A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of oral selegiline hydrochloride for smoking cessation in nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers.

Aim: The primary aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of the monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitor selegiline hydrochloride (SEL, l-Deprenyl; Eldepryl) as an aid for smoking cessation in cigarette smokers.

Methods: One hundred and one nicotine-dependent adult cigarette smokers without current psychiatric or substance use disorders participated in this 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Participants received either SEL (5mg bid, n=51) or placebo (PLO, n=50), in combination with brief (<10 min) manualized smoking cessation counseling. The main smoking outcome measures were 7-day point prevalence abstinence at end of trial (EOT), 4-week continuous smoking abstinence at end of trial (CA), and 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 6-month follow-up (6MFU). Abstinence was determined by an absence of self-reported cigarette smoking and biochemically verified by expired breath carbon monoxide and plasma cotinine levels.

Results: Rates of smoking abstinence did not differ by medication group (EOT: SEL=16%, PLO=20%, p=0.57; CA: SEL=14%, PLO=18%, p=0.56; 6MFU: SEL=12%, PLO=16%, p=0.54). Adverse events were modest and comparable between medication groups. Participants receiving SEL were more likely than those receiving PLO to report dry mouth (25.5% versus 8.2%, p<0.05).

Conclusions: Our results suggest that SEL was safe and well-tolerated by adult cigarette smokers, but did not improve smoking abstinence rates compared to PLO.