Transdermal nicotine reduces cigarette craving and nicotine preference.

The effects of transdermal nicotine in 10 cigarette smokers were studied in a within-subjects, double-blind design. Either 8 mg nicotine base in a 30% aqueous solution or an inactive placebo solution was applied to intact skin under a polyethylene patch. Subjective reports of cigarette craving were collected every 30 minutes during a 90-minute smoking abstinence period. Immediately before and after this abstinence period subjects smoked through a smoke mixing device that allowed them to select their desired nicotine intake with each puff. Transdermal nicotine significantly increased saliva nicotine levels within 30 minutes after application. Cigarette craving was significantly lower in the nicotine condition than in the placebo condition. Nicotine preference during the initial puffs of the smoke mixer test at the end of 90 minutes of deprivation was also decreased by transdermal nicotine. In contrast, measures of cumulative smoke intake were not affected by the nicotine dose used. Our results suggest that transdermal nicotine may enhance success in smoking cessation by preventing the rise in cigarette craving usually observed after cessation. Transdermal nicotine may be preferable to other routes of nicotine administration because of the relative absence of adverse side effects.