| Pharmacological product | Typical formulation and dosage | Availability | Comments |
|---|
| Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) consists of nicotine-containing products designed to deliver nicotine to the body in a form that does not involve smoking or ingestion of other toxins. |
There are several different forms including, 16-hour or 24-hour transdermal patches, 2 mg or 4 mg chewing gum, 1 mg, 1.5 mg, 2 mg, or 4 mg nicotine lozenges, 2 mg sublingual tablet, nasal spray, inhalator, buccal pouch, and mouth spray. |
Availability varies across Europe, but typically these are sold over the counter or are available by medical prescription. |
- There is evidence that combining medications (long- and short-acting, such as the nicotine patch and gum) is more effective than single nicotine replacement therapies.
- Most of the trials with medications have included some sort of behavioural support.
- It is best to get advice about how to quit and avoid relapse.
- Behavioural support advice can be delivered face-to-face or through channels such as the telephone, the mobile telephone texting system, or the Internet.
- Behavioural support can be effective when delivered through all these avenues provided it follows a clear evidence-based structure.
- Most of the face-to-face support that has been shown to be effective consisted of intensive support delivered by a trained professional and comprising several group or individual sessions.
- There is some evidence to suggest that groups are more effective than individual support.
|
| Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant. |
A typical course is 300 mg per day for 7–8 weeks, beginning 1 week before the designated quit date. |
Bupropion is available by medical prescription in most European countries. |
| Varenicline is a medication known as a partial agonist. |
A typical course of treatment is 1 mg per day, beginning 1 week before the designated quit date, and then 2 mg per day for 11 weeks. |
Varenicline is available by medical prescription in most European countries. |
| Cytisine is also a partial agonist. |
A typical course of treatment is 4 weeks, beginning 1 week before the designated quit date, with a dosing regimen that reduces over time. |
Currently, cytisine is only licensed in a few countries in central and eastern Europe, where it is available over the counter or by medical prescription. Use in western Europe is expected in the future as applications have been introduced to license the product in other countries, including the United Kingdom. |
