Title:Ameliorating Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) on Nicotine
Dependence and Quality of Life in Smokers
Volume: 22
Issue: 8
Author(s): Kusnandar Anggadiredja*, Lia Amalia and Fahmy Ahsanul Haq
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Bandung Institute of Technology, Bandung,
Indonesia
Keywords:
Virgin coconut oil, nicotine dependence, fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence, quality of life, smokers.
Abstract:
Background: Safer and effective alternatives to manage nicotine dependence are still
required. Preliminary studies have shown the potential of virgin coconut oil (VCO) to be used in
dependence treatment.
Objective: To assess the VCO effect administered for 14 days on nicotine dependence and quality of life.
Methods: Forty smoking subjects participated in an open-label, single-center, pre/post-intervention
study, and were required to take 15 ml VCO twice daily for 14 days. They were evaluated with the
Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) for nicotine dependence intensity and EuroQolvisual
analogue scales (EQ VAS) for quality of life.
Results: The VCO regimen improved FTND (0.53 points decrease, p<0.05) and EQ-VAS (5.85 points
increase p<0.01) scores. Adverse events were all mild.
Conclusion: Results of the present study suggest that VCO has the potential to be a safe and effective
adjunct therapy for the management of nicotine dependence.