 |
 |

A Randomized Trial of Nortriptyline for Smoking Cessation
Allan V. Prochazka, MD, MSc;
Michael J. Weaver, MD, MHS;
Richard T. Keller, BSN, MN;
G. Edward Fryer, PhD;
Patricia A. Licari, MSHA;
Donna Lofaso, BSN
Arch Intern Med. 1998;158:2035-2039.
Background Smoking cessation rates with current therapy are suboptimal. One class of drugs that may improve cessation is the tricyclics.
Objective To add nortriptyline hydrochloride to a behavioral smoking cessation program to enhance cessation rates and reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Subjects and Methods We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at an affiliated Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and an Army Medical Center. Subjects were aged 18 through 70 years, smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day, and were without current major depression. Nortriptyline hydrochloride or matched placebo was started at 25 mg before bed 10 days prior to quit day and titrated to 75 mg/d or to the maximal tolerated dose. The behavioral intervention consisted of 2 group sessions and 12 individual follow-up visits. Withdrawal symptoms were measured using a daily diary, and smoking cessation was defined as self-reported abstinence, expired carbon monoxide of 9 ppm or less, and a 6-month urine cotinine level of less than 50 ng/mL.
Results A total of 214 patients were randomized (108 to nortriptyline and 106 to placebo). There was a significant reduction in several withdrawal symptoms including anxious/tense, anger/irritability, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and impatience by day 8 after quit day in the nortriptyline group. The cessation rate at 6 months was 15 (14%) of 108 and 3 (3%) of 106, respectively (P=.003; absolute difference, 11%; 95% confidence interval, -18% to -4%). Nortriptyline caused frequent adverse effects, including dry mouth (64%) and dysgeusia (20%).
Conclusions We conclude that nortriptyline led to an increased short-term cessation rate compared with placebo. In addition, there were significant, but relatively small, reductions in withdrawal symptoms. Nortriptyline may represent a new therapeutic approach to smoking cessation.
From the Ambulatory Care, Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Denver, Colo (Dr Prochazka and Mss Licari and Lofaso); the Division of General Internal Medicine (Dr Prochazka and Ms Licari) and the Department of Family Medicine (Dr Fryer), University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver; Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colo (Dr Weaver and Mr Keller); Inteck Incorporated, Denver (Dr Weaver); and the 528th Medical Detachment, United States Army, Fort Bragg, NC (Mr Keller).
CiteULike Connotea Del.icio.us Digg Reddit Technorati Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
 |
Smoking Behavior Postmyocardial Infarction Among ENRICHD Trial Participants: Cognitive Behavior Therapy Intervention for Depression and Low Perceived Social Support Compared With Care as Usual
Trockel et al.
Psychosom. Med. 2008;70:875-882.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Review: Stroke prevention: modifying risk factors
Romero et al.
Ther Adv Cardiovasc Dis 2008;2:287-303.
ABSTRACT
Efficacy of Bupropion and Nortriptyline for Smoking Cessation Among People at Risk for or With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Wagena et al.
Arch Intern Med 2005;165:2286-2292.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Pharmacotherapy for Nicotine Dependence
Henningfield et al.
CA Cancer J Clin 2005;55:281-299.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
A Randomized Trial of Nortriptyline Combined With Transdermal Nicotine for Smoking Cessation
Prochazka et al.
Arch Intern Med 2004;164:2229-2233.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Extended Nortriptyline and Psychological Treatment for Cigarette Smoking
Hall et al.
Am. J. Psychiatry 2004;161:2100-2107.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Psychological Intervention and Antidepressant Treatment in Smoking Cessation
Hall et al.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 2002;59:930-936.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Stopping Smoking* : A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Study Comparing Nortriptyline to Placebo
da Costa et al.
Chest 2002;122:403-408.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence
Rigotti
NEJM 2002;346:506-512.
FULL TEXT
Antidepressants in the treatment of patients with COPD: possible associations between smoking cigarettes, COPD and depression
WAGENA et al.
Thorax 2001;56:587a-588.
FULL TEXT
Depressive Symptoms and Cigarette Smoking Among Teens
Goodman and Capitman
Pediatrics 2000;106:748-755.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
A 36-Year-Old Woman Who Smokes Cigarettes
Rigotti
JAMA 2000;284:741-749.
FULL TEXT
Antidepressants and Smoking Cessation
Gambassi et al.
Arch Intern Med 1999;159:1257-1258.
FULL TEXT
|