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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05205811

The Effects of Combination Zonisamide and Bupropion on Switching to an Electronic Cigarette

This three-group randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (N=180) will evaluate the impact of combination zonisamide and bupropion on the process of switching from combustible cigarettes (CCs) to an e-cigarette. There will be a data collection period of at least five days to obtain baseline information on the use of combustible cigarettes. All participants enrolled in the study will receive a JUUL e-cigarette at Visit 2 for ad libitum use. After the first week of e-cigarette use (at Visit 3), participants will be given bupropion (150 mg each morning for days 1-3, then 300 mg daily) with either zonisamide (100 mg daily) or placebo (group 1 and group 2 respectively), or placebo for both medications (group 3) in addition to continued use of the e-cigarette. At each visit, participants will receive enough study drugs (or placebos) and e-cigarettes to last until their next study visit. The combination of zonisamide and bupropion use will continue until Visit 6 (7 weeks of treatment), and e-cigarette use will continue until the end of treatment (Visit 7).

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Key information

Age range

21 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

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 ICF.
  • 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 CO reading of at least 10 ppm at screening.
  • Is interested in switching to an electronic cigarette.
  • Is willing and able to comply with the requirements of the study.
  • Owns a smartphone 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, ECG, concomitant medications and medical history).
  • Has a 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.
  • Has plans to use an FDA-approved smoking cessation product during the study.
  • Has high blood pressure (systolic > 150 mmHg or diastolic >95 mmHg) at screening.
  • Has body mass index (BMI) less than 15.0 kg/m2 or greater than 40.0 kg/m2.
  • Has 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.
  • Is taking antidepressants, psychoactive medications (e.g. antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, hypnotics) or medications that prolong QTc.
  • Has used any of these products in the past 30 days:
  • Illegal drugs (or if the urine drug screen is positive for cocaine, THC, amphetamines, methamphetamines, or opiates);
  • Experimental (investigational) drugs that are unknown to participant;
  • Chronic opiate use.
  • Has used 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.
  • Has a plan to use an FDA-approved quit-smoking treatment in the next 30 days.
  • Is pregnant or nursing (by self-report) or has a positive pregnancy test.
  • Enrollment requirements met.

Treatment and study plan

bupropion

Drug

Extended-release bupropion dosing (150 mg each morning days 1-3, then 300 mg/daily) for the remainder of the 7 weeks.

Other names: Wellbutrin, Zyban

zonisamide

Drug

Zonisamide (100 mg/daily) for 7 weeks.

Other names: zonegran

Placebo Bupropion

Drug

Placebo bupropion for 7 weeks.

Placebo zonisamide

Drug

Placebo zonisamide for 7 weeks.

E-Cigarette

Other

e-cigarette for ad libitum use for two weeks prior to complete switch day and for an additional 10 weeks.

Other names: JUUL

Primary outcomes

  1. Complete Switching From Combustible Cigarettes to JUUL e-cigarette as measured by Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO)

    Time frame: After 8 weeks

    Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) < 5 ppm at the end of drug treatment

  2. Complete Switching From Combustible Cigarettes to JUUL e-cigarette as measured by change in Total urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL)

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 8, Week 12

    Total urinary 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol (NNAL)

  3. Complete Switching From Combustible Cigarettes to JUUL e-cigarette as measured by change in self-report of daily cigarette and e-cigarette use

    Time frame: Daily from Week 2 to Week 12

    Self-report of daily cigarette and e-cigarette use

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Smoking withdrawal symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

    Smoking withdrawal symptoms will be collected using a questionnaire developed by Drs. Shiffman and Jarvik (1976), which assesses craving for cigarettes, negative mood, arousal, missing the habit of smoking, changes in appetite and somatic symptoms and a seven-point scale (from 1-Not at All to 7-Extremely). Higher scores indicate more withdrawal symptoms.

  2. Change in Rewarding and aversive effects of smoking and e-cigarette use

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8, Week 12

    The mCEQ-E will be utilized to assess the degree to which participants experience the reinforcing of smoking, providing five subscale scores: smoking satisfaction (satisfying, tastes good,enjoy smoking), psychological rewards (calms down, more awake, less irritable, helps concentrate, reduces hunger), aversion (dizziness, nauseated), enjoyment of respiratory tract sensations (single-item assessment), craving reduction (single-item assessment). Participants will be asked to assess the 12 items of the questionnaire on a 7-point scale, ranging from "not at all" to "extremely". These 12 items will be asked for the "first cigarette smoked", "cigarette immediately after a meal", and "all other cigarettes." The e-cigarette version of this questionnaire (mECEQ-E) will also be used.

Other outcomes

  1. Tolerability of study drugs as measured by frequency of drug termination or drug non-adherence

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 1, Week 2, Week 4, Week 8

    The frequency of drug termination or non-adherence prior to Week 8 will be tabulated for each condition. Adverse effects will also be tabulated for each condition, including the following adverse effects of special interest (AESIs): insomnia, agitation, dry mouth, somnolence, headache, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness or loss of appetite.

  2. Seven-day point abstinence at 6 months post-switch

    Time frame: 6 Months post Switch Day

    Seven-day point abstinence at 6 months post-switch will be assessed by self-report and confirmed by exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) < 5 ppm.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Rose Research Center, LLC

Industry

Collaborators

  • Foundation for a Smoke Free World INC

Registry information

Official study title

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Effects of Combination Zonisamide and Bupropion on Switching to an Electronic Cigarette

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jan 25, 2022
Registry last updated
Feb 6, 2026

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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