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A nicotine
lozenge is the newest form of nicotine replacement treatment
for smoking cessation and has been proven effective by researchers
at the University of Pittsburgh and the University of London.
Nicotine
replacement therapy has become the most widely used smoking
cessation treatment, helping many people quit the habit that
often leads to lung cancer. However, many smokers do not like
to use the chewing gum form of the product, which was introduced
in the 1980s.
In double-blind,
placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial, smokers were
assigned to a lozenge dose on the basis of their dependence
on nicotine. Low-dependence smokers were randomized to receive
a 2 mg. nicotine lozenge or a placebo and high-dependence
smokers were given a 4 mg. lozenge or a placebo. Researchers
assessed the smoking status of the participants at 6, 12,
24 and 52 weeks by looking at craving and withdrawal symptoms.
Treatment
with the nicotine lozenge resulted in significantly greater
28-day abstinence at 6 weeks for the 2 mg. and the 4 mg. lozenges
compared to the placebo, according to the study published
in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Significant
treatment effects were maintained for a full year. Smokers
who used more lozenges achieved significantly better results
and use of the lozenge resulted in reduced craving and withdrawal,
wrote the researchers.
"The
nicotine lozenge is a safe and effective new treatment for
smoking cessation in low- and high-dependence smokers,"
concluded the researchers.
Source:
Medical Week staff,
week of June 16, 2002
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