PR Newswire -- July 28, 2008
PITTSBURGH, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- New data published today in the August issue of Thorax shows no significant differences in 6-month and 1-year quit rates between the NicoDerm(R) CQ(R) Clear Patch and Chantix (varenicline tartrate) despite statistically higher quit rates for Chantix (varenicline tartrate) at 12 weeks. According to the official
2008 U.S. Public Health Service Guideline, longer-term quit rates at the 6-month milestone are the most predictive of long-term success.

The Thorax paper, entitled, "Varenicline versus transdermal nicotine patch for smoking cessation: results from a randomised open-label trial", reports on a 52-week study that is the first-ever direct comparison of the NicoDerm CQ Clear Patch to Chantix (varenicline tartrate). The study was conducted using an "open-label" design, meaning that subjects knew what medication they were taking. Though this design may have favored the new pill, Chantix (varenicline
tartrate) did not demonstrate long-term superiority to NicoDerm CQ.

"This study confirms that there is no magic bullet when it comes to smoking cessation and that both therapeutic nicotine and Chantix (varenicline tartrate) demonstrate long-term effectiveness," stated Dr.
Howard Marsh, vice president of Worldwide Medical Affairs for GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare. "There is also no single approach that will work for everyone. For example, a substantial proportion of quit attempts are made spontaneously, without much planning.
Therapeutic nicotine is widely available without the need for a prescription or a visit to a doctor's office."

Each smoking cessation medicine has been proven effective. In separate double blind placebo-controlled studies for NicoDerm CQ and Chantix (varenicline tartrate), NicoDerm CQ patch had a 45 percent success rate (vs. 18 percent for placebo) at the end of 10-week treatment and Chantix (varenicline tartrate) had a success rate of 44 percent (vs. 18 percent for placebo) at the end of 12-week treatment.

In fact, the recently updated 2008 U.S. Public Health Service Guideline recommends these products as well as Commit(R) lozenge and Nicorette(R) gum as first-line therapy for quitting, as they significantly increase rates of long-term smoking abstinence.

Dr. Howard Marsh continued, "The aim of all quitters is to quit for good, so although short-term quit rates are useful indicators of efficacy, long-term abstinence will prolong improved health. These results confirm that NicoDerm CQ patch enables a significant proportion of patients to quit for a year."

Over-the-counter therapeutic nicotine products like NicoDerm CQ patch, Nicorette gum and Commit lozenge are first-line treatments for smoking cessation and are thoroughly researched, well-understood and highly accessible stop smoking therapies. Unfortunately, the majority of smokers try to quit with no assistance at all and only 3-5 percent of smokers who quit "cold turkey" are successful long-term.

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's family of over-the-counter therapeutic nicotine products, NicoDerm CQ patch, Nicorette gum and Commit lozenge have helped more than six million smokers around the world quit successfully. Of these smokers, over three million have successfully quit smoking specifically with the help of the NicoDerm CQ patch.

Consistent with their FDA-approved labeling, the GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's therapeutic nicotine products help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting smoking. Therapeutic nicotine products are designed to allow smokers to wean off nicotine gradually and safely.
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's therapeutic nicotine products are available without a doctor's prescription, in flexible dosing options at over 35,000 retail outlets across the country. So a smoker who wants to quit doesn't have to wait to see a doctor to get help.