Zonisamide/Bupropion Effects on Switching to Electronic Cigarettes

Phase 3

Completed

Conditions: Smoking Cessation

Interventions: Drug: Zonisamide
Drug: Bupropion
Other: Halo G6 e-cigarette

Registration Number: NCT04388319

Lead Sponsor: Rose Research Center, LLC

Brief Summary: This single-group, small-scale, open-label study (N= 25 to 50) will evaluate the impact of combination zonisamide and bupropion on the process of switching from combustible cigarettes (CC) to an e-cigarette. There will be a data collection period of at least five days to obtain baseline data on use of combustible cigarettes. Participants enrolled in the study will receive a G6 e-cigarette at V2 for ad libitum use. After the first week of e-cigarette use, (at V3) participants will be given zonisamide (100 mg/daily) and will begin extended-release bupropion dosing (150 mg each morning days 1-3, then 300 mg/daily) in addition to continued use of the G6. At each visit, participants will receive enough zonisamide, bupropion, and Halo G6 cartomizers to last until their next study visit. Halo G6 and combination zonisamide and bupropion use will continue until the participant returns for the End-of-Study visit (V7).

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 26

Inclusion Criteria

Has signed the ICF and is able to read and understand the information provided in the ICF.
Is 21 to 65 years of age (inclusive) at screening.
Smokes at least 10 commercially available cigarettes per day (no brand restrictions), for the last 12 months.
Has an expired air CO reading of at least 10 ppm at screening.
Interested in switching to an electronic cigarette.
Willing and able to comply with the requirements of the study.
Owns a smart phone with text message and data capabilities compatible with necessary surveys.

Exclusion Criteria

Is unhealthy or cannot participate in the study for any reason (e.g., medical, psychiatric, and/or social reason) as judged by the Investigator or designated medical staff based on all available assessments from the screening period (e.g., safety laboratory, vital signs, physical examination, ECG, concomitant medications and medical history).
PHQ-9 score greater than 9, or a score greater than 0 on item #9 ("Thoughts that you would be better off dead, or of hurting yourself in some way") at screening.
Planned use of an FDA-approved smoking cessation product during the study.
High blood pressure (systolic > 150 mmHg or diastolic >95 mmHg) at screening.
Body mass index (BMI) less than 15.0 kg/m2 or greater than 40.0 kg/m2.
Coronary heart disease, structural cardiac disease (including, but not limited to valvular heart disease or cardiac murmurs), cardiac dysrhythmias, syncope, cardiac chest pain, or history of heart attack or heart failure.
Has received psychotherapy or behavioral treatments potentially impacting symptoms of depression, anxiety, or nicotine withdrawal within 30 days of screening, or during the study.
Taking antidepressants, psychoactive medications (e.g. antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, hypnotics) or medications that prolong QTc.
Use of any of these products in the past 30 days:
1. Illegal drugs (or if the urine drug screen is positive for cocaine, THC, amphetamines, methamphetamines, or opiates);
2. Experimental (investigational) drugs that are unknown to participant;
3. Chronic opiate use.
Use of smokeless tobacco (chewing tobacco, snuff), cigars (except for "Black & Mild" cigars or Cigarillos), pipes, hookah, e-cigarettes, nicotine replacement therapy or other smoking cessation treatments within 14 days of screening.
Pregnant or nursing (by self-report) or has a positive pregnancy test.
Enrollment requirements met.

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Combination zonisamide and bupropion with e-cigarette	Halo G6 e-cigarette	Participants enrolled in the study will receive a G6 e-cigarette at V2 for ad libitum use. After the first week of e-cigarette use, (at V3) participants will be given zonisamide and bupropion in addition to continued use of the G6. Use of these study drugs will continue for 12- weeks with a target complete switch date (from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes) one week after study drug initiation.
Combination zonisamide and bupropion with e-cigarette	Zonisamide	Participants enrolled in the study will receive a G6 e-cigarette at V2 for ad libitum use. After the first week of e-cigarette use, (at V3) participants will be given zonisamide and bupropion in addition to continued use of the G6. Use of these study drugs will continue for 12- weeks with a target complete switch date (from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes) one week after study drug initiation.
Combination zonisamide and bupropion with e-cigarette	Bupropion	Participants enrolled in the study will receive a G6 e-cigarette at V2 for ad libitum use. After the first week of e-cigarette use, (at V3) participants will be given zonisamide and bupropion in addition to continued use of the G6. Use of these study drugs will continue for 12- weeks with a target complete switch date (from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes) one week after study drug initiation.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Number of Participants That Completely Switched From Combustible Cigarettes to Halo G6 E-Cigarettes	Weeks 8-11 post-quit date (weeks 10-13 post baseline)	Defined as self-report of no cigarette smoking (not even a puff), confirmed by an expired air CO reading of less than 5 ppm.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Change in Rewarding Effects of Smoking Combustible Cigarettes	First week compared to after start of study drugs (Weeks 2-13 post baseline)	Characterize changes in the two primary scales of the Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ), assessing smoking satisfaction and psychological reward, compared between cigarettes smoked after meals versus all others smoked during the day, examining how this difference changes after zonisamide/bupropion usage. The mCEQ uses a 7-point scale (0=Not at all; 1=Very little; 2=A little; 3=Moderately; 4=A lot, 5=Quite a lot; 6=Extremely) to measure the following subscales: Satisfaction, Psychological Reward, Enjoyment of Respiratory Tract Sensations, Craving Reduction, Aversion.
Point Abstinence From Combustible Cigarettes	Six months post switch day (approximately 6 months post baseline)	Assessed by self-report utilizing an automated SMS messaging system.