Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation.
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.
Carrozzi
Laura
L
Cardio-Thoracic Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. carrozzl@ifc.cnr.it
Pistelli
Francesco
F
Viegi
Giovanni
G
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016642:Bupropion / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D009661:Nortriptyline / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000077285:Rimonabant; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000068580:Varenicline
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D001552:Benzazepines; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011810:Quinoxalines; D016642:Bupropion; D009661:Nortriptyline; D000077285:Rimonabant; D000068580:Varenicline