Smoking, Alcohol & Substance misuse

Question 1

Smoking Cessation - 1

OFFERED THROUGH SMOKING CESSATION SERVICES

Question 2

Smoking Cessation - 2

Answer 2

PRINCIPLES:
✓ Advise patients wanting to quit smoking about withdrawal symptoms and discuss ways to avoid relapse and manage cravings.
✓ NRT should not be prescribed alongside Bupropion or Varenicline.
✓ Bupropion and Varenicline should not be co-prescribed alongside each other.
✓ Combination NRT such as transdermal patch and a faster acting option like a lozenge is thought to help with ‘breakthrough’ urges to smoke.
✓ Varenicline or combination NRT (patch plus short-acting preparation) have been shown to be the most effective treatments. Choice of drug treatment should consider the patient’s previous smoking cessation attempts, patient preference and possible interactions, side effects and contraindications.