Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update: Slide Presentation (Full)

Medication

Every smoker should be offered medications endorsed in this Guideline, except where contraindicated or for specific populations for which there is insufficient evidence of effectiveness (i.e., pregnant women, smokeless tobacco users, light smokers and adolescents; see Table 3.2 for clinical Guidelines and Tables 3.3-3.11 for specific instructions and precautions). The clinician should explain how medications increase smoking cessation success and reduce withdrawal symptoms. The first-line medications include: bupropion SR, nicotine gum, nicotine inhaler, nicotine lozenge, nicotine nasal spray, nicotine patch, and varenicline. Certain combinations of cessation medications are also effective. Combining counseling and medication increases abstinence rates.

Population

Intensive intervention programs may be used with all tobacco users willing to participate in such efforts.