As in the study by Koegelenberg et

As in the study by Koegelenberg et al, varenicline treatment began 1 week before the target quit day, whereas nicotine patch treatment started 2 weeks before the target quit day. Active varenicline treatment lasted 12 weeks or 24 weeks and nicotine patch treatment lasted 14 weeks or 26 weeks due to the different medication start and stop times. To mask treatment assignment, all participants were given 24 weeks of varenicline pills and 26 weeks of nicotine patches (active and placebo medications). Varenicline treatment started with one 0.5-mg varenicline pill for 3 days, two 0.5-mg pills for 4 days, and two 1-mg pills thereafter (to either week 11 or week 23). Active nicotine patch use started in week −2 and involved use of one 14-mg patch/d until either 12 weeks or 24 weeks after the target quit day. Placebo products had the same use instructions as the respective active products (eTable 1 inSupplement 2).