The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of naltrexone, alone and combined with nicotine patch, on responses of smokers to smoking cues after 10 hours of tobacco deprivation. Smokers who are not seeking treatment will be assigned to one of six conditions: They will receive either 50 mg of naltrexone or a placebo pill, and also will wear a nicotine patch that has 0, 21, or 42 mg of nicotine during the tobacco deprivation period. Both the day before the medication and deprivation and at the end of 10 hours of deprivation all will be exposed to lit cigarette cues in the laboratory. Effects of the medications will be assessed on withdrawal measures, urge to smoke, psychophysiological measures, and the topography of smoking three test cigarettes. Studies such as these can help to identify potential interventions for tobacco cessation or withdrawal, and thereby could result in less suffering and mortality.

Condition	Treatment or Intervention
Smoking	Drug: Naltrexone Hydrochloride  Drug: Transdermal Nicotine

Further Study Details: 

Ages Eligible for Study:  18 Years   -   65 Years,  Genders Eligible for Study:  Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Criteria

Adults who have smoked at least 25 cigarettes per day for at least a year. They are not using any method to quit smoking and are not using naltrexone. Must weigh at least 100lbs with no medical contraindications for naltrexone or transdermal nicotine. No contraindicated medications, no recent opiate use or history

Rhode Island
      VA Medical Center, Providence,  Rhode Island,  02908,  United States

Study ID Numbers:  ADRD-020-97F
Record last reviewed:  June 2001
Last Updated:  November 15, 2004
Record first received:  July 3, 2001
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:  NCT00018213
Health Authority: United States: Federal Government
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on 2005-04-08