Efficacy of acute administration of nicotine gum in relief of cue-provoked cigarette craving.
BACKGROUND
Acute cravings, often provoked by exposure to smoking cues, appear to be important triggers for smoking relapse. Relief of acute craving may therefore be an important step in preventing relapse.


OBJECTIVE
This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of nicotine gum in relieving acute craving.


METHODS
A multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted with smokers ( n=296) who quit by using either active or inactive gum for 3 days. On their third day of abstinence, smokers participated in a laboratory session in which they were exposed to a provocative smoking cue, chewed active or inactive gum, and then rated their craving at 5-min intervals for 35 min.


RESULTS
Craving initially decreased in both groups. After 15 min, however, the smokers using active nicotine gum experienced significantly greater craving reductions.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that nicotine gum can effectively reduce acute craving following exposure to smoking cues.
Shiffman
Saul
S
Pinney Associates and the University of Pittsburgh, 201 North Craig Street, Suite 320, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. shiffman@pinneyassociates.com
Shadel
William G
WG
Niaura
Raymond
R
Khayrallah
Moise A
MA
Jorenby
Douglas E
DE
Ryan
Charles F
CF
Ferguson
Clifford L
CL
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002638:Chewing Gum; D003463:Cues; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002638:Chewing Gum; D009538:Nicotine