Abstract
Rationale
A network meta-analysis of randomized trials and real-world comparative studies strongly suggest that varenicline is more effective in aiding smoking cessation than single form nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Modeling the health benefits attributable to this difference relies on extrapolation to lifetime cessation, but to date, follow-up has only extended to 12 months. Longer term follow-up data are helpful in checking these assumptions.
Objectives
This study aimed to compare the sustained abstinence rates of smokers using varenicline versus nicotine patch in their quit attempt up to 36 months.
Method
Five hundred eighty-seven smokers were recruited at Kaohsiung Veteran General Hospital between Feb 2006 and Aug 2009. Participants received counseling from a physician and received either varenicline (N = 296) or the nicotine patch (N = 291) for smoking cessation. Both varenicline and nicotine patch users could receive their medications for a maximum of 8 weeks. Participants were followed up by telephone at 3, 6, 12, and 36 months from the first visit. The primary outcome measure was self-reported sustained abstinence up to 36 months. Measures were also taken of smoking characteristics, cigarette dependence, and sociodemographic characteristics.
Results
Multiple logistic regression of 36-month sustained abstinence on to medication adjusting for other baseline variables showed a significant advantage for varenicline, OR = 7.94 (95 % CI 1.87–33.74).
Conclusion
An 8-week course of varenicline appears to yield higher abstinence rate up to 3 years than a similar length course of nicotine transdermal patch in routine clinical practice where behavioral support is available.
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Notes
NT$ Taiwanese dollar
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Conflict of interest
RW and AM undertake research and consultancy for companies that manufacture smoking cessation products including nicotine replacement products and varenicline.
Funding
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article: Kaohsiung Veteran General Hospital (Grant numbers VGHKS98-CT3-07, VGHKS99-CT3-02). Robert West and Andy McEwen are funded by Cancer Research UK. Robert West is a member of the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies.
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Hsueh, KC., Hsueh, SC., Chou, MY. et al. Varenicline versus transdermal nicotine patch: a 3-year follow-up in a smoking cessation clinic in Taiwan. Psychopharmacology 231, 2819–2823 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-014-3482-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-014-3482-9