Use of phenylpropanolamine to reduce nicotine cessation induced weight gain in rats.

The present study was conducted to determine if phenylpropanolamine (PPA) administered during the first week of nicotine termination could reduce or eliminate the body weight rebound which accompanies nicotine cessation. Sprague-Dawley rats were administered nicotine for 2 weeks after which they received either PPA or saline for 1 week. Control animals received saline during both drug periods. Body weight, food consumption, and water consumption were measured daily before drug, during nicotine and PPA administration, and for 14 days after PPA administration. In contrast to animals receiving saline upon termination of nicotine, animals receiving PPA did not gain weight at an accelerated rate. Termination of PPA did not result in a body weight rebound. To the extent that these results generalize to humans, they suggest that PPA could be used to reduce or eliminate postcessation weight gain in smokers who stop smoking.