence (CAR) from weeks 9 to 12 of treatment
The primary endpoint is the 4-week continuous abstincence rate for week 9 - 12 of treatment, i.e. the proportion of patients who are able to maintain complete abstinence from cigarette smoking and other nicotine use, with end-expiratory exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) measurements 10 ppm or less, for the planned last 4 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: 3 months
CAR from weeks 9 to 24
The secondary endpoint is the 4-week continuous abstincence rate for week 9 - 24 of treatment, i.e. the proportion of patients who are able to maintain complete abstinence from cigarette smoking and other nicotine use, with end-expiratory exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) measurements 10 ppm or less, for the planned last 4 weeks of treatment.
Time frame: 6 months
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Dr AHH Brüning
Gatesville / Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Dr MS Abdool-Gaffar
eManzimtoti, South Africa
Dr C Smith
Sandton, South Africa