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Phase 2 N=24 Randomized Double-blind Treatment

Varenicline and Smoking Cessation in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia · Smoking Cessation

Enrolled (actual)
24
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Jul 2014
Primary outcome: Primary: Smoking Abstinence - Serum/Urine Measurements — 198.67; 207; 213.8; 22.57 ng/mL — p=>0.05

Study Design & Population

Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Interventions
Sugar Pill (Other); Varenicline (Drug); Bupropion HCl (Drug)
Age
Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
Sex
All
Sponsor
University of Minnesota
Primary completion
Aug 2012

Outcome Measures

OutcomeResultp-value
PRIMARY
Smoking Abstinence - Serum/Urine Measurements
198.67; 207; 213.8; 22.57; 6; 15.4 >0.05
PRIMARY
Smoking Abstinence - Number of Cigarettes Smoked
19.71; 9.4; 17.1 >0.05
PRIMARY
Smoking Abstinence - Exhaled Carbon Monoxide
21.14; 17; 22.6 >0.05
SECONDARY
Reduction in Smoking
2; 2; 1; 2; 2; 1 >0.05
SECONDARY
Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia - SANS
5.86; 17.2; 6.20; 1.71; 3.8; 1.6 >0.05
SECONDARY
Impulsivity and Inattention
5.62; 0.68; 2.42; 36.11; 25; 28.33 >0.05
SECONDARY
Side Effects
3; 3; 0; 0; 0; 1 >0.05
SECONDARY
Abstinence-related Symptoms - MNWS and FTND
4.86; 5.2; 4.4; 7.29; 8.2; 6.60 >0.05
SECONDARY
Depression
3.71; 8.6; 5.4 >0.05
SECONDARY
Abnormal Movements - BAS and SAS
0.2; 0.76; 0.42; 0.57; 0.6; 0.4 >0.05
SECONDARY
Vital Signs
116.29; 122; 128.4; 76.71; 78.4; 74.8 >0.05
SECONDARY
Vital Signs - Weight
218.39; 213.47; 254.78 >0.05
SECONDARY
Vital Signs - Pulse
82.57; 87; 89.2 >0.05
SECONDARY
Suicidality
1.71; 0.8; 0.4; 1.29; 1.2; 0.4 >0.05
SECONDARY
Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia (SAPS)
3.43; 7; 10.6; 1.29; 1.2; 1.8 >0.05
SECONDARY
General Psychopathology
30; 34.2; 31.6; 8.14; 9; 8 >0.05
SECONDARY
Hit Reaction Time - CPT
42.44; 67.61; 63.81; 7.20; 6.96; 8.79 >0.05
SECONDARY
Variability of Standard Error - CPT
11.05; 11.38; 11.8 >0.05
SECONDARY
Detectibility (d') of Continuous Performance Test
0.71; 1.32; 1.09 >0.05
SECONDARY
Response Style Indicator (Beta) for CPT
0.95; 1.41; 2.92 >0.05
SECONDARY
Abstinence Related Symptoms - WISDM
229.14; 229.4; 270.6; 11.57; 15.4; 23.2 >0.05
SECONDARY
Urge to Smoke - MNWS
36.43; 47; 47; 26.43; 33; 32.4 >0.05
SECONDARY
Abnormal Movements - AIMS
0.71; 1; 1.40; 0; 0.2; 0.4 >0.05

Summary

There is a strong association between smoking and schizophrenia with prevalence rates ranging from 74% to 90%, versus a national average of 30% in nonschizophrenic individuals. A number of hypotheses have been proposed to explain the relationship between high smoking rates and schizophrenia, mostly relating to self-medication primarily for the negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Smoking cessation rates among schizophrenic patients are considerably lower than for other psychiatric disorders. The negative health effects of smoking increase the morbidity and mortality in schizophrenic patients. Currently, the efficacy of bupropion HCl in the treatment of smoking by schizophrenic subjects is inconclusive, and there have not been any published studies of the efficacy of varenicline in schizophrenic subjects. As varenicline appears to be a promising treatment in non-psychiatric patients, it would be useful to expand these studies to examine its effects in schizophrenic patients. Identifying effective and safe means of smoking cessation for this vulnerable population has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality among individuals with schizophrenia.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

  • Male or female subjects, 18-75 years old
  • Diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) criteria
  • Smoking at least 10 cigarettes per day
  • Weight of at least 100 lbs (45.4 kg)
  • Motivation to quit smoking
  • Stabilized psychotic symptoms
  • Provision of informed consent for testing and treatment

Exclusion Criteria

  • Serious cardiac, renal, hypertensive, pulmonary, endocrine, or neurologic disorder
  • Seizure disorder, recent withdrawal from alcohol or anxiolytics
  • History of bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, or dementia
  • History of depression, panic, or bipolar disorders
  • Pregnancy or lactation
  • Prior use of varenicline or bupropion HCl within three months prior to initiation of the study
  • Current use of other smoking cessation treatments
  • Regular use of non-cigarette tobacco products (> than once/week)
  • Past substance abuse (alcohol or non-nicotine containing drugs) in the preceding 6 months
  • Patients with suicidal ideations or plans
  • Florid psychosis or increasing psychosis following varenicline or bupropion HCl treatment
  • History of, or current, alcohol dependence/abuse
  • Current use of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI)
View full record on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01111149). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.

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