Helping adults quit e-cigarettes while using cannabis
A Prospective Trial of Varenicline and Incentives for E-cigarette Cessation in Adults Who Co-use Cannabis
This study is testing if a medication, along with financial rewards and counseling, can help adults aged 18-40 quit e-cigarettes while they also use cannabis.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 105 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Medical University of South Carolina Academic / other |
| Locations | 3 sites (Charleston, South Carolina and 2 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06688539 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of varenicline, a medication typically used for cigarette cessation, combined with financial incentives and counseling for adults aged 18-40 who co-use e-cigarettes and cannabis. Participants will receive treatment for 12 weeks while their tobacco cessation outcomes are monitored, particularly focusing on how cannabis use affects these outcomes. The study seeks to fill a gap in understanding the interaction between cannabis and tobacco during quit attempts, as current literature lacks consensus on treatment recommendations for this population.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18-40 who use e-cigarettes daily and have a history of cannabis use.
Not a fit: Patients with serious medical or psychiatric disorders, or those who smoke cigarettes regularly, may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new approach to help adults who use both e-cigarettes and cannabis to quit smoking.
How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research specifically targeting cannabis co-use during tobacco cessation, the use of varenicline for smoking cessation has shown success in other populations.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Between the ages of 18 and 40 years old * Use e-cigarettes daily or near daily in the past month * Must submit a positive instant-read urine cotinine test at screening (≥ 200 ng/ml) * Be interested in quitting use of e-cigarettes * Must be willing to take varenicline for the standard 12-week course of treatment * Self-reported use of cannabis on at least 10 out of the past 30 days or must submit a positive qualitative urinary cannabinoid test at screening (\> 50 ng/ml) Exclusion Criteria: * Any serious or unstable medical/psychiatric disorder (including severe substance use disorders, other than cannabis or tobacco use disorders) in the past three months that may interfere with study performance * Use of cigarettes on 10+ days in the past 30 * Currently pregnant or breastfeeding * Current use of medications with smoking cessation efficacy * Use of any medications that would interfere with varenicline
Where this trial is running
Charleston, South Carolina and 2 other locations
- MUSC Charleston — Charleston, South Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
- MUSC Lancaster — Lancaster, South Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
- Behavioral Health Services of Pickens County — Pickens, South Carolina, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Erin A McClure, PhD — Medical University of South Carolina
- Study coordinator: Elizabeth Chapman, MA, LPC, LAC, AADC
- Email: chapmanb@musc.edu
- Phone: 864.898.2992
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.