Pharmacologic Smoking Cessation Methods

The smoking cessation was witnessed by the author throughout her placement. This was used on a daily basis in the community by district nurses, health visitors, but especially by the general practice nurses as being incorporated in each consultation in the form of advices, leaflets, smoking cessation programs including medication and follow-ups.

Of the roughly 42 million adults in the US that use tobacco, nearly 69% of smokers want to quit and more than 42% of those wishing to quit will make the attempt through various methods(1). These methods range from the "cold turkey" method, nicotine replacement therapy, behavioural therapy and even medicine. Each method has it's unique strengths and weaknesses as well as varying success rates. There are many reasons to quit and many ways in which to do so, either with methods that involve slowly weaning off of nicotine, like gums and patches from replacement therapy, to nicotine-free methods which require support from various sources.

For tobacco addiction, over-the-counter nicotine replacement therapies in the form of patch, lozenge, spray or gum are available. In addition, prescription medications like bupropion and veranicline, which prevent relapse, are used.

These medications are used for heavily dependence on nicotine and are mostly offered as an option because it is safe to use. Bupropion Sr, an antidepressant, can also help the patient with smoking problem and is proven to be effective for withdrawal symptoms. (Edmunds, 2014) A nicotine receptor agonist called Varenicline or Chantix, one of the newest medications in tablet form, which is used in conjunction with other treatments. Asking the patient every visit and informing them about the risk of smoking is recommended which is said to be beneficial during the treatment process (Edmunds,

Cigarette smoking is widely accepted as one of the most readily available addictive substances a person can buy. A person may visit any corner store, any gas station, and there would be a strong chance cigarettes would be sold behind the register. A respiratory Therapists practice revolves around the lungs, not only do they treat patients suffering from pulmonary diseases, but they also help patients move away from unhealthy habits which may have a damaging impact on their lungs and respiratory system, namely smoking. The following points will further explore the Respiratory Therapist part in smoking cessation, such as their role in patient education and prevention, patient counseling as well as their role in forming a treatment

Researchers and doctors all over the world constantly discuss smoking problems. There is an incredible amount of information offered to people who fight the desire to light a cigarette, on a daily basis. But, as any drug, smoking is difficult to be forgotten, even with all the issues it brings.

Smoking cessation: The status is uncontrolled and patient is willing to try to quit smoking.

Smoking is the single highest cause of preventable death in America and puts users at significantly greater risk for disease compared to the rest of the population. Tobacco use costs the U.S. more than 289 billion dollars annually in medical expenses and lost productivity (Surgeon General, 2014). The problems associated with smoking are due in part to its addictiveness. Nicotine is the addictive substance found in tobacco and its chemical dependence is as strong as heroin, cocaine, or alcohol (CDC, 2014). Getting all smokers to quit entirely is not realistic due to nicotine’s addictive characteristics.

Nicotine dependence remains a significant public health concern (Rep., 2011). Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for approximately 1 out of every 5 deaths. On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers. Additionally the estimates for average annual smoking-attributable productivity losses are $96.8 billion and the total economic burden of smoking is approximately $193 billion per year (USDoHaH, 2000). Despite the availability of therapeutic options for smoking cessation, relapse rates remain high (Piasecki, 2006; Pollak et al., 2007). Therefore, there is a need for new, effective, strategies to assist cigarette smokers achieve abstinence.

These can be taken by themselves or with one of the above programs. There are a few prescriptions available: Zyban, Chantix, nasal spray, or an inhalers. The price on these depends on if you have insurance and if they cover it, and how much your copay might be. The success rate from one study shows 36% initially and 30% after one year. There are three options available over the counter: nicotine patch, gum and lozenges. The previous study shows a 23% success rate on the patch, and if you combine this with the prescription, the results are 39% initially and 35.5% after one year. This study also states if you don’t use any program you will have a 5% success rate, but if you combine with one of these replacement therapies your success will triple. (http://www.tobaccofree.org/quitlinks.htm). These products are available in various locations, including supermarkets and drug stores. Walmart sells a generic version of the gum with 170 pieces for $30.98 and the brand name Nicorette for 170 pieces at $57.98. For the patch, they sell their generic version for 14 count at $25.98 and the name brand NicoDerm 14 count at $38.98. With the lozenges, they sell their version with 108 pieces for $30.98 and Nicorette for 81 pieces at $35.37. Several of the manufactures of these products also offer telephone

The most common and convenient program available for smoking cessation is telephone quit lines. There are several options available and they provide a number of resources to help the smoker. These programs are also free to the smoker.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)” works to reduce nicotine withdrawal systems. It releases a small amount of nicotine, but not the same chemicals found in cigarette. NRT products slowly cut down on nicotine craving and ease withdrawal symptoms (Government of British Columbia, 2015). There are different types of NTR products such as “nicotine gum, lozenges, patch and inhaler”. You can get most of these without seeing a doctor, however, before using any of these products, it is important to talk to your doctor if you are “taking any other medication, including those over-the-counter, pregnancy or nursing a baby, or if you have a health condition” (Government of British Columbia, 2015). To enroll into the cessation program, the eligible B.C.

Smoking cessation is the process of quitting tobacco smoking. Studies have shown that smoking is a preventable cause of death worldwide. The ability to quit tobacco has immediate and long term health benefits for all users. By quitting, there is a significant reduction from the risk of death that comes from tobacco-related diseases, most notably, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, difficulty breathing, or chronic obstructive airways disease, as well as tumors of the mouth, throat, esophagus, lungs and bladder. Other neoplastic and respiratory causes of death affect neonates and infants secondary to maternal smoking, cigarette-caused fires and second hand smoke.

Effective approaches for treating tobacco addiction commonly include the use of FDA–approved anti-smoking prescription medications (such as Wellbutrin for mood depression and Bupropion and Varenicline commonly known as Zyban and Chantix for smoking cessation) and possible use of Nicotine Replacement Therapies such as nicotine lozenges and gum (which delivers a controlled amount of nicotine to your system through the mucous membrane of the mouth to help users control cravings). Transdermal patches (also called the nicotine patches are used in a series of steps delivering low levels of nicotine that decrease in amounts of through the skin helping users wane gradually), and prescribed nicotine sprays and inhalers (are inhaled rapidly delivering low levels of nicotine to the bloodstream or absorbed through the nose and throat) (Tyler, 2014). Regularly the methods for treating tobacco addiction require a combination of nicotine replacement methods, psychological and behavioral therapy and support from family, friends and help from an experienced health care team to effectively cease

would like to discuss replacement therapy for tobacco, and the helpful ways of quitting, there are different ways to quit smoking and kicking that nasty habit, to increase your life term. According to the CDC Tobacco use can lead to tobacco/nicotine dependence and serious health problems. Quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk of developing smoking-related diseases and early death. It can lead to lung cancer and many other types of cancer and risk for heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease (narrowing of the blood vessels outside your heart). (, 2015) There have been different types of therapy to reduce the use of nicotine and tobacco use. Such as medications that’s been approved by your PCP, nicotine patches, and Hypnosis.