title: High dose transdermal nicotine for fast metabolizers of nicotine: a proof of concept placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smokers with a faster rate of nicotine metabolism, estimated using the ratio of 3'-hydroxycotinine (3-HC) to cotinine, have lower plasma nicotine levels and are more likely to relapse with 21 mg nicotine patch therapy, than smokers with slower rates of nicotine metabolism. Thus, faster metabolizers of nicotine may require a higher nicotine patch dose to achieve cessation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This proof of concept randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of 8 weeks of 42 mg transdermal nicotine versus 21 mg, among 87 fast metabolizers of nicotine (3-HC/cotinine ≥ 0.18).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 1 week of treatment, an intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed that participants treated with 42 mg nicotine had significantly higher expired-air carbon monoxide (CO)-confirmed 24-hr abstinence (75% vs. 58.1%; OR = 3.21; 95% CI: 1.12-9.24, p = .03) but not 7-day abstinence (50% vs. 34.9%; OR = 2.02; 95% CI: 0.82-4.94, p = .13). After 8 weeks of treatment, ITT analysis showed that participants treated with 42 mg nicotine had marginally higher rates of CO-confirmed 24-hr abstinence (45.5% vs. 30.2%; OR = 2.32; 95% CI: 0.92-5.92, p = .08) but not 7-day abstinence (29.6% vs. 23.3%; OR = 1.52, 95% CI: 0.57-4.07, p = .41). Percent nicotine and cotinine replacement were significantly greater for 42 mg nicotine versus 21 mg (p < .005). There were no significant differences between treatment arms in the frequency of severe side effects and serious adverse events or blood pressure during treatment (p > .10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further examination of the efficacy of 42 mg nicotine patch therapy for fast metabolizers of nicotine is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. schnoll@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Schnoll
authors.forename: E Paul
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Wileyto
authors.forename: Frank T
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Rachel F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Tyndale
authors.forename: Neal L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Benowitz
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D003367:Cotinine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D010919:Placebos
chemical_list: D010919:Placebos; D009538:Nicotine; D003367:Cotinine