Tailoring Smoking Cessation Pharmacotherapy
Author Information
Author(s): Bader P, McDonald P, Selby P
Primary Institution: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Hypothesis
Can decision rules be developed to guide clinicians in prescribing pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation?
Conclusion
An algorithm and guide were developed to assist clinicians in prescribing pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation.
Supporting Evidence
- Pharmacotherapy generally doubles the odds of quitting successfully.
- Combining pharmacotherapy and psychosocial treatments increases quit rates.
- A Cochrane review concluded that all types of NRT increased the odds of quitting by approximately one-and-a-half to twofold.
- Bupropion and nortriptyline were found to double the odds of cessation when prescribed as monotherapy.
- Varenicline has demonstrated therapeutic superiority over existing first-line medications.
Takeaway
Doctors can use a new guide to help smokers choose the best medicine to quit smoking, based on their needs and experiences.
Methodology
A Delphi approach was used to build consensus among a panel of 37 international experts through three rounds of questionnaires.
Potential Biases
Potential conflicts of interest were present among panelists, but did not appear to affect recommendations.
Limitations
Not all panelists had equal access to the range of pharmacotherapy reviewed, and the study may need updates due to recent safety concerns regarding varenicline.
Participant Demographics
The panel comprised health practitioners and researchers from 13 countries, with 29 males and 8 females.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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