Resource Center: pharmacology

This article describes the importance of private insurance and Medicaid coverage of tobacco cessation services.

NRT aims to reduce withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping smoking by replacing the nicotine from cigarettes. NRT is available as skin patches that deliver nicotine slowly, and chewing gum, nasal spray, inhalers, and lozenges/tablets, all of which deliver nicotine to the brain more quickly than from skin patches, but less rapidly than from smoking cigarettes. This review includes 132 trials of NRT, with over 40,000 people in the main analysis. It found evidence that all forms of NRT made it more likely that a person's attempt to quit smoking would succeed. The chances of stopping smoking were increased by 50 to 70%. Most of the studies were performed in people smoking more than 15 cigarettes a day. What limited evidence there is suggests no overall difference in effectiveness of different forms of NRT nor a benefit for using patches beyond 8 weeks. NRT works with or without additional counselling, and does not need to be prescribed by a doctor. Heavier smokers may need higher doses of NRT. People who use NRT during a quit attempt are likely to further increase their chance of success by using a combination of the nicotine patch and a faster acting form. Preliminary data suggests that starting to use NRT shortly before the planned quit date may increase the chance of success. Adverse effects from using NRT are related to the type of product, and include skin irritation from patches and irritation to the inside of the mouth from gum and tablets. There is no evidence that NRT increases the risk of heart attacks. (From their website)

This article is an intervention review. It reviews behavioral and pharmacological interventions for helping users quit smokeless tobacco.

Allows patients and treatment communities to search for local physicians and recovery programs that are authorized to prescribe and dispense opioid addiction treatment.

A collection of journal articles examining different aspects of pharmacotherapy of tobacco cessation.

Monograph 2: Smokeless Tobacco or Health: An International Perspective covers Epidemiology, Clinical and Pathological Effects, Carcinogenesis, Nicotine Effects and Addiction, Prevention, Cessation, and Policy.

A chart detailing precautions and dosing of several nicotine replacement therapy formulations, including gum, lozenge, transdermal patch, nasal spray, and oral inhaler.

Contains information on different forms of nicotine replacement therapy, such as the nicotine patch, gum, lozenge, inhalers, and nasal sprays

Dr. Book talks about alcohol treatment with the dual delivery of medication and therapy.