• About
  • Masthead
  • License Content
  • Advertise
  • Submit Press Release
  • RSS/Email List
  • 2MM Podcast
  • Write for us
  • Contact Us
2 Minute Medicine
No Result
View All Result

No products in the cart.

SUBSCRIBE
  • Specialties
    • All Specialties, All Recent Reports
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharma
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • AI Roundup
  • Pharma
  • The Scan+
  • Classics™+
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Podcasts
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
2 Minute Medicine
  • Specialties
    • All Specialties, All Recent Reports
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharma
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • AI Roundup
  • Pharma
  • The Scan+
  • Classics™+
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Podcasts
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
SUBSCRIBE
2 Minute Medicine
Subscribe
Home All Specialties Chronic Disease

Combination treatment with varenicline and nicotine patch improves smoking cessation outcomes for concurrent alcohol users

byZoya GomesandMichael Pratte
April 7, 2022
in Chronic Disease, Psychiatry, Public Health
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

1. In this randomized controlled trial, combined treatment with varenicline and nicotine patch produced higher smoking cessation rates versus nicotine patch with placebo over a 12-week period for 122 participants who concurrently consumed alcohol in excess.

2. There was no significant difference in reduction of alcohol consumption in the varenicline group versus placebo.

Evidence Rating Level: 1 (Excellent)

Study Rundown: Concurrent use of both tobacco and alcohol results in higher rates of cancer, pulmonary and cardiovascular disease, and an overall increase in mortality risk. Although combined treatment with varenicline and nicotine patches are known to be an a highly effective pharmacotherapy approved for smoking cessation, the treatment’s effects have not been examined among smokers who drink heavily. This randomized controlled trial investigated the combined treatment of varenicline and nicotine patch on smoking cessation rates over 9-12 weeks in smokers who drank heavily (defined as an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score greater or equal to 8). The primary outcome for this study was self-reported continuous cigarette abstinence over 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of weekly drinking, and heavy drinking during the study period. Among the 122 participants (mean age, 44.0 [12.4] years; 61 men [54.9%]), the varenicline group consisted of 61 participants randomly assigned to receive a combined treatment (varenicline and nicotine patch), and the placebo group consisted of 61 participants randomly assigned to receive a placebo and nicotine patch. Smoking cessation rates were higher for participants in the varenicline group receiving combined treatment in comparison to the placebo group. Frequency of heavy drinking and any alcohol drinking were decreased by 54% over 12 weeks amongst both groups, without significant difference in decrease in either arm. These results suggest that there is potential for smokers who drink heavily to be enrolled and retain in a smoking cessation treatment program. A limitation to this study is the smaller sample size, which precludes the analyses of moderators of varenicline’s effects, such as sex and race.

Click to read the study in JAMA Network Open

Relevant Reading: Combining varenicline and nicotine patches: a randomized controlled trial study in smoking cessation

RELATED REPORTS

Genetic, clinical, lifestyle and sociodemographic risk factors for head and neck cancer:

Higher nicotine consumption observed among youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

Characterization of increased cryptogenic ischemic stroke risk from smoking

In-Depth [randomized controlled trial]: This study included 122 participants that were randomized to receive either varenicline and nicotine patch (n=61), or placebo (n=61) and investigated smoking cessation rates in smokers who drink heavily. Smoking cessation rates were higher in the varenicline group in comparison to the placebo group during the 9 to 12 weeks (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.01-4.80; P=.047). The combination treatment resulted in a quit rate of 44.3%. A lower likelihood of relapse for patients with continuous cigarette use was confirmed in those in the varenicline group (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.40-0.96, P=.03). Participants were enrolled in the study independent of their desire to change their alcohol consumption patterns, however both groups saw a decrease in weekly drinking days by 25% (P = .003) and weekly heavy drinking days decreased by 54% (P = .004); difference in this outcome was nonsignificant (P = .81). Additionally, participants in the combined treatment group experienced significantly more frequent nausea (34 participants; P = .003). Adverse events were rated as mild or moderate among both groups.

Image: PD

©2022 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. All rights reserved. No works may be reproduced without expressed written consent from 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. Inquire about licensing here. No article should be construed as medical advice and is not intended as such by the authors or by 2 Minute Medicine, Inc.

Tags: Alcoholcigarettecigarette smokingsmokingsmoking cessationvarenicline
Previous Post

#VisualAbstract: Peanut oral immunotherapy desensitizes young children with non-anaphylactic peanut allergies

Next Post

#VisualAbstract: Stage-specific and time-specific recurrence data can help determine need for surveillance in Merkel cell carcinoma patients

RelatedReports

No difference in PET-CT surveillance versus planned neck dissection in advanced head and neck cancer
Cardiology

Genetic, clinical, lifestyle and sociodemographic risk factors for head and neck cancer:

April 13, 2025
Strict tobacco licensing laws linked to reduced adolescent smoking initiation
Chronic Disease

Higher nicotine consumption observed among youth with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

May 19, 2025
Strict tobacco licensing laws linked to reduced adolescent smoking initiation
Chronic Disease

Characterization of increased cryptogenic ischemic stroke risk from smoking

May 19, 2025
The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®:  Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, Taylor Swift, NBA rookie Chet Holmgren and Magic Mushrooms!
The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®

The Scan by 2 Minute Medicine®: Another Viral Virus, Is One Drink Too Much?, Eggs, Humans, and the Flu, and Detrimental Exercise:

January 21, 2025
Next Post
#VisualAbstract: Stage-specific and time-specific recurrence data can help determine need for surveillance in Merkel cell carcinoma patients

#VisualAbstract: Stage-specific and time-specific recurrence data can help determine need for surveillance in Merkel cell carcinoma patients

Dietary variety linked to greater increase in childhood BMI

Pro-inflammatory diets may objectively negatively impact sleep amongst police officers

Radiation dose associated with increased heart disease in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors

2 Minute Medicine Rewind March 14, 2022

2 Minute Medicine® is an award winning, physician-run, expert medical media company. Our content is curated, written and edited by practicing health professionals who have clinical and scientific expertise in their field of reporting. Our editorial management team is comprised of highly-trained MD physicians. Join numerous brands, companies, and hospitals who trust our licensed content.

Recent Reports

  • Weighted vests and resistance training confer similar outcomes for bone density in the elderly
  • Breast cancer survivors may have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s dementia
  • Evaluating scar outcomes in pediatric burn patients following skin grafting 
License Content
Terms of Use | Disclaimer
Cookie Policy
Privacy Statement (EU)
Disclaimer

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.

  • Specialties
    • All Specialties, All Recent Reports
    • Cardiology
    • Chronic Disease
    • Dermatology
    • Emergency
    • Endocrinology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Imaging and Intervention
    • Infectious Disease
    • Nephrology
    • Neurology
    • Obstetrics
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Pediatrics
    • Pharma
    • Preclinical
    • Psychiatry
    • Public Health
    • Pulmonology
    • Rheumatology
    • Surgery
  • AI Roundup
  • Pharma
  • The Scan
  • Classics™
    • 2MM+ Online Access
    • Paperback and Ebook
  • Rewinds
  • Visual
  • Podcasts
  • Partners
    • License Content
    • Submit Press Release
    • Advertise with Us
  • Account
    • Subscribe
    • Sign-in
    • My account
No Result
View All Result

© 2021 2 Minute Medicine, Inc. - Physician-written medical news.