Smoking cessation

Question 1

Name available pharmacotherapies to help stop smoking

Answer 1

NRT - gives rewarding effects of nicotine without the adverse effects of cigarrete smoking (patches, gum, lozenges)

Buproprion

Varenicline

Question 2

Action and side effects of buproprion

Answer 2

Dopamine and nor adrenaline reuptake inhibitor
Good for use in those with IHD, respiratory disease and depression
SEs - insomnia, headache, nausea, dry mouth, anxiety

Question 3

Action and side effects of Varenicline

Answer 3

Varenicline is a nicotine receptor partial agonist. If reduces craving and withdrawal symptoms and behaves as a competitive antagonist when nictotine is present - pleasure pathways are not activated with smoking.

Question 4

Side effects and contraindications of NRT

Answer 4

Side effects are nausea, cough, insomnia and coronary spasms

Contraindicated in those with heart disease due to SE of coronary spasm