Combining varenicline and nicotine lozenges with smartphone support to help people quit smoking
Official title: A Randomized Factorial Trial of Varenicline with Nicotine Lozenges and a Smartphone Medication Adherence Intervention to Promote Smoking Cessation
Funded at University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr · NIH-11070610 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether using a combination of a smoking cessation pill, nicotine lozenges, and a helpful smartphone app can make it easier for people to quit smoking compared to just taking the pill alone, and it’s designed for anyone who wants to stop smoking.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Oklahoma City, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $625,201 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA298165-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11070610 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who are motivated to quit smoking and are willing to use a smartphone app for support.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not interested in quitting smoking or who are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of combining varenicline, a medication for smoking cessation, with nicotine lozenges and a smartphone app designed to improve medication adherence. The study aims to determine if this combination can enhance the chances of quitting smoking compared to using varenicline alone. Participants will receive behavioral support through the app, which will help track their progress and provide reminders to take their medications. The research will involve a randomized trial to assess the outcomes of this combined approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve smoking cessation rates, leading to better health outcomes and reduced cancer risk for participants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success with similar combination therapies for smoking cessation, although this specific approach has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
Oklahoma City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kendzor, Darla Elizabeth — University of Oklahoma Hlth Sciences Ctr
- Study coordinator: Kendzor, Darla Elizabeth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Varenicline with nicotine lozenges and a phone support program to help adults quit smoking
This project compares varenicline alone to varenicline plus nicotine lozenges and a smartphone medication-support program to help adults 21 and older stop smoking.
-
Social stress and smoking: why disadvantaged young adults struggle to quit
This grant looks at how daily social stress affects if and when disadvantaged young adults who smoke can quit and stay quit.
-
I-STOP: a mobile health program to help people with HIV quit smoking
A smartphone-based program designed to help people with HIV quit smoking in a sustainable, affordable way.
-
Smoking cessation help for people with HIV in South Africa
A program is being tested to help people living with HIV in South Africa quit smoking in ways that fit low-resource clinics and show good value.
-
Mobile tools to understand how sleep affects quitting smoking
This project uses a smartphone to track sleep and smoking in lower-income adults trying to quit to find how sleep patterns relate to staying smoke-free.
-
Integrated approach to lung screening and quitting for African Americans
A multi-level program aims to boost LDCT lung cancer screening uptake and help African American smokers quit, with support from a comprehensive community-focused plan.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.