Preloading With Nicotine Replacement Therapy in HIV-positive Smokers to Improve Self-Efficacy and Quit Attempts

Brown University

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3; Phase 2

Conditions: Tobacco Use Cessation

Treatments: Drug: Nicoderm CQ 21Mg/24Hr Transdermal System

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT04994444

1R21CA261233-01 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

2102002917

Details and patient eligibility

About

The overall goal of this research project is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy preloading (NRT-P) in HIV-positive smokers, who are struggling with cigarette dependence, urge to smoke (craving) and low self-efficacy as barriers to successful smoking cessation. Sixty participants will be recruited into a 16-week randomized pilot study. Thirty participants (control condition) will receive standard smoking cessation counseling (NRT-S) and will initiate an 8-week course of combination nicotine patch and lozenge (or gum, based on preference) on quit date (week 4), consistent with recommended guidelines based on smoking rate. Thirty participants (active condition) will start NRT patch 3 weeks prior to quit date, followed by an 8-week course of combination nicotine patch and lozenge (or gum, based on preference), initiated on quit date. The investigators will examine dependence, urge to smoke and self-efficacy for quitting prior to and following quit date. The investigators will also examine differences in quit attempts and biochemically validated smoking abstinence between the control and active conditions at weeks 8, 12, and 16.

Full description

Cigarette smoking is more prevalent in persons with HIV (PWH) in the U.S. when compared with the general population and is linked to increased morbidity and mortality in this population. Furthermore, HIV-positive smokers have increased rates of lung and other smoking-related cancers. Smokers with HIV are a particularly challenging group, often reporting high severity of nicotine dependence and low rates of self-efficacy for quitting, both factors related to poor smoking cessation outcomes. Establishing more effective smoking cessation approaches for smokers with HIV, particularly those that address low self-efficacy and severe dependence, is a public health priority. The overall goal of this research project is to examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy preloading (NRT-P) in HIV-positive smokers, who are struggling with cigarette dependence, urge to smoke (craving) and low self-efficacy as barriers to successful smoking cessation. Sixty participants will be recruited into a 12-week randomized pilot study. Thirty participants (control condition) will receive standard smoking cessation counseling (NRT-S) and will initiate an 8-week course of combination nicotine patch and lozenge on quit date (week 4), consistent with recommended guideline based on smoking rate. Thirty participants (active condition) will start NRT patch 3 weeks prior to quit date, followed by an 8-week course of combination nicotine patch and lozenge, initiated on quit date. Dependence, urge to smoke and self-efficacy for quitting prior to and following quit date will be examined. Differences in quit attempts and biochemically validated smoking abstinence between the control and active conditions at weeks 8 and 12 will also be examined. This study will be the first to examine the feasibility and initial efficacy of a novel intervention using NRT preloading to improve smoking cessation outcomes in PWH. Given the high prevalence of smoking and the significant morbidity associated with it in PWH, the development of effective strategies to reduce the risks related to smoking in this group is critical. If determined to be effective, this intervention could be readily disseminated in HIV clinics. This study will provide key information on the potential benefit of NRT preloading in a population that is highly dependent on nicotine and highly vulnerable to smoking-related morbidity and mortality.

Enrollment: 49 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• diagnosed with HIV
• at least 18 years of age
• smoking at least 5 cigarettes/day
• exhaled Carbon Monoxide level greater than 5 at baseline
• willing to use transdermal nicotine patch
• ready to quit in the next 30 days.

Exclusion criteria

• currently using pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation
• medically or psychiatrically unstable (defined as: uncontrolled hypertension, unstable angina, or a medical or psychiatric hospitalization in the 30 days prior to enrollment) *experiencing psychotic symptoms
• endorsing suicidal ideation upon screening or past-year suicide attempt
• pregnant or nursing.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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49 participants in 2 patient groups

Preloading

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will be started on nicotine patch 3 weeks prior to quit date. At quit date they will use patch and lozenge or gum for 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Nicoderm CQ 21Mg/24Hr Transdermal System

Standard treatment

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants will start combination nicotine replacement therapy (patch/gum or patch/lozenge) on their assigned quit date. NRT will be provided for 8 weeks.

Treatment:

Drug: Nicoderm CQ 21Mg/24Hr Transdermal System