Nicotine dependence/ smoking cessation Mental and Behavioural Disorders Nicotine dependence/ smoking cessation
Conditions
Interventions
40 mg Hydrocortisone (HC) versus 20 mg HC versus placebo. Each participant will only receive a single dose of each treatment on waking and will be followed-up just on the afternoon after they have tak
Sponsors
St George's University of London (UK)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Male and female smokers aged 18 to 65 years 2. Have been smoking at least ten cigarettes a day for at least three years
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Those receiving psychiatric treatment 2. Those currently taking corticosteroids 3. Those with cautions for using oral corticosteroids will also be excluded as follows: 3.1. Pregnant 3.2. Planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding 3.3. Heart problems 3.4. Patient suffers from tuberculosis or has had it in the past 3.5. Stomach ulcer or other digestive problem 3.6. Shingles or a herpes infection in the eye 3.7. Muscle weakness (myopathy) after using steroids in the past 3.8. Diabetic 3.9. High blood pressure 3.10. Glaucoma 3.11. Corneal perforation 3.12. Significant impairment of renal or liver function 3.12. Myasthenia gravis 3.14. Osteoporosis 3.15. Thyroid problems 3.16. Epilepsy
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Reports of desire to smoke and tobacco withdrawal, these will be measured prior to abstinence on waking and then after two hours, four hours and six hours. On each of the three treatment days these symptoms will be measured at the same time points. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| No secondary outcome measures | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed