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Updated: Jul 5, 2026

A General Method for Evaluating Incubation of Sucrose Craving in Rats
Published on: November 4, 2011
Comparison of craving and withdrawal among four combination nicotine treatments
Nina G Schneider1, Chris Cortner, Jessica L Gould
1Nicotine Dependence Research Unit, Veteran Affairs Greater Los Angeles (VAGLA) Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California 90073, USA. ngs@ucla.edu
Objective:
To assess the appearance of craving and withdrawal among four combination nicotine replacement treatments (NRTs).
Methods:
In a crossover trial of NRT preferences, 27 smokers tested 4 combinations of nicotine treatments: 2 mg/4 mg gums + 15 mg patch, 2 mg/4 mg lozenges + 15 mg patch, inhalers + 15 mg patch, and 10 + 15 mg double patch (approximately 25 mg). Overnight abstinence was required prior to (1/2) day testing of each combination. Combination NRTs were used for approximately 6 h/day. Subjects resumed smoking each afternoon. For this report, we used the Smoker Anchored Withdrawal Grid to look at craving and withdrawal scores over 5 days of testing (smoking baseline + four treatment days).
Results:
"Urge to smoke" and "total withdrawal" showed a rise from baseline to NRT use for the double patch but not for the three acute + patch conditions. Lozenge/patch scores did not rise from baseline for "craving" and "miss a cigarette" but did for gum/patch, inhaler/patch, and double patch. The best relief occurred for NRTs of choice.
Conclusion:
This was a small but suggestive finding regarding the potential of patch plus adjunct ad lib NRT. With little data on relief with NRT combinations, more systematic tests are needed.
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