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Is Atomoxetine effective in treating nicotine withdrawal? A double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose study
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- Author / Creator
- Dadashova, Rana
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Drugs that affect noradrenaline neurotransmission are used as therapy for smoking cessation. A recent study in individuals with attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suggested that atomoxetine, a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, may reduce cravings in individuals with ADHD who also smoked. The present double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose study investigated the effect of atomoxetine on nicotine withdrawal in otherwise healthy smokers, who has no psychiatric condition, and wish to stop smoking. A total of 17 individuals received either 40 mg atomoxetine (9 participants) or placebo (8 participants) treatment for 21-days. Study results indicated that, although none of the participants stopped smoking, there was clinical improvement in the atomoxetine treated group compared to the placebo group. Analysis showed significant differences between groups with regards to nicotine dependence and smoking urges. These differences were not seen in mixed model and in a last-observation carried forward analysis. Of note was that all participants in the placebo group completed the study while more than half of the participants in the atomoxetine group dropped out due to side-effects. It is concluded that atomoxetine deserves further study as a drug to help individuals stopping smoking, but given the high drop-out rate, a lower dose may be required.
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- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Fall 2011
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.