Treatment Option for Adolescents to End E-cigarette Use
In a significant development, a new study published in the June 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association has shown promising results for a medicine called Varenicline in helping young people quit vaping.
The research, which recruited volunteers aged 16 to 25 who vaped five or more days each week for the past three months, was conducted with a small group of 88 teens and young adults. The participants were given Varenicline, a drug that binds to nicotine receptors in the brain and is usually taken as a twice-a-day pill outside of school hours.
The study's findings are particularly noteworthy given that last year, a survey found that approximately 1.2 million U.S. high school students had vaped in the past 30 days, with almost a third of them vaping daily.
In the group that had received Varenicline, 28 percent continued to not vape by the end of the three-month study period. This is in comparison to only 14 percent of the 87 young people who took a placebo drug and received support. The participants also received text messages offering counseling and support throughout the study.
By the last month of treatment, nearly half of the participants had been able to stop vaping. The team checked in with study participants monthly for three months after their treatment ended, and the positive results were maintained.
Varenicline, sold under the brand name Chantix, has been known to help adults stop smoking and may now provide a potential solution for young vape users. However, it's important to note that while e-cigarettes can help smokers quit traditional smoking better than nicotine patches, there is no conclusive evidence on specific medicines for nicotine dependence treatment among young vape users.
Adolescence is a crucial time for brain development, and nicotine can disrupt those vital changes, making teens especially vulnerable to becoming addicted to such a drug. For this reason, healthcare professionals like Dr. McGee, who works with teenage patients, approach the issue of vaping cessation with caution and a comprehensive plan.
Dr. McGee screens patients for anxiety and depression and makes a plan to help with those conditions if necessary. She also helps patients work out plans to quit vaping, which can include counseling, support through text messages, and medication like Varenicline.
While this study provides a promising step forward, more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects of Varenicline on young vape users and to identify specific new medicines tailored to this demographic. Nonetheless, the findings offer a glimmer of hope for parents and healthcare providers seeking effective ways to help young people quit vaping.
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