Mayo Clinic to Study Bupropion to Help Spit-Tobacco Users Quit

Monday, July 07, 2003

ROCHESTER, Minn. — The Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center - Research Program seeks men and women age 18 or older who want to stop using spit tobacco (chewing tobacco and snuff). They will participate in a research study to evaluate the effectiveness of bupropion. — a medication known to help cigarette smokers quit. — for spit-tobacco users who want to kick the habit.

The study will expand upon a previous pilot study of 68 participants that reported very promising results in the August 2002 issue of the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research. "While those results are good news for spit tobacco users trying to quit, this much larger study is needed to confirm this medication's effectiveness," says Lowell Dale, M.D., a Mayo Clinic specialist and lead researcher on both studies. "None of the other medications that help smokers quit (patches and gum) has been shown to be as effective for spit-tobacco users. Until now, spit-tobacco users have not had proven tools available to help them stop."

Approximately 12 million people in the United States regularly use spit tobacco, increasing their risk for developing oral cancer by as much as seven times. "It is commonly misperceived that because spit tobacco is 'smokeless,' it is a safer alternative to smoking," Dr. Dale notes. "To the contrary, oral (mouth) cancers are among the toughest cancers to treat. On average, only half of those with mouth cancer will survive more than five years. There also is evidence now that spit-tobacco users have higher risks of hypertension and heart disease compared with those who do not use tobacco."

Qualified subjects will be randomly assigned to receive either bupropion or a placebo for 12 weeks. Participants will make weekly visits during the first 12 weeks and then return for three follow-up visits over the subsequent nine months of the study. In addition, all participants will receive behavior-modification counseling and information about tobacco cessation. The risks associated with the study medication are minimal and may include anxiety, irritability, headaches, skin rashes, hives or itching, and ringing or buzzing of the ears. Remuneration will be offered.

Anyone interested in this research study should call the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center - Research Program at 800-848-7853 or 507-266-1944.

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Contact:
Richard D. Hurt, Jr.
507-266-2166 (days)
507-284-2511 (evenings)
e-mail: newsbureau@mayo.edu

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