Pharmacopsychiatry 2014; 47(02): 73-78
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1371867
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Influence of 8 and 16 mg Nicotine Patches on Sleep in Healthy Non-Smokers

Authors

  • A. Jaehne

    1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
  • T. Unbehaun

    1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
  • B. Feige

    1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
  • S. Herr

    1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
  • A. Appel

    1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
  • D. Riemann

    1   Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
Weitere Informationen

Publikationsverlauf

received 15. September 2013
revised 12. Februar 2014

accepted 19. Februar 2014

Publikationsdatum:
31. März 2014 (online)

Preview

Abstract

Aim and Methods:

The purpose of this study was to determine whether sleep changes are a consequence of nicotine presence or withdrawal during the night, we examined 66 healthy non-smokers (33 males, 33 females, age: 20–25 years) after an adaptation night in a sleep laboratory setting. Subjects were randomized to receive placebo or either 8 or 16 mg nicotine patches during the day or during the night in a double blind, parallel group design.

Results:

The 16 mg nicotine patch applied during the night caused a reduced sleep period time and sleep efficiency as well as an increased wake time. A reduced REM-sleep latency and subjective sleep quality rating were found in subjects receiving nicotine during the night. Arousals, apneas and periodic leg movements were not affected by nicotine.

Discussion:

This study documents insomnia-like sleep changes in healthy non-smokers caused by nicotine in a dose-dependent manner. There was no evidence for sleep-related withdrawal symptoms after 13 h of nicotine application.