Smoking Cessation Flashcards
What we hope to do as pharmacists?
If you help a person quit smoking, way to go, you just added years to their life
If you don’t get them to quit right now, but you set the stage to eventually quit, that is still a huge success
Don’t get bogged down trying to get the ‘best’ method; simply trying something is likely close enough
What is a good move? What is hard about quitting?
You will see that combining a patch with a second form of NRT is often agood move
Pharmacists are sticklers for following the rules. But in the case of NRT cessation products, we can be flexible with dosing
Starting them on a product is just a small part of the equation. The behavioral aspects of smoking (and quitting) is where the real issues lie
Does smoking impact other meds?
Starting to smoke, or quitting, generally has little impact other medicines the person may be using (a few exceptions)
Is cultural tobacco connecected with addiction?
NO, tobacco use today, including inhaling has no connection with First Nations.
Aveerage SMoker Stats
- 24 years old, 14 cigs per day, lights up within 30 mins of waking
Why is lighting up 30 mins before wakening bad?
- Reduce the chances of quitting by 40%
Can one smoke on the patch?
People can smoke on the patch, if drop them down from 15 cigs to 7 cigs
SUCCESS (would rather have them not smoke on the patch)
Smokers trying to cut back tend to…..
Smokers trying to cut back on the number of cigs tend to take longer drags and hold the smoke longer
Squeeze the filter, more smoke gets in
Are smoking warnings effective?
No - Only one that had traction “look 30 at 16”
What are the aspects of an addiction?
Physical:
Mood altering
Instant reinforcement
Nicotine –> Dopamine
Behvaioural/Social:
Ritual of smoking
Morning coffeee
After meals
Cigarette breaks
Bar/friends
What days are the toughest to quit smoking?
- First. 2 days
Irritability, anxiety, depressed, diffuclty concentrating
- Weight gain - Approx. 5 kg (most within first 3 months)
What is the rule of 3”s?
3 minutes ‘nic fit’
3 days nic addiction
3 weeks psych addiction
Nicotines impact on Drug Metabolism
- Increase catecholamines –> Increase metabolic rate
- Aromatic hydrocrabones –> Increase metabolism through enzyme induction
- One of the effects may be a drop in blood level, however, re-establishes new blood level
If someone starts smoking, blood levels may
Drop
If someone stops smoking, blood levels may…
- levels rise as enzyme induction now normal (slower metabolism)
If a smoker continues to smoke while on a medication blood levels
No effect
Is there a big worry about drug levels? Which agents? What to do if worried?
- In general, minimal impact of drug tx
- Psychotropic agents, methadone, some oncology agents
- FAX MD re the chnage
What is a word we should avoid?
“FAILURE”
What is th emain method of cessation?
Cold turkey -nNeed willpower here
In regards to counselling, an important distinction is……
Addictions counselling vs Pharmacist counselling
Big difference!
Psychiatry –> Different
Pharmacist –> More of an advisor; cannot provide behvaioural changes
Should we be worried about scams?
Scams vs. legitimate
- If they act as. a crutch, great
- Device to fiddle with
Should e-cigs be used to quit?
No - Fast hit of nicotine, want slow delievery
Lobeila Plant
nicotine-like substance
- Historical –> pre-champix
Silver Acetate
Silver acetate + smoke –> Bitter taste
- Historical
Deterrent –> Tastes terrible
To quit one must have ________. If we are busy, we need to inform the pt of what?
Still need motivation
Product + “program”
IF you have NO time for the patient ….
READ THE FINE PACKAGE INSERT
Nicotine Gum Brands
Nicorette and Thrive
- 2 or 4 mg in gum resin
Nicotine Gum release. How long does it take to work?
- Just enough to take the edge off
- DO not chew fast, slow release prep 9controlled by chewing)
- BUCCAL DELIEVERY: want nicotine to hit mouth, absorbed (little lag), to the brain
- Gum takes 5-8 mins to work –> Morning smokers that lag time is important
Nicotine Gum Technique
BITE BITE –> PARK –> repeat for up to 30 min
- if smoker needs more, can go faster
- If smoker needs less, can go slower
- Chew until pepper taste
Nicotine GUm Interactions
-Coffee and acidic drinks slow abdorption
- SMoke with coffee, have gum before coffee
- Chew a bit more
Is 2 or 4 mg a big mistake if switched?
NO –> Chew what you need
- Under-dosing is a major issue
NRT Heart Attack
If have heart attack, 2 weeks after then NRT –> Second heart attack is common anyways
- What if they smoke in those 2 weeks –> Easy call for JT to use Nicorette
Two approaches to Gum:
One should have what for how long?
PRN - Use whenever urge hits but always playing ctach up
Scheduled: Defuses the next urge
Emergency supply likely needed for months
Wean Off: Follow package insert; hyowever, can be on for a long time