Pharmacotherapy: Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Other Drugs in Smoking Cessation (Including Vaccination)

Abstract

The basic principles in quitting smoking are to set a target quit day and try to cut down to zero cigarettes in a few weeks - but best at target quit day - and then use one of the primary drugs for smoking cessation for 2-3 months. In this period, the ex-smoker has to break the psychological addiction as well as the nicotine dependence. Using one of the primary drugs reduces the withdrawal symptoms. Any support will increase quit rate and counselling should be used in combination with one of the primary drugs, i.e. varenicline, nicotine replacement treatment (NRT) and bupropion SR. Varenicline and the combination of two NRT formulations is equally effective, while varenicline is more effective than either single NRT or bupropion SR. NRTs are especially safe. All three drugs have also been shown to be especially effective in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in patients with cardiovascular disorders; the main reason for the larger effect in this subgroup is the low quit rate among placebo-treated subjects. There is extensive and solid scientific proof that underlines the efficacy of these three primary drugs in smoking cessation as well as the very high cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation. Vaccines against nicotine have not been effective until now.