transdermal clonidine disappointing for smokers
TRANSCRIPT
Transdermal clonidine disappointing for smokers
THERAPY
The largest placebo-controlled study conducted to date shows that transdermal clonidine reduces early withdrawal symptoms of smoking cessation but has little effect on tobacco craving.
Statistically significant, but small, reductions in anxiety and irritability were documented during the first week of cessation in a 5 centre trial reported in Archives of Internal Medicine, but overall cessation rates were not affected.
However, there were considerable variations in response at individual centres which suggests that clonidine may be beneficial in some situations or some patient groups.
25% of patients stopped treatment as a result of adverse reactions, the most common being skin rash. Prochazka AY. Pelly TL. "iell L. Silve" W. Sachs D. et al. Transdernlal clonidine reduced some withdrawal symptoms but did not increase smoking cessation. Archives of Internal "kdicine 152: 2065-206<). Oct 1992
ISSN 0156-270319211107-00151$1.00° Adislntemational Ltd
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INPHARMA"7 Nov 1992