Therapeutic nicotine (TN) remains first-line treatment option PITTSBURGH, July 28
PITTSBURGH, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- New data published today in the
August issue of Thorax shows no significant differences in 6-month and 1-year
quit rates between the NicoDerm(R) CQ(R) Clear Patch and Chantix (varenicline
tartrate) despite statistically higher quit rates for Chantix (varenicline
tartrate) at 12 weeks. According to the official 2008 U.S. Public Health
Service Guideline, longer-term quit rates at the 6-month milestone are the
most predictive of long-term success.
The Thorax paper, entitled, "Varenicline versus transdermal nicotine patch
for smoking cessation: results from a randomised open-label trial", reports on
a 52-week study that is the first-ever direct comparison of the NicoDerm CQ
Clear Patch to Chantix (varenicline tartrate). The study was conducted using
an "open-label" design, meaning that subjects knew what medication they were
taking. Though this design may have favored the new pill, Chantix (varenicline
tartrate) did not demonstrate long-term superiority to NicoDerm CQ.
"This study confirms that there is no magic bullet when it comes to
smoking cessation and that both therapeutic nicotine and Chantix (varenicline
tartrate) demonstrate long-term effectiveness," stated Dr. Howard Marsh, vice
president of Worldwide Medical Affairs for GlaxoSmithKline Consumer
Healthcare. "There is also no single approach that will work for everyone. For
example, a substantial proportion of quit attempts are made spontaneously,
without much planning. Therapeutic nicotine is widely available without the
need for a prescription or a visit to a doctor's office."
Each smoking cessation medicine has been proven effective. In separate
double blind placebo-controlled studies for NicoDerm CQ and Chantix
(varenicline tartrate), NicoDerm CQ patch had a 45 percent success rate (vs.
18 percent for placebo) at the end of 10-week treatment and Chantix
(varenicline tartrate) had a success rate of 44 percent (vs. 18 percent for
placebo) at the end of 12-week treatment.
In fact, the recently updated 2008 U.S. Public Health Service Guideline
recommends these products as well as Commit(R) lozenge and Nicorette(R) gum as
first-line therapy for quitting, as they significantly increase rates of
long-term smoking abstinence.
Dr. Howard Marsh continued, "The aim of all quitters is to quit for good,
so although short-term quit rates are useful indicators of efficacy, long-term
abstinence will prolong improved health. These results confirm that NicoDerm
CQ patch enables a significant proportion of patients to quit for a year."
Over-the-counter therapeutic nicotine products like NicoDerm CQ patch,
Nicorette gum and Commit lozenge are first-line treatments for smoking
cessation and are thoroughly researched, well-understood and highly accessible
stop smoking therapies. Unfortunately, the majority of smokers try to quit
with no assistance at all and only 3-5 percent of smokers who quit "cold
turkey" are successful long-term.
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's family of over-the-counter
therapeutic nicotine products, NicoDerm CQ patch, Nicorette gum and Commit
lozenge have helped more than six million smokers around the world quit
successfully. Of these smokers, over three million have successfully quit
smoking specifically with the help of the NicoDerm CQ patch.
Consistent with their FDA-approved labeling, the GlaxoSmithKline Consumer
Healthcare's therapeutic nicotine products help reduce nicotine withdrawal
symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting smoking.
Therapeutic nicotine products are designed to allow smokers to wean off
nicotine gradually and safely. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's
therapeutic nicotine products are available without a doctor's prescription,
in flexible dosing options at over 35,000 retail outlets across the country.
So a smoker who wants to quit doesn't have to wait to see a doctor to get
help.
With more than 10 years of experience in smoking cessation therapy,
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare understands successful quitting requires
breaking the dependence on tobacco and changing behaviors associated with
smoking. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare recommends that quitters wanting
to improve their chances of success use our individually-tailored Committed
Quitters(R) program or other behavioral support programs in combination with
our therapeutic nicotine products. Our tailored Committed Quitters program is
available to anyone, and further increases a smoker's chances of quitting.
For more information on the Committed Quitters program and managing both
the physical and psychological aspects of smoking dependence, visit
http://www.Way2Quit.com, a comprehensive smoking cessation resource offered by
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.
Notes to editors:
"Varenicline versus transdermal nicotine patch for smoking cessation:
results from a randomised open-label trial". The head to head study was a 52
week, open-label, randomised, multicenter trial conducted in Belgium, France,
the Netherlands, UK and U.S.A. Seven hundred and forty-six participants were
eligible for primary analysis. Participants were randomly assigned to receive
Chantix (varenicline tartrate) for 12 weeks or transdermal therapeutic
nicotine for 10 weeks. The primary endpoint was confirmed abstinence for the
last four weeks of treatment and secondary endpoints were 24 and 52 week
confirmed abstinence, and effect on craving and withdrawal symptoms.
About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest
over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30
well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(R)
and NicoDerm(R)CQ(R), and Commit(R), as well as many medicine cabinet staples
-- alli(R), Aquafresh(R), Sensodyne(R), and TUMS(R) -- which are trademarks
owned by and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.About
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline -- one of the world's leading research-based
pharmaceutical and healthcare companies -- is committed to improving the
quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live
longer. For company information visit: http://www.gsk.com.
SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline
