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[Weaning of young smokers using a transdermal nicotine patch]
R E Ehrsam1, A Bühler, P Müller
1Institut für Sport der Med. Fakultät, Universität Basel.
Schweizerische Rundschau Fur Medizin Praxis = Revue Suisse De Medecine Praxis
|February 12, 1991
Summary
Transdermal nicotine system (TNS) significantly increased smoking abstinence rates compared to placebo in young, dependent smokers. While TNS reduced some withdrawal symptoms, it also caused localized skin irritation in some users.
Area of Science:
- Addiction Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Nicotine dependence is a significant public health issue.
- Effective pharmacotherapies are crucial for tobacco cessation.
- Transdermal nicotine systems (TNS) are a common aid for smoking cessation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerance of transdermal nicotine system (TNS) as an adjunct therapy for tobacco withdrawal.
- To assess the impact of TNS on smoking abstinence and withdrawal symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 112 young, nicotine-dependent smokers.
- Participants received either TNS or placebo for nine weeks, with stepwise dose reduction.
- Abstinence was verified biochemically (cotinine) at nine-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Post-treatment abstinence rates were 39.3% for TNS users versus 19.6% for placebo users (p < 0.05).
- Nine-month follow-up abstinence rates were 12.5% for TNS and 3.6% for placebo (not significant).
- TNS use significantly reduced tenseness, difficulty concentrating, and hunger, but not cigarette craving.
Conclusions:
- Transdermal nicotine system (TNS) is effective in improving short-term abstinence rates and reducing specific withdrawal symptoms in young smokers.
- While TNS shows promise, long-term abstinence rates were not significantly different from placebo.
- Localized skin erythema was the primary side effect, leading to dropouts in a small percentage of TNS users.