Doxepin as an adjunct to smoking cessation: a double-blind pilot study

In a double-blind study, 19 adults received bedtime doses of either 150 mg of doxepin hydrochloride (N = 9) or placebo (N = 10). After 3 weeks the subjects were instructed to stop smoking and continue taking medication for 4 additional weeks. Cessation was reported by all nine doxepin subjects 1 week after cessation and by seven doxepin subjects 9 weeks after cessation. One placebo subject reported cessation. Cotinine assays generally confirmed cessation but were subject to interpretation. Doxepin assays suggested that the precessation level was associated with cessation. Further studies with larger samples and extended follow-up are needed to determine the reliability of these results.