Adverse events associated with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of one hundred and twenty studies involving 177,390 individuals

Background Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is the most common form of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy and has proven efficacy for the treatment of tobacco dependence. Although expectations of mild adverse effects have been observed to be independent predictors of reduced motivation to use NRT,...

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Main Authors: Edward J Mills, Ping Wu, Ian Lockhart, Kumanan Wilson, Jon O Ebbert
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: European Publishing 2010-07-01
Series:Tobacco Induced Diseases
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.journalssystem.com/tid/Adverse-events-associated-with-nicotine-replacement-therapy-NRT-for-smoking-cessation-A-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis-of-one-hundred-and-twenty-studies-involving-177-390-individuals,65973,0,2.html
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author Edward J Mills
Ping Wu
Ian Lockhart
Kumanan Wilson
Jon O Ebbert
author_facet Edward J Mills
Ping Wu
Ian Lockhart
Kumanan Wilson
Jon O Ebbert
author_sort Edward J Mills
collection DOAJ
description Background Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is the most common form of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy and has proven efficacy for the treatment of tobacco dependence. Although expectations of mild adverse effects have been observed to be independent predictors of reduced motivation to use NRT, adverse effects associated with NRT have not been precisely quantified. Objective A systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of NRT versus inert controls and all observational studies to determine the magnitude of reported adverse effects with NRT. Methods Searches of 10 electronic databases from inception to November 2009 were conducted. Study selection and data extraction were carried out independently in duplicate. RCTs were pooled using a random effects method with Odds Ratio [OR] as the effect measure, while proportions were pooled from observational studies. A meta-regression analysis was applied to examine whether the nicotine patch is associated with different adverse effects from those common to orally administered NRT. Results Ninety-two RCTs involving 32,185 participants and 28 observational studies involving 145, 205 participants were identified. Pooled RCT evidence of varying NRT formulations found an increased risk of heart palpitations and chest pains (OR 2.06, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.51-2.82, P < 0.001); nausea and vomiting (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.37-2.04, P < 0.001); gastrointestinal complaints (OR 1.54, 95% CI, 1.25-1.89, P < 0.001); and insomnia (OR 1.42, 95% CI, 1.21-1.66, P < 0.001). Pooled evidence specific to the NRT patch found an increase in skin irritations (OR 2.80, 95% CO, 2.28-3.24, P < 0.001). Orally administered NRT was associated with mouth and throat soreness (OR 1.87, 95% CI, 1.36-2.57, P < 0.001); mouth ulcers (OR 1.49, 95% CI, 1.05-2.20, P < 0.001); hiccoughs (OR 7.68, 95% CI, 4.59-12.85, P < 0.001) and coughing (OR 2.89, 95% CI, 1.92-4.33, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant increase in anxiety or depressive symptoms associated with NRT use. Non-comparative observational studies demonstrated the prevalence of these events in a broad population. Conclusion The use of NRT is associated with a variety of side effects. In addition to counseling and medical monitoring, clinicians should inform patients of potential side effects which are associated with the use of NRT for the treatment of tobacco dependence.
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spelling doaj.art-cb521b9ca6fb47dd86822c347756a6ce2022-12-21T23:13:09ZengEuropean PublishingTobacco Induced Diseases1617-96252010-07-018July10.1186/1617-9625-8-865973Adverse events associated with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of one hundred and twenty studies involving 177,390 individualsEdward J Mills0Ping Wu1Ian Lockhart2Kumanan Wilson3Jon O Ebbert4Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, CanadaDepartment of Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UKPfizer Limited, Tadworth, UKOttawa Health Research Institute, Ottawa, CanadaMayo Graduate School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USABackground Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is the most common form of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy and has proven efficacy for the treatment of tobacco dependence. Although expectations of mild adverse effects have been observed to be independent predictors of reduced motivation to use NRT, adverse effects associated with NRT have not been precisely quantified. Objective A systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of NRT versus inert controls and all observational studies to determine the magnitude of reported adverse effects with NRT. Methods Searches of 10 electronic databases from inception to November 2009 were conducted. Study selection and data extraction were carried out independently in duplicate. RCTs were pooled using a random effects method with Odds Ratio [OR] as the effect measure, while proportions were pooled from observational studies. A meta-regression analysis was applied to examine whether the nicotine patch is associated with different adverse effects from those common to orally administered NRT. Results Ninety-two RCTs involving 32,185 participants and 28 observational studies involving 145, 205 participants were identified. Pooled RCT evidence of varying NRT formulations found an increased risk of heart palpitations and chest pains (OR 2.06, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.51-2.82, P < 0.001); nausea and vomiting (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.37-2.04, P < 0.001); gastrointestinal complaints (OR 1.54, 95% CI, 1.25-1.89, P < 0.001); and insomnia (OR 1.42, 95% CI, 1.21-1.66, P < 0.001). Pooled evidence specific to the NRT patch found an increase in skin irritations (OR 2.80, 95% CO, 2.28-3.24, P < 0.001). Orally administered NRT was associated with mouth and throat soreness (OR 1.87, 95% CI, 1.36-2.57, P < 0.001); mouth ulcers (OR 1.49, 95% CI, 1.05-2.20, P < 0.001); hiccoughs (OR 7.68, 95% CI, 4.59-12.85, P < 0.001) and coughing (OR 2.89, 95% CI, 1.92-4.33, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant increase in anxiety or depressive symptoms associated with NRT use. Non-comparative observational studies demonstrated the prevalence of these events in a broad population. Conclusion The use of NRT is associated with a variety of side effects. In addition to counseling and medical monitoring, clinicians should inform patients of potential side effects which are associated with the use of NRT for the treatment of tobacco dependence.http://www.journalssystem.com/tid/Adverse-events-associated-with-nicotine-replacement-therapy-NRT-for-smoking-cessation-A-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis-of-one-hundred-and-twenty-studies-involving-177-390-individuals,65973,0,2.htmlnicotinesmoking cessationnicotine replacement therapy cotininevarenicline
spellingShingle Edward J Mills
Ping Wu
Ian Lockhart
Kumanan Wilson
Jon O Ebbert
Adverse events associated with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of one hundred and twenty studies involving 177,390 individuals
Tobacco Induced Diseases
nicotine
smoking cessation
nicotine replacement therapy cotinine
varenicline
title Adverse events associated with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of one hundred and twenty studies involving 177,390 individuals
title_full Adverse events associated with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of one hundred and twenty studies involving 177,390 individuals
title_fullStr Adverse events associated with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of one hundred and twenty studies involving 177,390 individuals
title_full_unstemmed Adverse events associated with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of one hundred and twenty studies involving 177,390 individuals
title_short Adverse events associated with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of one hundred and twenty studies involving 177,390 individuals
title_sort adverse events associated with nicotine replacement therapy nrt for smoking cessation a systematic review and meta analysis of one hundred and twenty studies involving 177 390 individuals
topic nicotine
smoking cessation
nicotine replacement therapy cotinine
varenicline
url http://www.journalssystem.com/tid/Adverse-events-associated-with-nicotine-replacement-therapy-NRT-for-smoking-cessation-A-systematic-review-and-meta-analysis-of-one-hundred-and-twenty-studies-involving-177-390-individuals,65973,0,2.html
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