Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Characterization of tobacco withdrawal symptoms: transdermal nicotine reduces hunger and weight gain

  • ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION
  • Published:
Psychopharmacology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The accurate assessment of both tobacco withdrawal and the impact of the nicotine patch on withdrawal may be compromised by attrition of subjects, or by subjects smoking during withdrawal. To reduce these occurrences, 211 participants were provided with intensive cessation counseling while trying to quit smoking with either nicotine (21 mg) or placebo transdermal patches. Subject attrition was low, with 80.5% of participants continuing through the 5-week study period. Abstinence rates were also high over this period (75% and 61% in active and placebo groups, respectively). In this multisite, double-blind trial, withdrawal severity was assessed using a nine-item daily self-report questionnaire, and abstinence was confirmed via CO monitoring. Abrupt smoking cessation increased multiple tobacco withdrawal symptoms/signs including craving for cigarettes, irritability, anxiety, appetite, sleep disruption, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, depression, and impatience. Treatment with transdermal nicotine reduced craving for cigarettes, anxiety, irritability, and appetite, as well as weight gain (1.85 versus 2.88 kg mean gain over 4 weeks in active and placebo groups, respectively).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received: 29 June 1995 / Final version: 22 April 1996

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jorenby, D., Hatsukami, D., Smith, S. et al. Characterization of tobacco withdrawal symptoms: transdermal nicotine reduces hunger and weight gain. Psychopharmacology 128, 130–138 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130050118

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s002130050118

Navigation