Abstract
The authors observed the effect of transdermally administered nicotine on the drug craving of 15 patients with nicotine dependence and recent cocaine abuse. Transdermal nicotine and placebo patches were applied in a crossover, double-blind design, and outcome was assessed by visual analog scales to measure drug craving. Nicotine patches significantly reduced craving for cigarettes without affecting cigarette use. There was a nonsignificant trend for nicotine patches to reduce cocaine craving more than placebo patches.