Publications by authors named "Rukshar K Gobarani"

Importance: Varenicline is the most effective sole pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation. If used in combination with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), cessation rates may be further improved, but the efficacy and safety of the combination need to be evaluated.

Objective: To examine whether hospitalized smokers treated with varenicline and NRT lozenges achieve higher prolonged smoking abstinence rates compared with those treated with varenicline alone.

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Background: Understanding smoking behaviors in hospital patients who smoke may improve inpatient cessation treatments. This study aimed to describe smoking-related behaviors, past-quit attempts, and self-reported difficulties experienced in quitting among those who enrolled in a smoking cessation trial of varenicline.

Methods: Baseline data were obtained from adult hospitalized smokers (average ≥ 10 cigarettes/day in 4-weeks prior to hospitalization) who enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of varenicline ± nicotine lozenges at five Australian public hospitals.

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Varenicline is an effective monotherapy for smoking cessation, but adherence is often suboptimal. This qualitative study explored the experiences of varenicline treatment among participants enrolled in a randomized controlled trial, who self-reported being adherent or nonadherent to varenicline treatment (n = 15). Individual interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide.

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Background And Aims: In Australia, patterns of use of smoking cessation medications and factors associated with their dispensing are currently not known. This study aimed to measure the demographic and clinical factors associated with varenicline dispensing compared with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion among first-time users of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsidised smoking cessation medicines in Australia and to characterise those who discontinued varenicline treatment prematurely.

Design: Retrospective, population-based study.

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Background: GPs have limited capacity to routinely provide smoking cessation support. New strategies are needed to reach all smokers within this setting.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of a pharmacist-coordinated interdisciplinary smoking cessation intervention delivered in Australian general practice.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The study aims to test the effectiveness and safety of combining varenicline with nicotine replacement therapy lozenges against varenicline alone in helping hospitalized smokers quit.
  • * This multicenter trial will randomly assign participants to either the combination therapy or a placebo, with follow-ups at various intervals to measure prolonged abstinence and other outcomes, adhering to strict ethical guidelines.
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