-
Neurologic Clinics Feb 2023Cerebellar ataxia results from damage to the cerebellum and presents as movement incoordination and variability, gait impairment, and slurred speech. Patients with... (Review)
Review
Cerebellar ataxia results from damage to the cerebellum and presents as movement incoordination and variability, gait impairment, and slurred speech. Patients with cerebellar ataxia can also have cognitive and mood changes. Although the identification of causes for cerebellar ataxia can be complex, age of presentation, chronicity, family history, and associated movement disorders may provide diagnostic clues. There are many genetic causes for cerebellar ataxia, and the common autosomal dominant and recessive ataxia are due to genetic repeat expansions. Step-by-step approach will lead to the identification of the causes. Symptomatic and potential disease-modifying therapies may benefit patients with cerebellar ataxia.
Topics: Humans; Cerebellar Ataxia; Ataxia; Cerebellum
PubMed: 36400556
DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2022.05.002 -
Australian Journal of General Practice Aug 2020Although Australia is a world leader in tobacco control, smoking remains the behavioural risk factor making the largest contribution to death and disease. Smoking rates...
BACKGROUND
Although Australia is a world leader in tobacco control, smoking remains the behavioural risk factor making the largest contribution to death and disease. Smoking rates remain high in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and in people with mental health problems. Priority groups for cessation include women who are pregnant and people with cardiovascular disease.
OBJECTIVE
This article, based on the recently published second edition of Supporting smoking cessation: A guide for health professionals, provides an update on current evidence-based practice to support quitting. A brief, time-efficient intervention approach (Ask, Advise, Help) is proposed. New approaches to the use of pharmacotherapy are covered, as is the controversial role of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes and advice for groups with high smoking prevalence and those with special needs.
DISCUSSION
A combination of behavioural support along with pharmacotherapy to treat nicotine dependence maximises the chances of successful long-term cessation. Combination nicotine replacement therapy (patch and short-acting oral form) or varenicline are the most effective forms of pharmacotherapy.
Topics: Australia; History, 20th Century; History, Ancient; Humans; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Nicotiana
PubMed: 32738868
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-03-20-5287 -
Drugs Feb 2022Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent but severely under-treated disorder, with only three widely-approved pharmacotherapies. Given that AUD is a very... (Review)
Review
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a highly prevalent but severely under-treated disorder, with only three widely-approved pharmacotherapies. Given that AUD is a very heterogeneous disorder, it is unlikely that one single medication will be effective for all individuals with an AUD. As such, there is a need to develop new, more effective, and diverse pharmacological treatment options for AUD with the hopes of increasing utilization and improving care. In this qualitative literature review, we discuss the efficacy, mechanism of action, and tolerability of approved, repurposed, and novel pharmacotherapies for the treatment of AUD with a clinical perspective. Pharmacotherapies discussed include: disulfiram, acamprosate, naltrexone, nalmefene, topiramate, gabapentin, varenicline, baclofen, sodium oxybate, aripiprazole, ondansetron, mifepristone, ibudilast, suvorexant, prazosin, doxazosin, N-acetylcysteine, GET73, ASP8062, ABT-436, PF-5190457, and cannabidiol. Overall, many repurposed and novel agents discussed in this review demonstrate clinical effectiveness and promise for the future of AUD treatment. Importantly, these medications also offer potential improvements towards the advancement of precision medicine and personalized treatment for the heterogeneous AUD population. However, there remains a great need to improve access to treatment, increase the menu of approved pharmacological treatments, and de-stigmatize and increase treatment-seeking for AUD.
Topics: Acamprosate; Alcohol Deterrents; Alcoholism; Baclofen; Disulfiram; Humans; Naltrexone; Topiramate
PubMed: 35133639
DOI: 10.1007/s40265-021-01670-3 -
JAMA Jul 2023Cytisinicline (cytisine) is a plant-based alkaloid that, like varenicline, binds selectively to α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which mediate nicotine... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
Cytisinicline (cytisine) is a plant-based alkaloid that, like varenicline, binds selectively to α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which mediate nicotine dependence. Although not licensed in the US, cytisinicline is used in some European countries to aid smoking cessation, but its traditional dosing regimen and treatment duration may not be optimal.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of cytisinicline for smoking cessation when administered in a novel pharmacokinetically based dosing regimen for 6 or 12 weeks vs placebo.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
A 3-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial (ORCA-2) compared 2 durations of cytisinicline treatment (6 or 12 weeks) vs placebo, with follow-up to 24 weeks, among 810 adults who smoked cigarettes daily and wanted to quit. It was conducted at 17 US sites from October 2020 to December 2021.
INTERVENTIONS
Participants were randomized (1:1:1) to cytisinicline, 3 mg, 3 times daily for 12 weeks (n = 270); cytisinicline, 3 mg, 3 times daily for 6 weeks then placebo 3 times daily for 6 weeks (n = 269); or placebo 3 times daily for 12 weeks (n = 271). All participants received behavioral support.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Biochemically verified continuous smoking abstinence for the last 4 weeks of cytisinicline treatment vs placebo (primary) and from end of treatment to 24 weeks (secondary).
RESULTS
Of 810 randomized participants (mean age, 52.5 years; 54.6% female; mean of 19.4 cigarettes smoked daily), 618 (76.3%) completed the trial. For the 6-week course of cytisinicline vs placebo, continuous abstinence rates were 25.3% vs 4.4% during weeks 3 to 6 (odds ratio [OR], 8.0 [95% CI, 3.9-16.3]; P < .001) and 8.9% vs 2.6% during weeks 3 to 24 (OR, 3.7 [95% CI, 1.5-10.2]; P = .002). For the 12-week course of cytisinicline vs placebo, continuous abstinence rates were 32.6% vs 7.0% for weeks 9 to 12 (OR, 6.3 [95% CI, 3.7-11.6]; P < .001) and 21.1% vs 4.8% during weeks 9 to 24 (OR, 5.3 [95% CI, 2.8-11.1]; P < .001). Nausea, abnormal dreams, and insomnia occurred in less than 10% of each group. Sixteen participants (2.9%) discontinued cytisinicline due to an adverse event. No drug-related serious adverse events occurred.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Both 6- and 12-week cytisinicline schedules, with behavioral support, demonstrated smoking cessation efficacy and excellent tolerability, offering new nicotine dependence treatment options.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04576949.
Topics: Humans; Middle Aged; Alkaloids; Azocines; Duration of Therapy; Quinolizines; Smoking Cessation; Tobacco Use Disorder; Smoking Cessation Agents; Double-Blind Method; Treatment Outcome; Male; Female; Quinolizidine Alkaloids; Nicotine; Receptors, Nicotinic; Cigarette Smoking
PubMed: 37432430
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.10042 -
Journal of Child and Adolescent... Aug 2019While the majority of youth who experiment with alcohol and drugs do not develop problematic levels of use, 5% of adolescents and 15% of young adults meet criteria for a... (Review)
Review
While the majority of youth who experiment with alcohol and drugs do not develop problematic levels of use, 5% of adolescents and 15% of young adults meet criteria for a substance use disorder (SUD). Pharmacotherapy, in combination with behavioral interventions, has the potential to increase the likelihood of successful treatment for youth struggling with SUD; however, the literature in this area is limited. To date, there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications for adolescent SUD, other than buprenorphine, which has been approved down to 16 years of age for opioid use disorder. Despite alcohol and cannabis being the most commonly used substances during adolescence, only three medications have been tested among this demographic, and only two have warranted further study (i.e., naltrexone for alcohol and -acetylcysteine for cannabis use disorder). Although less common in adolescents and young adults, the most promising pharmacological findings for this age group are for opioid (buprenorphine) and tobacco (bupropion and varenicline) use disorders. In addition, despite the recent marked increases in electronic nicotine delivery systems (i.e., vaping) among youth, treatment strategies are still in their infancy and no recommendation exists for how to promote cessation for youth vaping. Current findings are limited by: small, demographically homogeneous samples; few trials, including a substantial number of youth younger than 18; low retention; medication adherence rates; and minimal information on effective dosing levels and long-term outcomes. Overall, pharmacotherapy may be a potentially effective strategy to increase treatment effects; however, more rigorous research trials are warranted before FDA approval would be granted for any of the potential adjunctive medications in this age group.
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Alcoholism; Behavior Therapy; Combined Modality Therapy; Humans; Medication Adherence; Smoking Cessation; Substance-Related Disorders; Tobacco Use Disorder; Young Adult
PubMed: 31009234
DOI: 10.1089/cap.2019.0009 -
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Jan 2022To complement real-world evidence (RWE) guidelines, the 2019 Structured Preapproval and Postapproval Comparative study design framework to generate valid and transparent... (Review)
Review
To complement real-world evidence (RWE) guidelines, the 2019 Structured Preapproval and Postapproval Comparative study design framework to generate valid and transparent real-world Evidence (SPACE) framework elucidated a process for designing valid and transparent real-world studies. As an extension to SPACE, here, we provide a structured framework for conducting feasibility assessments-a step-by-step guide to identify decision grade, fit-for-purpose data, which complements the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s framework for a RWE program. The process was informed by our collective experience conducting systematic feasibility assessments of existing data sources for pharmacoepidemiology studies to support regulatory decisions. Used with the SPACE framework, the Structured Process to Identify Fit-For-Purpose Data (SPIFD) provides a systematic process for conducting feasibility assessments to determine if a data source is fit for decision making, helping ensure justification and transparency throughout study development, from articulation of a specific and meaningful research question to identification of fit-for-purpose data and study design.
Topics: Data Collection; Decision Making; Feasibility Studies; Humans; Research Design; Varenicline; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 34716990
DOI: 10.1002/cpt.2466 -
JAMA Jul 2021Cytisine is more effective than placebo and nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. However, cytisine has not been tested against the most effective smoking... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
Cytisine is more effective than placebo and nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation. However, cytisine has not been tested against the most effective smoking cessation medication, varenicline, which is associated with adverse events known to lead to discontinuation of therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether standard cytisine treatment (25 days) was at least as effective as standard varenicline treatment (84 days) for smoking cessation.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This noninferiority, open-label randomized clinical trial with allocation concealment and blinded outcome assessment was undertaken in Australia from November 2017 through May 2019; follow-up was completed in January 2020. A total of 1452 Australian adult daily smokers willing to make a quit attempt were included. Data collection was conducted primarily by computer-assisted telephone interview, but there was an in-person visit to validate the primary outcome.
INTERVENTIONS
Treatments were provided in accordance with the manufacturers' recommended dosage: cytisine (n = 725), 1.5-mg capsules taken 6 times daily initially then gradually reduced over the 25-day course; varenicline (n = 727), 0.5-mg tablets titrated to 1 mg twice daily for 84 days (12 weeks). All participants were offered referral to standard telephone behavioral support.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was 6-month continuous abstinence verified using a carbon monoxide breath test at 7-month follow-up. The noninferiority margin was set at 5% and the 1-sided significance threshold was set at .025.
RESULTS
Among 1452 participants who were randomized (mean [SD] age, 42.9 [12.7] years; 742 [51.1%] women), 1108 (76.3%) completed the trial. Verified 6-month continuous abstinence rates were 11.7% for the cytisine group and 13.3% for the varenicline group (risk difference, -1.62% [1-sided 97.5% CI, -5.02% to ∞]; P = .03 for noninferiority). Self-reported adverse events occurred less frequently in the cytisine group (997 events among 482 participants) compared with the varenicline group (1206 events among 510 participants) and the incident rate ratio was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.81 to 0.95; P = .002).
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Among daily smokers willing to quit, cytisine treatment for 25 days, compared with varenicline treatment for 84 days, failed to demonstrate noninferiority regarding smoking cessation.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
anzctr.org.au Identifier: ACTRN12616001654448.
Topics: Adult; Alkaloids; Azocines; Dreams; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea; Quinolizines; Smoking Cessation; Smoking Cessation Agents; Treatment Outcome; Varenicline
PubMed: 34228066
DOI: 10.1001/jama.2021.7621 -
Revista de Investigacion Clinica;... 2023The tobacco epidemic has been one of the biggest public health threats, and smoking is one of the world's largest preventable causes of premature death. An estimated... (Review)
Review
The tobacco epidemic has been one of the biggest public health threats, and smoking is one of the world's largest preventable causes of premature death. An estimated 15.4% of all deaths in the world are attributable to tobacco smoking. The present review aims to describe addiction to tobacco smoking and vaping. Tobacco and vaping devices contain nicotine, a highly addictive drug, which explains why smoking is so prevalent and persistent. Electronic cigarettes are a group of novel nicotine or tobacco products that have rapidly gained popularity in recent years. Electronic cigarette devices allow for the use of other drugs, including THC, while the lax regulation may allow for the introduction of toxic compounds that can lead to acute or subacute toxicity, such as the e-cigarette- or vaping-associated lung injury that has been linked to vitamin E acetate. In addition, regular vapers and heated tobacco devices emit toxins, although at lower concentrations than burned tobacco. However, more and more side effects have been identified. No new effective treatment for nicotine addiction has been developed recently, despite its huge adverse impact on overall health and other outcomes. As for the primary line of medications, the last one started in 2006, the varenicline, demonstrating a low interest in developing new medications against smoking, an unacceptable state of affairs, given the huge impact of smoking on morbidity and mortality.
Topics: Humans; Vaping; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Nicotine; Smoking Cessation; Tobacco Smoking
PubMed: 37441760
DOI: 10.24875/RIC.23000117 -
Ophthalmology Apr 2022To evaluate the efficacy and safety of OC-01 (varenicline solution) nasal spray for treatment of patients with dry eye disease. (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
PURPOSE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of OC-01 (varenicline solution) nasal spray for treatment of patients with dry eye disease.
DESIGN
Randomized, multicenter, double-masked, vehicle-controlled, phase 3 study.
PARTICIPANTS
Adults 22 years of age or older with a diagnosis of dry eye disease, artificial tear use, Ocular Surface Disease Index score of 23 or more, and Schirmer test score (STS) of 10 mm or less. Eligibility was not restricted by eye dryness score (EDS).
METHODS
Patients (N = 758) were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to twice-daily treatment with 50-μl intranasal spray in each nostril of OC-01 0.03 mg (n = 260), OC-01 0.06 mg (n = 246), or vehicle (control; n = 252) for 4 weeks (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier, NCT04036292).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The primary efficacy end point was the percentage of patients achieving a 10-mm improvement or more in STS at week 4. Secondary end points included change from baseline to week 4 in STS and EDS in a controlled adverse environment (CAE) chamber and in the clinic. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were assessed.
RESULTS
A statistically significantly greater percentage of patients achieved the primary end point in both OC-01 treatment groups compared with the vehicle group (OC-01 0.03 mg, 47.3%; OC-01 0.06 mg, 49.2%; vehicle, 27.8%; P < 0.0001 for both doses). Change from baseline in STS at week 4 was statistically significantly greater for patients receiving OC-01 than vehicle (P < 0.0001 for both doses). Eye dryness score assessed at week 4 improved with OC-01 treatment compared with vehicle, although the difference was not significant for EDS measured in the CAE chamber and showed (nominal) significance in the clinic. Overall, 86.5% of patients (654/756) reported at least 1 TEAE during the treatment period; most were mild, nonocular (sneezing, cough, throat irritation, and instillation site irritation) and were reported by fewer patients in the vehicle group than in the OC-01 treatment groups (OC-01 0.03 mg, 97.3%; OC-01 0.06 mg, 99.2%; vehicle, 57%).
CONCLUSIONS
OC-01 nasal spray was well tolerated and showed a clinically meaningful effect on signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.
Topics: Adult; Double-Blind Method; Dry Eye Syndromes; Humans; Lubricant Eye Drops; Nasal Sprays; Ophthalmic Solutions; Tears; Treatment Outcome; Varenicline
PubMed: 34767866
DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.11.004 -
High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular... Oct 2020Tobacco use is one of the major public health concerns and it is the most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Smoking cessation reduces subsequent... (Review)
Review
Tobacco use is one of the major public health concerns and it is the most preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Smoking cessation reduces subsequent cardiovascular events and mortality. Smoking is a real chronic disorder characterized by the development of an addiction status mainly due to nicotine. This condition makes the smokers generally unable to quit smoking without help. Different strategies are available to treat smoking dependence that include both non-pharmacological (behavioral counselling) and pharmacological therapies. Currently, it is well accepted that smoking cessation drugs are effective and safe in real-world settings. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline, bupropion and cytisine are the main pharmacological strategies available for smoking cessation. Their efficacy and safety have been proved even in patients with chronic cardiovascular disease. Each of these drugs has peculiar characteristics and the clinician should customize the smoking cessation strategy based on currently available scientific evidence and patient's preference, paying particular attention to those patients having specific cardiovascular and psychiatric comorbidities. The present document aims to summarize the current viable pharmacological strategies for smoking cessation, also discussing the controversial issue regarding the use of alternative tobacco products, in order to provide useful practical indications to all physicians, mainly to those involved in cardiovascular prevention.
Topics: Alkaloids; Azocines; Bupropion; Clinical Decision-Making; Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Humans; Quinolizines; Recurrence; Risk Factors; Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Smoking Cessation Agents; Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; Tobacco Use Disorder; Treatment Outcome; Varenicline
PubMed: 32578165
DOI: 10.1007/s40292-020-00396-9