Physical dependence on nicotine gum: effect of duration of use.
This study examined whether longer duration on nicotine gum promoted dependence on nicotine gum. Subjects (N = 128) answering an advertisement for smoking cessation research and wanting to quit smoking cigarettes were randomly assigned to 1- or 3-month duration of nicotine gum use. Assessments were made weekly for smoking status (with biochemical verification) and withdrawal symptoms during and at the end of treatment. Follow-up was conducted at 1, 6 and 12 months to provide exploratory data on treatment outcome. The results showed minimal nicotine gum withdrawal symptoms after gum cessation with virtually no difference in gum withdrawal between the 1- and 3-month groups. Withdrawal symptoms from the nicotine gum included difficulty with concentration, increased variability on a reaction time task, and decreased vigor. The results also showed that continuous use of the gum at 1 year was observed in 1.5% of subjects and estimated to be as high as 14%. Finally, the 3-month group experienced a 2-fold increase in abstinence compared to the 1-month group, although this difference was not statistically significant. We conclude that there is minimal physical dependence on nicotine gum.
Hatsukami
D
D
University of Minnesota, Department of Psychiatry, Minneapolis 55455.
Huber
M
M
Callies
A
A
Skoog
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002638:Chewing Gum; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012907:Smoking / Q000188:drug therapy; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002638:Chewing Gum; D009538:Nicotine