Effects of nicotine gum on prevalence and severity of withdrawal in female cigarette smokers.
This study examines the extent to which 2 mg nicotine gum reduces the prevalence and severity of cigarette withdrawal signs and symptoms. The sample was comprised of women who were randomly assigned to chew 2 mg nicotine gum (N = 206) or no nicotine gum (N = 211). Signs and symptoms of withdrawal were assessed at days 2, 7, 14, and 28 post-cessation. The results showed a significant effect of 2 mg nicotine compared to no gum at 2 days post-cessation on the prevalence of the following symptoms: anxious/tense, difficulty concentrating, restless, impatient, somatic symptoms, insomnia, increased eating, and drowsiness. There were additional differences between the two groups for the severity of craving for cigarettes, irritable/angry, excessive hunger, and total withdrawal score. Over the course of 28 days post-cessation, significant Group and/or Group x Time interaction effects were found with regard to the severity of signs and symptoms for the following variables: impatient, insomnia, increased eating, irritable, difficulty concentrating, restless, somatic complaints, and total withdrawal score. These results are similar to those obtained from placebo-controlled trials for nicotine gum.
Hatsukami
D
D
Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455.
McBride
C
C
Pirie
P
P
Hellerstedt
W
W
Lando
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*
D002638:Chewing Gum; D009538:Nicotine