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Table 3 Adverse events by treatment condition

From: Flexible, dual-form nicotine replacement therapy or varenicline in comparison with nicotine patch for smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial

Adverse event

Treatment group n (%)

 
 

NRT

NRT+

VR

P

Cardiovascular (e.g., palpitations, tachycardia, chest pain)

5 (2.0)

3 (1.2)

3 (1.2)

0.687

Digestive (e.g., indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence)

48 (19.6)

64 (26.1)

139 (56.3)

<0.001a

Muscular (e.g., hypertonia, join, neck or jaw pain)

7 (2.9)

5 (2.0)

4 (1.6)

0.632

Nervous system (e.g., dizziness, light headedness, tingling fingers)

24 (9.8)

27 (11.0)

31 (12.6)

0.622

Psychiatric (e.g., anxious, disturbed concentration, suicidal ideation)

12 (4.9)

9 (3.7)

18 (7.3)

0.267

Sleep (e.g., abnormal dreams, insomnia, sleep disturbance)

92 (37.6)

115 (46.9)

149 (60.3)

<0.001a

Fatigue (e.g., drowsy, lethargic)

9 (3.7)

19 (7.8)

43 (17.4)

<0.001a

Metabolic (e.g., increased appetite, taste perversion)

13 (5.3)

14 (5.7)

23 (9.3)

0.151

Respiratory (e.g., coughing, congestion, shortness of breath)

6 (2.4)

9 (3.7)

10 (4.0)

0.592

Skin (e.g., rash, itchiness, dry skin, redness)

94 (38.4)

81 (33.1)

12 (4.9)

<0.001a

Other (e.g., eyes difficult to focus, hot flashes, low sex drive)

21 (8.6)

19 (7.8)

48 (19.4)

<0.001a

  1. NRT, standard dose, nicotine replacement therapy; NRT+, flexible, dual-form nicotine replacement therapy; VR, varenicline
  2. aStatistically significant