title: The effects of extended pre-quit varenicline treatment on smoking behavior and short-term abstinence: a randomized clinical trial.
abstract: Preclinical research and learning theory suggest that a longer duration of varenicline treatment prior to the target quit date (TQD) would reduce smoking rates before cessation and improve abstinence outcomes. A double-blind randomized controlled trial tested this hypothesis in 60 smokers randomized to either an Extended run-in group (4 weeks of pre-TQD varenicline) or a Standard run-in group (3 weeks of placebo, 1 week of pre-TQD varenicline); all the participants received 11 weeks of post-TQD varenicline and brief counseling. During the pre-quit run-in, the reduction in smoking rates was greater in the Extended run-in group than in the Standard run-in group (42% vs. 24%, P < 0.01), and this effect was greater in women than in men (57% vs. 26%, P = 0.001). The rate of continuous abstinence during the final 4 weeks of treatment was higher among women in the Extended group compared to women in the Standard run-in group (67% vs. 35%). Although these data suggest that extension of varenicline treatment reduces smoking during the pre-quit period and may further enhance cessation rates, confirmatory evidence is needed from phase III clinical trials.
authors: Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA. lhawk@buffalo.edu
authors: L W
authors: LW
authors: Hawk
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Ashare
authors: S F
authors: SF
authors: Lohnes
authors: N J
authors: NJ
authors: Schlienz
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Rhodes
authors: S T
authors: ST
authors: Tiffany
authors: J C
authors: JC
authors: Gass
authors: K M
authors: KM
authors: Cummings
authors: M C
authors: MC
authors: Mahoney
mesh_terms: D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000188:drug therapy; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome; D013997:Time Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000068580:Varenicline; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068580:Varenicline