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Effects of Metformin During Nicotine Withdrawal

Effects of Metformin on Mood and Cognition During Nicotine Withdrawal

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03593538
Acronym
MEP
Enrollment
80
Registered
2018-07-20
Start date
2016-04-01
Completion date
2020-03-13
Last updated
2021-03-26

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

Conditions

HIV-1-infection, Smoking

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to test the effects of a medication called metformin (Glucophage®) on smoking behavior. This medication is FDA-approved for treatment of type-2 diabetes. It is being used for research purposes in this study. Participants will be randomized to one of 3 treatment groups: low dose of metformin, high dose of metformin, or placebo.

Detailed description

There is a need for novel approaches to optimize smoking cessation treatment to help more smokers quit. Mood disturbance and cognitive deficits during nicotine withdrawal may be important treatment targets given their association with smoking relapse. In addition, factors such as HIV-1 infection may exacerbate abstinence effects on mood and cognitive deficits and thus should be measured and controlled for. The investigators hypothesize that the FDA-approved medication, metformin, will attenuate withdrawal-related mood disturbance and cognitive deficits, controlling for HIV status. Using a well-validated abstinence challenge paradigm, the investigators propose a placebo-controlled double-blind parallel arm study with one between-subjects factor of medication (low dose: 500 mg, high dose: 1500 mg, and placebo). Non-treatment seeking smokers (HIV-: n=54; 18 per group) will complete this 23 day study.

Interventions

DRUGMetformin

Metformin capsule

DRUGPlacebo

Sucrose filler in gel capsules

Sponsors

Pennsylvania Department of Health
CollaboratorOTHER_GOV
University of Pennsylvania
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
Yes

Inclusion criteria

Eligible subjects will be males and females: 1. 18 years of age or older who self-report smoking at least 5 cigarettes (menthol and non-menthol) per day, on average for the past 6 months. 2. HIV status 1. HIV-infected smokers: diagnosed with HIV infection and exhibiting viral load of less than or equal to 1000 copies/mL and CD4+ counts of greater than or equal to 200 cells/mm3 within 6 months prior to enrollment. 2. HIV-uninfected smokers: no diagnosis of HIV, either via blood test or self-report. 3. Must not currently be interested in quitting smoking. 4. Women of childbearing potential (based on medical history) must consent to use a medically accepted method of birth control (e.g., condoms and spermicide, oral contraceptive, Depo-Provera injection, contraceptive patch, tubal ligation) or abstain from sexual intercourse during the time they are in the study and using transdermal nicotine. 5. If current or past diagnosis of bipolar disorder, eligible if: 1. No psychotic features 2. MADRS: total score less than 8 (past 4 weeks), suicidal item score less than1 (past 4 weeks) 3. Y-MRS: total score less than 8 (past 4 weeks), irritability, speech content, disruptive or aggressive behavior items score less than 3 (past 4 weeks) 4. No psychiatric hospitalization or Emergency Room visits for psychiatric issues in the past 6 months 5. No aggressive or violent acts or behavior in the past 6 months 6. Able to communicate fluently in English. 7. Capable of giving written informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the combined consent/HIPAA form.

Exclusion criteria

Smoking Behavior: 1. Current enrollment in a smoking cessation program, or use of other smoking cessation medications in the last month or plans to do either in the next 2 months. 2. Daily use of chewing tobacco, snuff and/or snus, or electronic cigarettes. Alcohol/Drugs: 1. Self-report current alcohol consumption that exceeds 25 standard drinks/week over the past 6 months. Subjects will be told to limit or avoid the use of alcohol while in the study to avoid any adverse reactions to the study medication. 2. Current untreated and unstable diagnosis of substance dependence (eligible if past use and if receiving treatment and stable for at least 30 days). Current untreated and unstable diagnosis of substance abuse requires Study Physician approval. 3. A positive urine drug screen for cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamines, PCP, barbiturates and ecstasy (MDMA)at Intake, or any testing session (see Measures and Table 1 for details). Participants believed to have a false-positive result may continue in the study, with investigator approval. Medical: 1. Females who self-report current pregnancy, planning a pregnancy during the study, or currently breastfeeding/lactating. All female subjects of child-bearing potential shall undergo a urine pregnancy test at the Intake, Baseline, PQ-Testing and 24-H Testing sessions. 2. Current diagnosis of unstable and untreated major depression, as determined by self-report & MINI (eligible if stable for at least 30 days). 3. Current or past diagnosis of psychotic disorder, as determined by self-report or MINI. 4. Suicide risk as indicated by at least one of the following on the MINI/CSSRS (the PI &/or PM \[LCSW\] will be consulted to assess safety and determine eligibility in cases close to the eligibility cutoffs): 1. Current suicidal ideation (within 30 days of enrollment) 2. Two or more lifetime suicide attempts or episodes of suicidal behavior 3. Any suicide attempt or suicidal behavior within 2 years of enrollment 5. Self-reported kidney and/or liver disease or transplant untreated/unstable or within the past 6 months. 6. Heart/Cardiovascular disease (e.g., angina, coronary heart disease, stroke, etc.) in the past 6 months. 7. Type-1 or type-2 diabetes. 8. Uncontrolled hypertension (BP systolic greater than 159 and/or diastolic greater than 99)\*. 9. Liver function tests more than 20% outside of the normal range; Gamma-glutamyl Transpepsidase (GGT) values more than 20% outside of the normal range. If Albumin/Globulin ratios are 20% outside of normal range the abnormal value will be evaluated for clinical significance by the Study Physician and eligibility will determined on a case-by-case basis. 10. Renal disease or renal dysfunction (e.g., serum creatinine levels ≥1.5 mg/dL \[males\], ≥1.4 mg/dL \[females\]). 11. A blood glucose level less than 70 mg/dl at any visit. * Participants presenting with SBP greater than 159 mmHg and/or DBP greater than 99 mmHg at the Intake visit will be instructed to sit quietly for 10 minutes. Then the participant will have a second blood pressure reading taken after a 10 minute period. If, after the second reading the SBP greater than 159 mmHg and the DBP greater than 99 mmHg, the individual will be ineligible to participate, unless determined otherwise by the Study PI or Study Physician, upon review. Medication: 1. Current use or recent discontinuation (within the past 14 days) of any of the following medications: 1. Anti-anxiety or panic disorder medications (e.g., clonazepam, alprazolam). 2. Anti-psychotic medications as assessed on a case-by-case basis 3. Glucophage/metformin 4. Glyburide 5. Furosemide or digoxin 6. Nifedipine 7. Cationic drugs (e.g., amiloride, digoxin, morphine, procainamide, quinidine, quinine, ranitidine, triamterene, trimethoprim, or vancomycin) 2. Participants who report taking prescription opiate-containing medications (Duragesic/fentanyl patches, Percocet, Oxycontin) will require physician approval prior to confirming final eligibility. 3. Current use of any smoking cessation medications (e.g., Chantix/varenicline, Zyban/bupropion, nicotine replacement therapy/gum/patch). 4. For safety reasons, HIV-infected smokers taking dolutegravir (Tivicay) or drugs that contain dolutegravir (e.g., Triumeq) should not take more than 1000 mg of metformin per day. Therefore, individuals taking dolutegravir will be force randomized to either the placebo condition or the low dose condition. Subjects will be instructed to refrain from using any study prohibited drugs/medications (both recreational and prescription) throughout their participation in the study. After final eligibility is confirmed, subjects who report taking contraindicated medication(s) over the course of the study period may only remain eligible if the Study Physician and/or Principal Investigator determines that the contraindicated medication(s) do/did not impact the study design, data quality, and/or subject safety/welfare. Subjects are permitted to take necessary prescription medications not included within the exclusion list during the study. General Exclusion: 1. Current, anticipated, or pending enrollment in another research program over the next 2-3 months that could potentially affect subject safety and/or the study data/design as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician. 2. Not planning to live in the area for the next two months. 3. Color blindness. 4. Any impairment (physical and/or neurological) including visual or other impairment preventing cognitive task performance. 5. Known allergy to study medication. 6. Planned radiologic studies involving the use of intravascular iodinated contrast materials (e.g., intravenous urogram, intravenous cholangiography, angiography, and computed tomography (CT) scans with intravascular contrast materials) during the course of study participation. 7. Inability to provide informed consent or complete any of the study tasks as determined by the Principal Investigator. 8. Not able to effectively communicate in English (reading, writing, speaking). 9. Missing 3 or more doses during the medication period determined by self-report.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mood Following 24h of Smoking AbstinenceDay 23Self-reported mood on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), a 20-item Likert-format measure that assesses Positive Affect (PA; 10 items, e.g., enthusiastic, strong) and Negative Affect (NA; 10 items, e.g., distressed, upset). The minimum value for each subscale is 10 and the maximum value is 50. Higher scores indicate greater positive or negative affect.
Cognitive Function Following 24h of Smoking AbstinenceDay 23Composite score of computer-based neurocognitive tasks (N-back Working Memory Task, Stop Signal Task, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised \[HVLT-R\]) designed to test working memory and attention. A standardized z-score (mean=0, standard deviation=1) was calculated for the primary outcome for each task and an average was computed from the three z-scores. Higher scores indicated better cognitive performance.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Self-reported Craving for CigarettesDays 7, 14, 21, and 23The 10-item brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU-B) assesses craving for cigarettes. The QSU-B contains 2 sub-scales (anticipation of reward, relief from negative affect) which are summed to create the total score. Similar to withdrawal symptoms, craving is assessed using a past week time reference for all time points except the 24-hr testing visit on Day 23, which will use a 24-hr time reference. Items are rated from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) and are summed to create a total score ranging from 10 to 70. Higher scores indicate higher levels of craving.
Self-reported Smoking BehaviorDays 7, 14, 21, and 23Cigarettes smoked per day as reported on the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB). Cigarettes smoked per day is assessed using a past week time reference for all time points except the 24-hr testing visit on Day 23, which uses a 24-hr time reference.
Subjective Sensory Experience of SmokingDays 7, 14, 21, and 23The Rose Sensory Questionnaire (SQ), a 9-item Likert-format measure, assesses how much participants liked the cigarette smoked (liking scale) and how high in nicotine the cigarettes appeared to be (strength scale). The questionnaire also includes a diagram of the respiratory tract and asks participants to rate the strength of the cigarette puffs on their tongue, nose, back of mouth and throat, windpipe, and chest. Each scale is the average of items with a minimum value of 1 and a maximum value of 7. Higher scores indicate greater liking and perceived strength, respectively.
Subjective Effects of SmokingDays 7, 14, 21, and 23The Cigarette Evaluation Scale (CES), developed to assess subjective effects of smoking, is an 11-item Likert-format measure. Questions include items for nausea and dizziness, craving relief, and enjoyment of airway sensations and comprise 3 scales: satisfaction score, psychological relief score, and toxicity score. Each scale is the average of items with a minimum value of 1 and a maximum value of 7. Higher scores indicate more satisfaction, greater psychological relief, and higher subjective toxicity, respectively.
Self-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDays 7, 14, 21, and 23The Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale - Revised version(MNWS\_R) captures the current state of nicotine withdrawal. The scale assesses eight DSM-IV items of nicotine withdrawal including: dysphoria or depressed mood, insomnia, irritability/frustration/anger, anxiety, decreased heart rate, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and increased appetite/weight gain. Participants rate the intensity of their symptoms on the following scale: 0 = none, 1 = slight, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe and a summary score will be calculated. Withdrawal is assessed using a past week time reference for all time points except the 24-hr testing visit on Day 23, which uses a 24-hr time reference. The scale ranges from 0 to 32 with higher scores indicating more severe withdrawal symptoms.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Pre-assignment details

Of the 80 subjects, who signed consent and were deemed eligible to participate, 11 did not attend the Baseline session during which they would begin treatment leaving 69 subjects who started study medication.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Low Dose Metformin
Days 1-7: Metformin 500 mg per day; Days 8-14: Metformin 500 mg and 1 Placebo capsule per day; Days 15-23: Metformin 500 mg and 2 Placebo capsules per day Metformin: Metformin capsule Placebo: Sucrose filler in gel capsules
26
High Dose Metformin
Days 1-7: Metformin 500 mg per day; Days 8-14: Metformin 1000 mg per day; Days 15-23: Metformin 1500 mg per day Metformin: Metformin capsule
21
Placebo
Days 1-7: 1 Placebo capsule per day; Days 8-14: 2 Placebo capsules per day; Days 15-23: 3 Placebo capsules per day Placebo: Sucrose filler in gel capsules
22
Total69

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicLow Dose MetforminHigh Dose MetforminPlaceboTotal
Age, Continuous49.8 years43.1 years50.5 years47.9 years
Cigarettes per day12.6 cigarettes per day12.6 cigarettes per day16 cigarettes per day13.7 cigarettes per day
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants2 Participants0 Participants4 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
24 Participants18 Participants22 Participants64 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants1 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
18 Participants17 Participants17 Participants52 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
1 Participants0 Participants0 Participants1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
6 Participants2 Participants5 Participants13 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
26 Participants21 Participants22 Participants69 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants6 Participants7 Participants21 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
18 Participants15 Participants15 Participants48 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 260 / 210 / 22
other
Total, other adverse events
12 / 2611 / 2114 / 22
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 260 / 210 / 22

Outcome results

Primary

Cognitive Function Following 24h of Smoking Abstinence

Composite score of computer-based neurocognitive tasks (N-back Working Memory Task, Stop Signal Task, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test - Revised \[HVLT-R\]) designed to test working memory and attention. A standardized z-score (mean=0, standard deviation=1) was calculated for the primary outcome for each task and an average was computed from the three z-scores. Higher scores indicated better cognitive performance.

Time frame: Day 23

Population: Study Completers

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Low Dose MetforminCognitive Function Following 24h of Smoking Abstinence-0.018 z-scoreStandard Error 0.17
High Dose MetforminCognitive Function Following 24h of Smoking Abstinence0.159 z-scoreStandard Error 0.22
PlaceboCognitive Function Following 24h of Smoking Abstinence-0.204 z-scoreStandard Error 0.29
Primary

Mood Following 24h of Smoking Abstinence

Self-reported mood on the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), a 20-item Likert-format measure that assesses Positive Affect (PA; 10 items, e.g., enthusiastic, strong) and Negative Affect (NA; 10 items, e.g., distressed, upset). The minimum value for each subscale is 10 and the maximum value is 50. Higher scores indicate greater positive or negative affect.

Time frame: Day 23

Population: Study Completers

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Low Dose MetforminMood Following 24h of Smoking AbstinencePositive Affect36.5 score on a scaleStandard Error 2.5
Low Dose MetforminMood Following 24h of Smoking AbstinenceNegative Affect14.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.3
High Dose MetforminMood Following 24h of Smoking AbstinencePositive Affect33.8 score on a scaleStandard Error 2.8
High Dose MetforminMood Following 24h of Smoking AbstinenceNegative Affect13.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.9
PlaceboMood Following 24h of Smoking AbstinencePositive Affect37.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 2.6
PlaceboMood Following 24h of Smoking AbstinenceNegative Affect13.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.8
Secondary

Self-reported Craving for Cigarettes

The 10-item brief Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU-B) assesses craving for cigarettes. The QSU-B contains 2 sub-scales (anticipation of reward, relief from negative affect) which are summed to create the total score. Similar to withdrawal symptoms, craving is assessed using a past week time reference for all time points except the 24-hr testing visit on Day 23, which will use a 24-hr time reference. Items are rated from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) and are summed to create a total score ranging from 10 to 70. Higher scores indicate higher levels of craving.

Time frame: Days 7, 14, 21, and 23

Population: Study Completers

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 732.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 4.4
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 1431.2 score on a scaleStandard Error 3.6
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 2128.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 3.8
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 2345.2 score on a scaleStandard Error 5
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 1422.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 3.8
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 2121.4 score on a scaleStandard Error 3.3
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 726.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 4.2
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 2339.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 4.4
PlaceboSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 2352.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 3.8
PlaceboSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 1438.4 score on a scaleStandard Error 5.9
PlaceboSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 2136.7 score on a scaleStandard Error 5.2
PlaceboSelf-reported Craving for CigarettesDay 740.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 5.8
Secondary

Self-reported Smoking Behavior

Cigarettes smoked per day as reported on the Timeline Follow-Back (TLFB). Cigarettes smoked per day is assessed using a past week time reference for all time points except the 24-hr testing visit on Day 23, which uses a 24-hr time reference.

Time frame: Days 7, 14, 21, and 23

Population: Study Completers

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 713.9 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 2.2
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 230 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 0
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 2112.5 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 1.7
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 1411.8 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 1.8
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 217.4 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 0.9
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 148.1 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 1
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 230 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 0
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 78 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 1.1
PlaceboSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 230 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 0
PlaceboSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 711.2 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 1.8
PlaceboSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 1410.4 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 1.8
PlaceboSelf-reported Smoking BehaviorDay 2110.1 cigarettes per dayStandard Error 1.2
Secondary

Self-reported Withdrawal Symptoms

The Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale - Revised version(MNWS\_R) captures the current state of nicotine withdrawal. The scale assesses eight DSM-IV items of nicotine withdrawal including: dysphoria or depressed mood, insomnia, irritability/frustration/anger, anxiety, decreased heart rate, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, and increased appetite/weight gain. Participants rate the intensity of their symptoms on the following scale: 0 = none, 1 = slight, 2 = mild, 3 = moderate, 4 = severe and a summary score will be calculated. Withdrawal is assessed using a past week time reference for all time points except the 24-hr testing visit on Day 23, which uses a 24-hr time reference. The scale ranges from 0 to 32 with higher scores indicating more severe withdrawal symptoms.

Time frame: Days 7, 14, 21, and 23

Population: Study Completers

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 147.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.4
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 2310.5 score on a scaleStandard Error 2.1
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 217.8 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.6
Low Dose MetforminSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 77.4 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.3
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 76.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.9
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 146.2 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.8
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 215.5 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.9
High Dose MetforminSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 238.7 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.3
PlaceboSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 2311.8 score on a scaleStandard Error 2.8
PlaceboSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 148.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 2.2
PlaceboSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 77.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.5
PlaceboSelf-reported Withdrawal SymptomsDay 217.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 1.7
Secondary

Subjective Effects of Smoking

The Cigarette Evaluation Scale (CES), developed to assess subjective effects of smoking, is an 11-item Likert-format measure. Questions include items for nausea and dizziness, craving relief, and enjoyment of airway sensations and comprise 3 scales: satisfaction score, psychological relief score, and toxicity score. Each scale is the average of items with a minimum value of 1 and a maximum value of 7. Higher scores indicate more satisfaction, greater psychological relief, and higher subjective toxicity, respectively.

Time frame: Days 7, 14, 21, and 23

Population: Study Completers

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 7)1.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.06
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 21)1.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.11
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 23)2.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.26
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 14)5.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 23)5.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.5
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 14)3.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.5
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 21)2.8 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.5
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 23)3.2 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 7)4.7 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 21)4.5 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 7)2.7 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 14)1.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.08
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 14)3.4 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.5
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 23)3.6 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.6
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 7)2.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.2
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 14)2.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.3
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 21)1.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.3
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 21)3.6 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 23)2.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.3
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 14)1.6 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.3
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 21)1.2 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.11
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 7)1.4 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.18
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 23)2.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.26
High Dose MetforminSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 7)3.8 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 21)5.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 7)5.8 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 23)3.6 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.5
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 23)4.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.6
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 14)1.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.15
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 7)4.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.6
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingSatisfaction (Day 14)5.2 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 7)1.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.15
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 14)3.5 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.5
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingPsychological Relief (Day 21)3.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.6
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 23)2.6 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.45
PlaceboSubjective Effects of SmokingToxicity (Day 21)1.3 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.16
Secondary

Subjective Sensory Experience of Smoking

The Rose Sensory Questionnaire (SQ), a 9-item Likert-format measure, assesses how much participants liked the cigarette smoked (liking scale) and how high in nicotine the cigarettes appeared to be (strength scale). The questionnaire also includes a diagram of the respiratory tract and asks participants to rate the strength of the cigarette puffs on their tongue, nose, back of mouth and throat, windpipe, and chest. Each scale is the average of items with a minimum value of 1 and a maximum value of 7. Higher scores indicate greater liking and perceived strength, respectively.

Time frame: Days 7, 14, 21, and 23

Population: Study Completers

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 21)3.5 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.43
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 23)4.7 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.36
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 14)4.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.39
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 7)3.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.34
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 7)4.6 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.33
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 23)4.1 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.4
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 21)4.4 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.37
Low Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 14)4.6 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.29
High Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 23)3.7 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.43
High Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 7)3.8 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.36
High Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 14)3.6 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.44
High Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 21)3.6 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.43
High Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 7)3.4 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.45
High Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 14)2.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.47
High Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 21)2.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.44
High Dose MetforminSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 23)3.4 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.51
PlaceboSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 14)3.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.39
PlaceboSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 21)4.7 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.29
PlaceboSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 23)4.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.47
PlaceboSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 21)3.5 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.29
PlaceboSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 14)4.8 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.43
PlaceboSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingStrength scale (Day 7)3.9 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.42
PlaceboSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 23)4.8 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.48
PlaceboSubjective Sensory Experience of SmokingLiking scale (Day 7)5.0 score on a scaleStandard Error 0.33

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