Smoking Cessation Flashcards
True or false: if you set the stage for a smoker to quit and they dont quit immediately, then it was a failure
false
if you dont get them to quit right now, but you set the stage to eventually quit, that is still a huge success
What is the best method to quit smoking?
there is no best method
simply trying something is likely close enough
What are patches often combined with?
a second form of NRT
-often a good move
True or false: with NRT cessation products we can be flexible with dosing
true
Where do the real issues lie with smoking?
behavioural aspects of smoking
What is the average number of cigarettes smoked per day among daily smokers in Saskatchewan?
13
What is the approximate age when people start smoking cigarettes in the USA and Europe?
15
List three points about the average smoker.
24 years old
smoke 14 cigs per day
lights up a cig within 30min of waking
How much are your chances of quitting smoking reduced if you light up after waking?
40%
What is a tendency that occurs with smokers trying to cut back on the number of cigs?
tend to take longer drags and hold the smoker longer
True or false: health warnings on the boxes of cigarettes have not been overly effective
true
Describe the physical aspects of addiction.
mood-altering effects
instant reinforcement
nicotine causes dopamine release
Describe the social aspects of addiction.
ritual of smoking
morning coffee
after meals
cigarette breaks
bar/friends
How many days into quitting tend to be the toughest?
2 days in
-irritability
-depressed
-anxiety
-difficulty concentrating
What is the average amount of weight gained during smoking cessation?
~5kg most within first 3 months)
What is the impact of nicotine on metabolism?
increases catecholamines
aromatic hydrocarbons impact metabolism
-enzyme induction: 1A1, 1A2, 2E1
-blood levels of certain drugs drop
What is the clinical implication of smoking on drug metabolism?
in general, minimal impact on drug therapy
-psychotropic agents
-methadone
-some oncology agents
can fax the MD regarding a change
What is the most common strategy that is done for quitting smoking?
cold turkey
What is the counseling service provided by Canadian Cancer Society to aid in quitting smoking?
Smokers Helpline
True or false: as pharmacists, we are well equipped to provide counseling on the behavioural aspects of smoking addiction
false
Are gimmicks an okay method of quitting smoking?
if they act as a crutch, great!
Are vapes a good method for quitting smoking?
not really
vapes provided fast release of nicotine which is not ideal a
Describe the two historical methods of quitting smoking.
lobelia plant:
-nicotine like substance
-was added to gums, lozenges, etc
silver acetate
-when you smoke it leads to bitter taste
-added to mouth wash and lozenges
True or false: if you dont have time to talk to a patient, you should tell them to keep and read the package inserts of nicotine products
true
What are the brands of nicotine gum?
Nicorette
Thrive
What are nicotine gums designed to do?
give enough nicotine to take the edge off
slow release process
How is nicotine gum absorbed?
buccal route (lag time)
-lag time makes it unideal for prn use
How is the release rate of nicotine gum controlled?
chewing
-chew a few moments until peppery taste
-then a cycle of bite, bite, park for up to 30min
What is the effect of coffee and acidic drinks on nicotine gum?
less nicotine absorbed
-not a huge worry, just adjust
-have gum before coffee break
What is the indication on the nicotine gum packages for the 2mg and 4mg strengths?
2mg: < than 25 cigs/day
4mg: > than 25 cigs/day
Is it a huge worry if you guess the wrong dose of a nicotine gum?
no, the smoker can adjust
What are the two approaches to the use of nicotine gum?
PRN use
-use whenever urge hits
-always playing catch up
scheduled
-defuses the next urge
What are the side effects of nicotine gum?
throat irritation
burping/hiccups
jaw fatigue
nausea (esp with faster chewing)
Can you smoke while using a nicotine gum?
you can but we would rather not
How much nicotine is delivered with a patch?
21mg over 24hrs
Do patches provide burst levels of nicotine or baseline levels of nicotine?
baseline levels