title: Varenicline for opioid withdrawal in patients with chronic pain: a randomized, single-blinded, placebo controlled pilot trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objectives of this randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled pilot trial were to investigate the effects of varenicline on opioid withdrawal among chronic pain patients undergoing opioid detoxification in an interdisciplinary pain program and the feasibility of varenicline use in this population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-one patients were recruited (varenicline=10, placebo=11), and 7 patients in the varenicline and 11 in the placebo group completed the study. Opioid withdrawal was quantified using the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale, and varenicline-related adverse effects were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Opioid withdrawal scores tended to decrease over the course of opioid tapering in those receiving varenicline and increase in those receiving placebo. Varenicline was well-tolerated in this population, with no adverse drug effects (including nausea) observed and no effect on improvements in pain severity and depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This randomized pilot study provides preliminary data for future trials of varenicline in opioid-dependent adults with chronic pain undergoing medically directed opioid detoxification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States. Electronic address: hooten.william@mayo.edu.
authors.forename: W Michael
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Hooten
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, United States.
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Warner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000068580:Varenicline
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D001552:Benzazepines; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D011810:Quinoxalines; D000068580:Varenicline
keywords: Chronic pain; Opioid withdrawal; Varenicline