Using varenicline to help people quit smoking and reduce cannabis use.
Official title: Randomized controlled trial of varenicline to treat tobacco and cannabis co-use.
Funded at Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-11098766 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether a medication called varenicline, along with support from counselors, can help adults in South Carolina who use both tobacco and cannabis to quit using these substances over 12 weeks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Medical University of South Carolina NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $598,901 |
| NIH project number | 5R01CA290842-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11098766 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 18 and older who regularly smoke cigarettes and use cannabis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use both tobacco and cannabis or who are not interested in quitting either substance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effectiveness of varenicline, a medication approved for tobacco cessation, in treating individuals who regularly use both tobacco and cannabis. The study will involve a fully-powered randomized controlled trial that pairs varenicline with psychosocial support over a 12-week period. Participants will be adults aged 18 and older who co-use cigarettes and cannabis, and the trial will be conducted remotely in South Carolina. The goal is to evaluate whether this combined approach can improve treatment outcomes for those struggling with both substances.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new treatment option for individuals trying to quit smoking while also reducing their cannabis use.
How similar studies have gone: While there have been preliminary interventions addressing tobacco-cannabis co-use, this study represents a novel approach by rigorously evaluating varenicline in a controlled trial setting.
Where this research is happening
-
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mcclure, Erin a — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Mcclure, Erin a
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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.