A comparison of the abuse liability and dependence potential of nicotine patch, gum, spray and inhaler

What Was Tested

Researchers studied Therapeutic nicotine (patch, non-peptide) in this randomized controlled trial publication.

To compare the abuse liability and dependence potential of nicotine gum, transdermal patch, spray and inhaler.

Measures included: pleasantness and satisfaction ratings at weeks 1 and 4 (used as a marker of abuse liability); ratings of feeling dependent on NRT at weeks 1, 4, 12 and 15 (used as a marker of subjective dependence); mood and physical symptoms ratings at weeks 12 and 15 (the change being used to assess physical dependence on NRT), continued usage of NRT at week 15 (used as an marker of behavioural dependence).

Why It Was Studied

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in varying forms is becoming widely used.

Clinicians, therapists and regulatory authorities are interested in the abuse liability and dependence potential of the different forms.

Who Took Part

By PubMed's age tags, the people studied were adults, both men and women.

How the Study Was Run

In design terms this was a randomized study.

Because people in this Therapeutic nicotine (patch, non-peptide) study were split into groups at random, differences between the groups are less likely to reflect who happened to join each one.

The timeline in the abstract includes 12 weeks.

504 male and female smokers seeking help with stopping smoking were randomly allocated to the four products.

Measures were taken at the designated quit date, then 1 week, 4 weeks, 12 weeks and 15 weeks later.

Smokers were advised to use the product for up to 12 weeks.

Those still using the product at the 12-week visit were advised to cease use by week 14.

What Was Measured

The subject headings attached to it are Analysis of Variance, Behavior, Addictive, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Cholinergic Agents, Nicotine, Polymethacrylic Acids and Polyvinyls.

What This Means in Plain Language

The paper is a randomized study of Therapeutic nicotine (patch, non-peptide) over 12 weeks.

Its findings take up roughly 4 sentences of the abstract and are left out here on purpose; the source paper is the place to read them.

The publication is from 2000 (Psychopharmacology), a journal based in Germany.

More context: the Therapeutic nicotine (patch, non-peptide) compound page, all human trials.