Lozenge triples smokers' quitting chances: study

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Lozenge triples smokers' quitting chances: study

By Reaney

LONDON, Oct 29 (Reuters) - A new lozenge can triple a smoker's chance of

quitting and is more effective than other forms of nicotine replacement

therapy, according to results of a study released on Monday.

A large clinical trial showed that NiQuitin CQ, made by drugs giant

GlaxoKline Plc, worked better than nicotine patches, gum, inhalers or

nasal sprays to help smokers kick the habit.

" It trebles the success rate and surpasses all forms of nicotine replacement

therapy to date, " Dr. Steele, who runs one of Europe's biggest

quit-smoking clinics, told a news conference.

Steele, a Manchester-based family doctor who has run stop-smoking courses

for 25 years, said the trial involving more than 1,800 smokers in Britain

and the United States showed that smokers randomly selected to receive the

lozenges were much more likely to stop than people who received an inactive

placebo.

" The active lozenge was three times as effective as the placebo, " according

to Steele.

Other nicotine replacement therapy products have been shown to be twice or

less than twice as effective as a placebo in helping smokers give up the

habit.

The lozenges, available in 2 milligram and 4 milligram doses, were designed

to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms and were taken in gradually

reduced amounts for 12 weeks.

They cost about £17 (US$25) a week, the equivalent of most other nicotine

replacement therapies. In Britain, the first country where the lozenges are

launched, they are available on the state-funded National Health Service.

Doctors determine the dosage using a definition of smoking dependency based

on how soon a smoker has the first cigarette after waking. People who light

up within 30 minutes of waking are heavily dependent, regardless of how many

cigarettes they smoke daily, and would be given the higher dosage. Someone

who can do without their first cigarette for longer is less dependent and

would receive the smaller dosage.

Steele said the first 2 weeks are critical for smokers trying to quit.

According to the results of the trial, which will be published in the

journal Archives of Internal Medicine next year, cigarette cravings in the

first week for those using the lozenges were reduced by 23% during the first

week.

Although the dosage of the lozenges is the same as nicotine gum, Steele said

the lozenges were more effective because they release about 25% more

nicotine from each dose.

Some smokers experienced side effects such as nausea and heartburn, he

noted.

Professor Gordon McVie, the director general of Britain's Cancer Research

Campaign charity, described the results of the trial as " fairly robust " and

said the lozenges may encourage heavy smokers to try to give up one more

time.

Scientific studies have shown that smoking is the single greatest cause of

preventable death. Smoking causes 30% of all cancer deaths, including at

least 80% of lung cancer deaths.