Baker TB, Piper ME, Smith SS, et al. - Use of combined varenicline plus nicotine patch vs varenicline monotherapy or of 24-week vs 12-week treatment for smoking cessation is not supported by this study’s findings.

• This randomized clinical trial of 1,251 participants smoking 5 cigarettes/d or more was conducted to compare combinations of varenicline plus the nicotine or placebo patch vs combinations used for either 12 weeks (standard duration) or 24 weeks (extended duration).

• At 52 weeks, 7-day point prevalence abstinence rates were 25.1%, 23.6%, 24.4%, and 25.1% with varenicline monotherapy for 12 weeks, varenicline plus nicotine patch for 12 weeks, varenicline monotherapy for 24 weeks, and varenicline plus nicotine patch for 24 weeks, respectively.

• None of the comparisons was statistically significant.