Smoking cessation agents

What are Smoking cessation agents?

Smoking cessation agents are medicines used to assist in quitting smoking. There are a few types of agents that can be used.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products deliver nicotine systemically and reduce the urge to smoke. These products are available as nicotine patches, gums, lozenges or inhalers.

Other smoking cessation agents work in the brain to either decrease the urge to smoke or to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Smoking cessation agents are medicines used to assist in quitting smoking. There are a few types of agents that can be used. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products deliver nicotine systemically and reduce the urge to smoke. These products are available as nicotine patches, gums, lozenges or inhalers.

They work in different ways. All have been shown to be safe and effective for adults who smoke cigarettes. These quit-smoking medicines include nicotine replacement medicines (the nicotine patch, lozenge, gum, oral inhaler, and nasal spray) and pill medicines (varenicline and bupropion SR).

The Smoking Cessation Service offers patients ongoing consultations that will include the provision of behavioural support, as well as the supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT). This service must be provided by an appropriately trained pharmacist.

Pharmacotherapy can help smokers quit. The most effective first-line treatments are NRT and bupropion. NRT works by progressively reducing the nicotine intake by the patient, which eventually ends in habit cessation.