New hope in ciggy battle
AN over-the-counter dissolvable tablet could hold the key to smokers quitting the habit for good.
The naturally occurring substance n-acetylcysteine, commonly found in leafy green vegetables, is being used by researchers as a way to stem craving in addicts.
Scientists at the Centre for Innovation in Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Treatment (IMPACT) are starting a clinical trial to evaluate how effective the substance is in helping people quit smoking.
Lead researcher Associate Professor Seetal Dodd, a Clinical Associate Professor in Deakin’s School of Medicine, said n-acetylcysteine (commonly known as NAC) helped the body make glutathione, an important antioxidant enzyme, and was a popular nutritional supplement, as well as being used in some medicines.
“There is some pilot data that shows it is effective against systems of craving in addict disorders. It has already been used (to treat) cocaine addiction,” Prof Dodd said.
IMPACT researchers traditionally work in mental health and found there is often a high rate of smoking among patients.
“There is a big problem with high rates of smoking (among those mentally ill) and getting people medication that is compatible with their mental illness medication is problematic,” Prof Dodd said.
While finding a quit smoking aid for people on medication was the motivation, a 42-week pilot trial will consist of 60 participants.
“This new study sets out to prove the benefits of taking NAC for people who are attempting to quit smoking,” Prof Dodd said.
“NAC can reduce symptoms of craving in drug addiction and our previous research has suggested that it may also work to help people to quit smoking,” he said.
“So, although it doesn’t help people make the initial quit attempt, we’re hoping that it is effective in helping people avoid starting again.”
Prof Dodd said a lot of nicotine cessation aids had fairly severe consequences, so NAC could offer a milder alternative, which was cost-effective too. He said NAC could actually have positive mental health and pulmonary benefits.
“Because cigarettes do so much harm it is possible that NAC reduces the amount of harm, particularly on the lungs, and could make (the patient) feel better which is motivation for doing treatment,” Prof Dodd said.
Health Tracker data released in 2017, showed Geelong suburbs Norlane and Corio have the highest number of smokers per health area in Victoria. It showed 29.5 per cent of Corio and Norlane respondents listed themselves as current smokers in the 2014-15 National Health Survey. In contrast, just 7.8 per cent of Melbourne respondents identified this way.
The IMPACT team is looking to recruit people across Melbourne and Geelong to take part in the trial. Half will be given the NAC and half a placebo. Research assistant Lauren Arancini said it would be a double blind trial, so those administering the treatment won’t know which participant is in which group.
“Trial participants will need to visit us at the start of the intervention, after eight weeks, 16 weeks and then a follow-up at week 42. But they will only be taking the medication until week 16,” Ms Arancini said.
“We will be collecting information through questionnaires on things such as mood, personality, substance use and mental health. We will also be collecting saliva samples to check for traces of nicotine.”
If successful the drug could become a common quit-smoking aid. Because the drug has already been approved and is available cheaply, both researchers say it could be “speedily adopted” for an anti-smoking purpose.
To apply for the trial or find out more visit nacetylcysteine.net