Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Varenicline Treatment for Active Alcoholic Smokers
Brief Summary: Alcohol dependence is a significant and prevalent public health problem affecting approximately 4% of the U.S. adult population. Individuals with alcohol dependence actively seek treatment annually, and long-term alcohol abstinence varies from 40-60%. Because of the high smoking prevalence and trends toward heavier smoking, alcoholic smokers are at high risk for both morbidity and mortality related to alcohol consumption and tobacco dependence. Although several studies have evaluated pharmacotherapy for tobacco dependence in recovering alcoholic smokers, few have evaluated pharmacotherapy for tobacco dependence among currently drinking alcoholic smokers.

Varenicline is the most effective medication currently available for treating tobacco dependence. While some randomized trials have included recovering alcoholics, active alcoholism has been an exclusion criteria for these trials. Thus, this proposal would be the first such clinical trial in currently drinking alcoholic smokers. In addition to helping smokers to stop smoking, varenicline has also been shown to reduce alcohol consumption in rats. The goal of this proposal is to explore the potential efficacy of varenicline for treating tobacco dependence and reducing drinking among alcohol dependent smokers.

The investigators hypothesize that 12 weeks of treatment with varenicline, a partial nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist will be more effective than placebo in treating tobacco dependence and reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms in currently drinking alcoholic smokers. The investigators will also explore whether varenicline has an effect on drinking behavior among currently drinking alcoholics. The investigators propose the following specific aims to test these hypotheses in 70 currently drinking alcoholic smokers recruited at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or non-pregnant female cigarette smokers 18-years-of-age or older and reporting smoking at least an average of 10 cigarettes per day for the past year;
2. Subject is alcohol dependence based on DSM IV criteria as assessed by the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and the physician investigator;3
3. Subject is currently drinking alcoholic beverages as assessed by the physician investigator;
4. Subject is a female subject of non-childbearing potential or a female subject of childbearing potential - who is using contraceptives and has a negative pregnancy test result;
5. Subject must be able to complete all the study visits;
6. Subject has the ability to participate fully in all aspects of the study and keep scheduled appointments;
7. Subject must be in good general health as determined by medical history, physical exam and physician investigator;
8. Subject must provide written informed consent to participate in the study;

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Subject is a female who is pregnant, lactating or likely to become pregnant during the trial and not willing to use an acceptable form of contraception during the medication phase, (for women of child-bearing potential, a pregnancy test will be performed prior to entry into the study and at the end of the medication phase);
2. Subject has another household member in study;
3. Known allergy to varenicline;
4. Subject is currently (in previous 30 days) using other behavioral or pharmacologic tobacco cessation program (i.e., behavioral therapy, nicotine replacement therapy, clonidine, varenicline, bupropion SR, nortriptyline or doxepin) and unwilling or unable to discontinue use;
5. Subject has an unstable medical condition as determined by the physician investigator;
6. Subject describes having a medical history of: a) unstable angina; b) myocardial infarction within the past 3 months; c) coronary angioplasty or d) an untreated cardiac dysrhythmia;
7. Subject has a personal history of renal failure or is on renal dialysis;
8. Subject has a current moderate or severe depression as assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression survey (CES-D) and physician investigator;
9. Subject has, as defined by the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS) current non-specific suicidal thoughts, or have a lifetime history of a suicidal attempt (defined as "potentially self-injurious act committed with at least some wish to die, as a result of act");
10. Subject has current (past 30 days) major depressive disorder or has a history of another psychiatric disorder such as psychosis or bipolar disorder;
11. Subject currently uses of other tobacco products (i.e. pipe, cigar, smokeless tobacco) within the past 30 days;
12. Subject currently has cancer \[excluding non melanoma skin cancer\] not in remission (cancer free for 5 years or more);
13. Subject currently has Type 1 diabetes;
14. Subject has untreated hypertension or baseline systolic blood pressure \> 180 or diastolic \> 100;
15. Subject is currently on treatment with another investigational drug (within 30 days of study entry);
B: Inclusion Criteria:

* Stable clinical condition following a recent (\< 10 days) ACS event
* Active smoking status 30-days prior to ACS
* Age \> 21
* Life expectancy \>1 year

Exclusion Criteria:

I. Severe pulmonary disease (FEV1 \< 30% predicted ) II. End stage renal failure (eGFR \< 20 ml/min/m2) III. Uncontrolled depression or history of psychosis or bipolar disorder or active substance abuse IV. Uncontrolled stage IV hypertension V. Un-resolved life threatening arrhythmia VI. Planned surgical intervention (within \< 3 months) VII. Known hypersensitivity to study drug components VIII. Inability to comply with study protocol IX. Active malignancy other than basal cell carcinoma (BCC) X. End-stage congestive heart failure - NYHA IV or decompensated heart failure XI. Pregnancy or lactation
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* The sample, 40 women and 40 men, will be hospitalized patients recruited from Stanford Hospital and Clinics who report smoking at least 10 cigarettes per day prior to hospitalization, have confirmed tobacco use by cotinine testing, and an expected hospitalization of at least 3 days duration from the date of study enrollment. Intention to quit smoking will not be required for study participation.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Study exclusion criteria are: dementia or other brain injury precluding ability to participate; Alzheimer's Disease; Parkinson's Disease; Huntington's Disease; meningitis; seizure disorder of a sustained nature; delirium; brain surgery; drug and/or alcohol dependence; suicidal ideation; end-stage renal disease (i.e., on dialysis); hypertensive crisis; stroke; myocardial infarction (MI) with severe cardiac damage; pregnancy or breastfeeding; non-English speaking; complete homelessness; or currently engaged in tobacco treatment. Study staff will consult with clinical staff prior to approach for study enrollment. In cases of severe renal impairment (estimated creatinine clearance \<30 mL/min), medical staff will consult with participants' physician to assess the appropriateness for study enrollment.
D: Inclusion Criteria:

Age: 18-75 years old

• Smoking 5 or more cigarettes, Little cigars and/or cigarillos per day, on average, within the 2 months preceding the screening visit and expired CO ≥ 6ppm (if ≤ 5, then NicAlert Strip \>2).

* Interested in treatment that might change smoking behavior
* Able to follow verbal and written instructions in English and complete all aspects of the study
* Provide informed consent and agree to all assessments and study procedures
* Have an address and telephone number where they may be reached
* Be the only participant in their household

Exclusion Criteria:

Standard criteria for transdermal nicotine and varenicline smoking cessation trials will be used.

Exclusion criteria will include the following:

* Within the month immediately preceding the screening visit, use of any form of tobacco products other than cigarettes, little cigars and/or cigarillos on 3 or more days within a week if the individual refuses to refrain from such tobacco use during the course of the study.
* Current enrollment or plans to enroll in another smoking cessation program in the next 12 months
* Plan to use other nicotine substitutes (i.e., OTC or prescription medication for smoking cessation) or smoking cessation treatments in the next 12 months
* Uncontrolled hypertension (SBP greater than 180 or DBP greater than 110)
* Reports diagnosis of seizure disorder or a history of neurological illness or closed head injury that in the opinion of the PI feels that it would affect the results of the EEG
* History of severe kidney disease (e.g. chronic or acute kidney failure) with creatinine clearance below 30 and/or severe liver disease with liver tests over 4 times the upper normal level.
* Laboratory evaluations (kidney and liver) outside normal limits and of potential clinical significance in the opinion of the investigator
* Serious or unstable disease within the past 3 months
* History (last 3 months) of abnormal heart rhythms, cardiovascular disease (stroke, angina, heart attack) may result in ineligibility. These conditions will be evaluated on a case by case basis by the Study Physician.
* Current use of certain medications: (1) Smoking cessation meds (last 7 days), i.e., Wellbutrin, Bupropion, Zyban, NRT, Chantix, (2) Certain medications to treat depression (last 14 days), i.e.

MAOIs and Elavil (Amitriptyline), (3) A case by case determination will be made by study physician for medication on precautionary list, i.e. nitroglycerin, or (4) Daily use of opioids for 30 days or more on phone screen or at screening is exclusionary however PRN use is allowed (i.e., 3:7 days per week or less or if more frequent, use less than a month's duration.) --Meet criteria for the following psychiatric and/or substance use disorders as assessed by the MINI: items C (current manic or hypomanic episode only), I (alcohol abuse - Alcohol Addendum-past 6 months only; current alcohol dependence), J (substance abuse - Substance Abuse Addendum - past 6 months only; current substance dependence), K (current/lifetime psychotic disorder or current/lifetime mood disorder with psychotic features).

* Individuals who meet criteria for non-exclusionary psychiatric disorders that are considered clinically unstable and/or unsuitable to participate as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician.

  * Individuals rated as moderate (9-16) to high (17 or greater) on suicidality as assessed by Module B of the MINI. --Psychiatric hospitalization within 1 year of screening date. --A positive urine pregnancy test during the screening period. Women who are two years postmenopausal, or who have had a tubal ligation or a partial or full hysterectomy will not be subject to a urine pregnancy test. --Pregnant, breast-feeding or of childbearing potential and is not protected by a medically acceptable, effective method of birth control while enrolled in the study. Medically acceptable contraceptives include: (1) approved hormonal contraceptives (such as birth control pills, patches, implants or injections), (2) barrier methods (such as a condom or diaphragm) used with a spermicide, or (3) an intrauterine device (IUD). Contraceptive measures sold for emergency use after unprotected sex are not acceptable methods for routine use. --History of hypersensitivity or allergic reaction to Varenicline, NRT, or any component of these formulations . --Any medical or psychiatric condition, illness, disorder, or concomitant medication that could compromise participant safety or treatment, as determined by the Principal Investigator and/or Study Physician.

    * Subject considered by the investigator as unsuitable candidate for receipt of an investigational drug, or unstable to be followed up throughout the entire duration of the study.
    * Positive toxicology screen for any of the following drugs: cocaine, opiates, methadone, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, amphetamines, methamphetamines, PCP, or THC.

      * A. Participants with valid prescriptions for opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, amphetamines or methadone will not be excluded. B. Participants failing the toxicology screen will be allowed to re-screen once. If they test positive again, they will not be allowed to return.
    * Must not have visual problems that in the investigators opinion would interfere in the completion of the study assessments
    * Unwilling to change hairstyle or remove a wig as necessary for the appointment to accommodate the net that is required to be worn on the scalp during the study procedure.

Answer: A