Results of an initial clinical trial of varenicline for the treatment of cocaine dependence - PubMed (original) (raw)

Randomized Controlled Trial

Results of an initial clinical trial of varenicline for the treatment of cocaine dependence

Jennifer G Plebani et al. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2012.

Abstract

Background: Cocaine use, abuse and dependence remains a pressing public health problem. Based on its mechanism of action, varenicline, an alpha4beta2 partial agonist seemed to be a likely candidate for treating cocaine dependence.

Methods: Cocaine dependent participants (n=37) were enrolled in a 9-week double-blind placebo controlled clinical trial. Varenicline was titrated up to a target dose of 1mg BID during the first week of medication.

Results: Varenicline was associated with lower odds of cocaine use than placebo (OR=2.02, p=0.08), as measured by thrice-weekly urinalysis results. Compared to placebo-treated participants, varenicline treated participants had significantly decreased rates of cocaine reward, as measured by the Multiple Choice Procedure (MCP) (p=0.02).

Conclusions: Varenicline appears to decrease cocaine use and reward, suggesting that further investigation of varenicline may be warranted.

Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

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Figures

Figure 1

Figure 1

Attendance rates for the varenicline and placebo groups. Both groups attended approximately 77% of visits, with no significant difference in time to last visit (F=2.77, p = 0.10). Cocaine use results as measured by semi-quantitative benzoylecgonine levels. Varenicline treated participants had lower rates of cocaine use than did placebo-treated participants (OR = 2.02, p = 0.08). Results from the Multiple Choice Procedure (MCP), showing devaluation of cocaine over time in the varenicline-treated group, as compared to a fairly steady-state level in placebo-treated participants (p = .02). Results from the CSSA. Both varenicline and placebo-treated groups show significant decreases in craving from baseline to end of study (p = .004).

Figure 1

Figure 1

Attendance rates for the varenicline and placebo groups. Both groups attended approximately 77% of visits, with no significant difference in time to last visit (F=2.77, p = 0.10). Cocaine use results as measured by semi-quantitative benzoylecgonine levels. Varenicline treated participants had lower rates of cocaine use than did placebo-treated participants (OR = 2.02, p = 0.08). Results from the Multiple Choice Procedure (MCP), showing devaluation of cocaine over time in the varenicline-treated group, as compared to a fairly steady-state level in placebo-treated participants (p = .02). Results from the CSSA. Both varenicline and placebo-treated groups show significant decreases in craving from baseline to end of study (p = .004).

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