Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation

Ther Adv Respir Dis. 2008 Oct;2(5):301-17. doi: 10.1177/1753465808096136.

Abstract

Tobacco dependence is a chronic relapsing disease that needs continuous treatment. In combination with behavioural support, pharmacotherapy is a proven key component for supporting smoking cessation. Effective drugs are available and recommended: nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and varenicline. Much research into new pharmacological approaches is ongoing, combining 'old' and 'new' drugs and personalizing a pharmacological treatment for a single smoker/patient; other new medications and vaccines are in development. Overall, pharmacotherapy seems to have efficacy and cost-effectiveness in real life, thus physicians should become familiar with these medicines. Further efforts should be aimed at optimizing treatment management and increasing smoking cessation rates in the general population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / pharmacology
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use
  • Benzazepines / pharmacology
  • Benzazepines / therapeutic use
  • Bupropion / pharmacology
  • Bupropion / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Nortriptyline / pharmacology
  • Nortriptyline / therapeutic use
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Piperidines / therapeutic use
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrazoles / therapeutic use
  • Quinoxalines / pharmacology
  • Quinoxalines / therapeutic use
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Rimonabant
  • Smoking Cessation / methods*
  • Smoking Cessation / statistics & numerical data
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Varenicline

Substances

  • Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors
  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Benzazepines
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Quinoxalines
  • Bupropion
  • Nortriptyline
  • Rimonabant
  • Varenicline