A Double-Blind Trial of a 16-Hour Transdermal Nicotine Patch in Smoking Cessation

TO date, the use of nicotine chewing gum combined with psychological support during the initial months of quitting smoking is the only treatment that has been shown to increase long-term rates of quitting, as compared with placebo. 1 , 2 Of six trials that have assessed the efficacy of a 24-hour transdermal nicotine patch, a significant increase in short-term cessation was found in five. 3 4 5 6 7 8 There are a number of important differences between nicotine chewing gum and the nicotine patch. The gum is often used as the smoker wishes, and chewing may itself be of therapeutic value, even if it is associated with some . . .