Skip to content

Treating Schizophrenic Smokers: Effects on Craving, Cues and Withdrawal

Phase 4 Study of Treating Schizophrenic Smokers Using Varenicline and Behavioral Intervention: Effects on Craving, Cues and Withdrawal

Status
Withdrawn
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00781755
Enrollment
0
Registered
2008-10-29
Start date
Unknown
Completion date
Unknown
Last updated
2015-06-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Tobacco Use Disorder

Keywords

smoking cessation, varenicline, schizophrenia, serious mental illness, Nicotine addiction, Smoking Behavior

Brief summary

This is a clinical research protocol to study the efficacy of combined varenicline (Chantix) and motivational interviewing (MI) for smoking cessation in a sample of smokers who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The study is a double-blind, randomized, controlled, subacute treatment trial of MI plus varenicline (VAR-MI) versus MI plus placebo (PLA-MI). The pharmaceutical treatment will utilize Chantix at a dose of 1 mg/day for a period of two weeks. The primary goal is to determine if VAR-MI decreases baseline behavioral measures of urge and withdrawal and reduces baseline rates of cigarette consumption. The primary efficacy measures of VAR-MI vs. PLA-MI treatment are: Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale, Questionnaire for Smoking Urge-brief, number of cigarettes smoked per day in the previous week, CO levels, and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale and Positive And Negative Symptom Scale scores on the last day of the study. Other primary outcome measures are to determine the effects of VAR-MI and PLA-MI on smoking cue-induced urges in tobacco cue reactivity sessions and reward responsiveness as assessed by a computerized task.

Interventions

DRUGvarenicline

.5mg/day for 3 days then titrated to 1.0mg/day for 11 days. A total dosing regimen of 14 days.

BEHAVIORALAdaptation of Motivational Interviewing

2 sessions of behavioral intervention designed to create ambivalence about quitting or plan for a quit attempt if the patient is ready.

Sponsors

VA Boston Healthcare System
Lead SponsorFED

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

Eligible participants for this study: * Are between the ages 18-65 years of age * Are daily cigarette smokers * Have smoked a minimum of 10 cigarettes per day for at least one year * Are confirmed smokers as verified by CO * Have a psychiatric diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (any subtype) as determined by the SCID-IV. Participants must have received a stable dose of antipsychotic medication for at least 2 weeks prior to beginning the study. Patients receiving clozapine at 500 mg/day or more must also be receiving anti-seizure prophylaxis. Patients must be determined to be psychiatrically stable at baseline as established by standardized interview and medical review by psychiatrist.

Exclusion criteria

Individuals who are not eligible to participate in this study include individuals with: * Any serious or unstable medical problem in the last 6 months * Severe renal impairment * A history of clinically significant allergic reactions to nicotine agonist medications * Current primary use of tobacco products other than cigarettes * Breath alcohol level \> 0.005 g/l at screening * Current substance abuse or dependence (besides nicotine) * Current attempts to quit smoking using any method * Designation as legally incompetent to sign the informed consent (i.e., have a guardian or have delegated power of attorney to another). Other exclusions are: * Current use of medications that might affect the behavioral response to cigarette smoking, including transdermal nicotine or nicotine gum and bupropion - Inability to participate in the screening session due to severe psychosis, severe depression or suicidality, current mania, or an organic mental disorder such as dementia or delirium * Presence of unstable psychiatric symptoms or clinical deterioration (i.e., unstable psychosis, homicidality, or suicidality) within the last month. * Females of childbearing potential are eligible if not pregnant or nursing and if they practice effective contraception (oral, injectable, or implantable contraceptives; intrauterine device; or barrier method with spermicide). * There currently are no known contraindications to the use of varenicline and no identified drug-drug interactions. However, reduced dosage of varenicline is recommended for individuals with severe renal impairment.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frame
Reported Smoking Urge and Withdrawal2 weeks

Secondary

MeasureTime frame
Smoking Status2 weeks
Mood Ratings2 weeks

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026