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Meclizine as a Potential Smoking Cessation Treatment

Meclizine as a Potential Smoking Cessation Treatment

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT01443858
Enrollment
146
Registered
2011-09-30
Start date
2011-08-31
Completion date
2013-07-31
Last updated
2014-08-01

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

Conditions

Smoking Cessation

Keywords

Smoking Cessation, Cigarette Smoking, Meclizine, Nicotine Patch

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether meclizine, an antihistamine used to prevent or treat motion sickness, can help smokers quit smoking. This study will also investigate the potential relationship between genes you have inherited and success in quitting smoking.

Interventions

Pre-Quit Period: In this group, participants will take meclizine daily during the three week pre-quit period. The meclizine will be taken in two doses daily, one capsule with breakfast and one with dinner.

DRUGNicotine Patch

Pre-Quit Period: During weeks two and three, participants will apply active 21mg/24h nicotine patches daily. Post-Quit Period: Following the quit-day these participants will apply active nicotine patches daily using the following dose schedule: 21mg/24h for four weeks, 14mg/24h for one week, and 7mg/24h for one week.

DRUGPlacebo

Pre-Quit Period: In this group, participants will take placebo capsules daily during the three week pre-quit period. The placebo will be taken in two doses daily, one capsule with breakfast and one with dinner.

Sponsors

Philip Morris USA, Inc.
CollaboratorINDUSTRY
Duke University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Have no known serious medical conditions; * Are 18-65 years old; * Smoke an average of at least 10 cigarettes per day; * Have smoked at least one cumulative year; * Have an afternoon expired air carbon monoxide (CO) reading of at least 10ppm; * Express a desire to quit smoking in the next thirty days. * Potential subjects must agree to use acceptable contraception during their participation in this study. Potential subjects must agree to avoid the following during their participation in this study: * participation in any other nicotine-related modification strategy outside of this protocol; * use of tobacco products other than cigarettes, including pipe tobacco, cigars, e-cigarettes, snuff, and chewing tobacco; * use of experimental (investigational) drugs or devices; * use of illegal drugs; * use of opiate medications * use of anti-histamines; * use of alcohol (during first three weeks of study participation).

Exclusion criteria

* Inability to attend all required experimental sessions; * Hypertension (systolic \>140 mm Hg, diastolic \>100 mm Hg, coupled with a history of hypertension); subjects with no previous diagnosis of hypertension may have a screening blood pressure up to 160/100. * Hypotension with symptoms (systolic \<90 mm Hg, diastolic \<60 mm Hg). * Participants with a history of hypertension may, however, be allowed to participate in the study if the study physician or physician assistant determines that the condition is stable, controlled by medication, and in no way jeopardizes the individual's safety. * Coronary heart disease; * Lifetime history of heart attack; * Cardiac rhythm disorder (irregular heart rhythm); * Chest pains (unless history, exam, and ECG clearly indicate a non-cardiac source); * Cardiac (heart) disorder (including but not limited to valvular heart disease, heart murmur, heart failure); * History of skin allergy; * Active skin disorder (e.g., psoriasis) within the last five years, except minor skin conditions (including but not limited to facial acne, minor localized infections, and superficial minor wounds); * Liver or kidney disorder (except kidney stones, gallstones); * Gastrointestinal problems or disease other than gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn; * Active ulcers in the past 30 days; * Currently symptomatic lung disorder/disease (including but not limited to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and asthma); * Brain abnormality (including but not limited to stroke, brain tumor, head injury and seizure disorder); * Migraine headaches that occur more frequently than once per week; * Recent, unexplained fainting spells; * Problems giving blood samples; * Diabetes treated with insulin; non-insulin treated diabetes (unless glucose is less than 180mg/dcl and HbA1c is less than 7%); * Current cancer or treatment for cancer in the past six months (except basal or squamous cell skin cancer); * Other major medical condition; * Current psychiatric disease (with the exception of anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and ADHD); * Current depression; * Bulimia or anorexia; * Pregnant or nursing; * Smokes more than one cigar a month; * Regular alcohol use; * Significant adverse reaction to nicotine patches or meclizine in the past. * Current participation or recent participation (in the past 30 days) in another smoking study at our center or another research facility. * Current participation in another research study. Use (within the past 30 days) of: * Illegal drugs (or if the urine drug screen is positive), * Experimental (investigational) drugs; * Psychiatric medications including antidepressants, anti-psychotics or any other medications that are known to affect smoking cessation (e.g. clonidine); * Smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff), pipes or e-cigarettes; * Wellbutrin, bupropion, Zyban, Chantix, varenicline, nicotine replacement therapy or any other smoking cessation aid. Use (within the past 14 days) of: * Opiate medications for pain or sleep (non-opiate medication for pain or sleep will be allowed); * Benzodiazepines, antihistamines or other drugs with significant sedating or anticholinergic activity that may interact with meclizine.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Percentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 1After 1 week of treatment (relative to baseline)To evaluate the effects of meclizine alone on ad lib smoking, the percent decrease in expired air carbon monoxide (CO) at the end of week 1 (relative to baseline) will be compared (using ANOVA) between each meclizine group and placebo.
Percentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 3After 3 weeks of treatment (relative to baseline)To evaluate the effects of meclizine as an augmentation treatment in conjunction with nicotine patch, the percent decrease in expired air carbon monoxide (CO) at the end of week 3 (relative to baseline) will be compared (using ANOVA) between each meclizine group and placebo.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants Completing the Continuous 4 Week Abstinence From Smokingweeks 3-6 post quit dateContinuous 4 week abstinence from smoking (weeks 3-6 post quit date), based on self-reported abstinence confirmed by expired air CO ≤8ppm, will be compared between each meclizine group and placebo, using logistic regression analyses
Percentage of Change of CO at End of Week 1 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent SmokersAfter 1 week of treatment (relative to baseline)To further validate the association between a decrease in expired air CO before the quit date and subsequent abstinence, the decrease in expired air CO from baseline to week 1 (Session P2) will be compared between abstinent and non-abstinent smokers, using ANOVA.
Percentage of Change of CO at End of Week 3 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent SmokersAfter 3 weeks of treatment (relative to baseline)To further validate the association between a decrease in expired air CO before the quit date and subsequent abstinence, the decrease in expired air CO from baseline to week 3 (Session P3) will be compared between abstinent and non-abstinent smokers, using ANOVA.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Recruitment began on 9/16/11 and ended on 11/30/12. Of the 146 subjects consented during this period, 72 were in our Charlotte, NC office, 45 were in our Durham, NC office and 29 were in our Raleigh, NC office. Of the 146 subjects consented during this study only 75 subjects met all study criteria and were assigned to a study arm.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Control
Subjects in this group will take placebo meclizine daily for the three weeks prior to their quit date. Subjects will also apply a 21mg/24h nicotine patch daily starting in the second week of pre-quit treatment. Placebo meclizine will be administered in two doses each day. Nicotine patches: Pre-Quit Period: During weeks two and three, participants will apply active 21mg/24h nicotine patches daily. Post-Quit Period: Following the quit-day these participants will apply active nicotine patches daily using the following dose schedule: 21mg/24h for four weeks, 14mg/24h for one week, and 7mg/24h for one week.
25
25mg Meclizine
Subjects in this group will take 25mg of meclizine daily for the three weeks prior to their quit date. Subjects will also apply a 21mg/24h nicotine patch daily starting in the second week of pre-quit treatment. Meclizine will be administered in two doses each day. Meclizine: Pre-Quit Period: In this group, participants will take meclizine daily during the three week pre-quit period. The meclizine will be taken in two doses daily, one capsule with breakfast and one with dinner. Nicotine patches: Pre-Quit Period: During weeks two and three, participants will apply active 21mg/24h nicotine patches daily. Post-Quit Period: Following the quit-day these participants will apply active nicotine patches daily using the following dose schedule: 21mg/24h for four weeks, 14mg/24h for one week, and 7mg/24h for one week.
25
50mg Meclizine
Subjects in this group will take 50mg of meclizine daily for the three weeks prior to their quit date. Subjects will also apply a 21mg/24h nicotine patch daily starting in the second week of pre-quit treatment. Meclizine will be administered in two doses each day. Meclizine: Pre-Quit Period: In this group, participants will take meclizine daily during the three week pre-quit period. The meclizine will be taken in two doses daily, one capsule with breakfast and one with dinner. Nicotine patches: Pre-Quit Period: During weeks two and three, participants will apply active 21mg/24h nicotine patches daily. Post-Quit Period: Following the quit-day these participants will apply active nicotine patches daily using the following dose schedule: 21mg/24h for four weeks, 14mg/24h for one week, and 7mg/24h for one week.
25
Total75

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002
Overall StudyLack of Efficacy100
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up552
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject985

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalControl25mg Meclizine50mg Meclizine
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
75 Participants25 Participants25 Participants25 Participants
Age, Continuous43.67 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.47
42.80 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.3
42.40 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.6
45.80 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.09
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
74 Participants25 Participants25 Participants24 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
2 Participants0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
38 Participants14 Participants11 Participants13 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
33 Participants11 Participants11 Participants11 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
75 participants25 participants25 participants25 participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
42 Participants13 Participants15 Participants14 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
33 Participants12 Participants10 Participants11 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
14 / 1914 / 2315 / 25
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 190 / 230 / 25

Outcome results

Primary

Percentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 1

To evaluate the effects of meclizine alone on ad lib smoking, the percent decrease in expired air carbon monoxide (CO) at the end of week 1 (relative to baseline) will be compared (using ANOVA) between each meclizine group and placebo.

Time frame: After 1 week of treatment (relative to baseline)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ControlPercentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 11.73 percentage changeStandard Error 9.03
25mg MeclizinePercentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 1-14.11 percentage changeStandard Error 5.86
50mg MeclizinePercentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 1-.63 percentage changeStandard Error 6.85
Primary

Percentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 3

To evaluate the effects of meclizine as an augmentation treatment in conjunction with nicotine patch, the percent decrease in expired air carbon monoxide (CO) at the end of week 3 (relative to baseline) will be compared (using ANOVA) between each meclizine group and placebo.

Time frame: After 3 weeks of treatment (relative to baseline)

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ControlPercentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 3-34.05 percentage changeStandard Error 11.83
25mg MeclizinePercentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 3-54.10 percentage changeStandard Error 5.41
50mg MeclizinePercentage of Change in Expired Air Carbon Monoxide (CO) at End of Week 3-35.60 percentage changeStandard Error 8.72
Secondary

Number of Participants Completing the Continuous 4 Week Abstinence From Smoking

Continuous 4 week abstinence from smoking (weeks 3-6 post quit date), based on self-reported abstinence confirmed by expired air CO ≤8ppm, will be compared between each meclizine group and placebo, using logistic regression analyses

Time frame: weeks 3-6 post quit date

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
ControlNumber of Participants Completing the Continuous 4 Week Abstinence From Smoking2 participants
25mg MeclizineNumber of Participants Completing the Continuous 4 Week Abstinence From Smoking7 participants
50mg MeclizineNumber of Participants Completing the Continuous 4 Week Abstinence From Smoking2 participants
Secondary

Percentage of Change of CO at End of Week 1 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokers

To further validate the association between a decrease in expired air CO before the quit date and subsequent abstinence, the decrease in expired air CO from baseline to week 1 (Session P2) will be compared between abstinent and non-abstinent smokers, using ANOVA.

Time frame: After 1 week of treatment (relative to baseline)

Population: Abstinent (n=2 Control, 7 25mg, 2 50mg) Non-abstinent (n=16 Control, 16 25mg, 23 50mg)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ControlPercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 1 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersabstinent5.00 percentage changeStandard Error 15
ControlPercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 1 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersnon-abstinent1.32 percentage changeStandard Error 10.1
25mg MeclizinePercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 1 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersabstinent2.64 percentage changeStandard Error 20.56
25mg MeclizinePercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 1 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersnon-abstinent-17.64 percentage changeStandard Error 5.66
50mg MeclizinePercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 1 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersabstinent-16.67 percentage changeStandard Error 16.67
50mg MeclizinePercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 1 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersnon-abstinent-5.37 percentage changeStandard Error 7.35
Secondary

Percentage of Change of CO at End of Week 3 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokers

To further validate the association between a decrease in expired air CO before the quit date and subsequent abstinence, the decrease in expired air CO from baseline to week 3 (Session P3) will be compared between abstinent and non-abstinent smokers, using ANOVA.

Time frame: After 3 weeks of treatment (relative to baseline)

Population: Abstinent (n=2 Control, 7 25mg, 2 50mg) Non-abstinent (n=16 Control, 16 25mg, 23 50mg)

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
ControlPercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 3 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersabstinent-47.50 percentage changeStandard Error 52.5
ControlPercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 3 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersnon-abstinent-32.13 percentage changeStandard Error 12.32
25mg MeclizinePercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 3 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersabstinent-82.77 percentage changeStandard Error 10.23
25mg MeclizinePercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 3 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersnon-abstinent-47.72 percentage changeStandard Error 22.02
50mg MeclizinePercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 3 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersabstinent-56.76 percentage changeStandard Error 35.55
50mg MeclizinePercentage of Change of CO at End of Week 3 When Comparing Abstinent Smokers Versus Non-abstinent Smokersnon-abstinent-33.38 percentage changeStandard Error 39.74

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