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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT04210180

Combination of E-cigarettes and Varenicline for Tobacco Harm Reduction

This open-label study will explore the impact of varenicline on the process of switching from combustible cigarettes (CC) to an e-cigarette. Varenicline is currently the most efficacious single pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, and through its actions as an agonist or partial agonist at various nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes, serves to diminish the rewarding effects of cigarette smoking. Diminishing the rewarding effects of smoking might facilitate the transition from CC to e-cigarettes. On the other hand, varenicline might attenuate the rewarding effects of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes as well, which could hamper the transition. Thus, the study will provide important information about the actions of varenicline on CC as well as e-cigarettes. There is no therapeutic intent in that smokers' nicotine/tobacco dependence will not be treated; the goal is to switch from one form of nicotine/tobacco dependence (CC) to dependence on a different tobacco product (e-cigarettes).

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Key information

Age range

21 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2 / Phase 3

Primary location

Rose Research Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

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Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Has signed the ICF and is able to read and understand the information provided in the consent form.
  • Is 21 to 65 years of age (inclusive) at screening.
  • Smokes at least 10 commercially available cigarettes per day (no brand restrictions), for the last 12 months.
  • Has an expired air carbon monoxide reading of at least 10 ppm at screening.
  • Interested in switching to an electronic cigarette.
  • Willing and able to comply with the requirements of the study.
  • Owns a smart phone with text message and data capabilities compatible with necessary surveys.

Exclusion criteria

  • Is unhealthy or cannot participate in the study for any reason (e.g., medical, psychiatric, and/or social reason) as judged by the Investigator or designated medical staff based on all available assessments from the screening period (e.g., safety laboratory, vital signs, physical examination, Ankle-Brachial Index, ECG, concomitant medications and medical history).
  • PHQ-9 score greater than 9, or a score greater than 0 on item #9 ("Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way") at screening.
  • Planned use of an FDA-approved smoking cessation product during the study.
  • High blood pressure (systolic > 150 mmHg or diastolic >95 mmHg) at screening.
  • Body mass index (BMI) less than 15.0 kg/m2 or greater than 40.0 kg/m2.
  • Coronary heart disease, structural cardiac disease (including, but not limited to valvular heart disease or cardiac murmurs), cardiac dysrhythmias, syncope, cardiac chest pain, or history of heart attack or heart failure.
  • Has received psychotherapy or behavioral treatments potentially impacting symptoms of depression, anxiety, or nicotine withdrawal within 30 days of screening, or during the study.
  • Taking antidepressants, psychoactive medications (e.g. antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, hypnotics) or medications that prolong QTc.
  • Use of any of these products in the past 30 days: a. Illegal drugs (or if the urine drug screen is positive for cocaine, THC, amphetamines, methamphetamines, or opiates); b. Experimental (investigational) drugs that are unknown to subject; c. Chronic opiate use.
  • Use of smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff), cigars (except for "Black & Mild" cigars or Cigarillos), pipes, hookah, e-cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy or other smoking cessation treatments within 14 days of screening.
  • Pregnant or nursing (by self-report) or has a positive pregnancy test.
  • Enrollment requirements met.

Treatment and study plan

Varenicline

Drug

0.5 mg nightly for days 1-3, then 0.5 mg twice daily for days 4-7; then 1 mg twice daily for the remaining 11 weeks.

Other names: Chantix

E-Cigarette

Other

Each G6 prefilled cartomizer contains a 50/50 blend nicotine salt with 35mg nicotine strength.

Other names: Halo G6

Primary outcomes

  1. Number of Participant Reporting Continuous Complete Switching From Cigarettes to Halo G6

    Time frame: Weeks 8-11

    The primary switching outcome will be smoking abstinence during weeks 8-11 post-switching date. Complete switching from combustible cigarette use at each time point will be defined by a self-report of no cigarette smoking (not even a puff) since the prior session.

  2. Number of Participants Confirmed (by Expired Air CO) to Have Switched From Cigarettes to Halo G6

    Time frame: Weeks 8-11

    The primary switching outcome will be smoking abstinence during weeks 8-11 post-switching date. Complete switching from combustible cigarette use at each time point confirmed by an expired air CO reading of less than 5 ppm.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Number of Participants Reporting Point Abstinence From Smoking Cigarettes at 6 Months Post-Switch

    Time frame: 6 months

    Point abstinence will be defined by a self-report of no cigarette smoking (not even a puff) in the last seven days at six months post-switch.

Other outcomes

  1. Mean Changes in Arterial Flow When Smokers Switch From Cigarettes to E-cigarettes

    Time frame: Baseline (Visit 1) and 13 weeks (Visit 7)

    Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) use to evaluate vascular changes when smokers change from cigarettes to e-cigarettes over a 13-week period. Measurements will be obtained using a manual sphygmomanometer and an 8- to 10- MHz doppler ultrasound probe. Subjects will undergo this testing at Visit 1 (baseline data) and at the end of study (Visit 7).

    Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) is the ratio of the blood pressure in the lower legs to the blood pressure in the arms. The normal range for the ankle-brachial index is between 0.90 and 1.30. An index of 0.41 to 0.90 indicates mild to moderate arterial disease and an index of 0.40 and lower indicates severe disease

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rose Research Center, LLC

Industry

Collaborators

  • Foundation for a Smoke Free World INC

Registry information

Acronym: EVAR

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2021
First posted
Dec 24, 2019
Registry last updated
Feb 24, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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