Smoking Cessation Trial in Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis and Chronic Pancreatitis

Description

This randomized trial evaluates the safety and efficacy of varenicline-based smoking cessation treatment for patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. Participants who currently smoke cigarettes and have a desire to quit smoking will be eligible to participate in this study.

Upon providing informed consent, baseline information regarding quality of life, pain, smoking history, and mental health will be collected for each participant in addition to an exhaled carbon monoxide level measurement. Participants will then be started on standard varenicline dosing for smoking cessation (1mg PO BID) for 6 weeks. Participants who continue to smoke (non-abstainers) after 6 weeks will then be randomized into 3 treatment options:

1) Increased varenicline dosing (1mg PO TID) 2) Combination of varenicline (1mg PO BID) with bupropion (150mg PO BID) or 3) Continued standard dosing of varenicline (1 mg PO BID) for an additional 6 weeks.

After 12 weeks of treatment, participants will be asked about their smoking status, have an exhaled carbon monoxide level measured and will repeat their assessments of quality of life, pain, mental health and smoking urges.