Title:Current Pharmacotherapies for Smoking Cessation and Promising
Emerging Drugs
Volume: 19
Issue: 3
Author(s): Seetal Dodd*, Jodie Harper and Michael Berk
Affiliation:
- IMPACT, The Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, School of Medicine, Deakin University,
Barwon Health, P.O. Box 281, Geelong, 3220, Australia
- Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth
Mental Health, the Department of Psychiatry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
Keywords:
Pharmacotherapy, smoking cessation, tobacco use disorder, addiction, smoking, vaping.
Abstract:
Objective: Pharmacotherapy is commonly used during quit attempts and has shown an
increase in the likelihood of achieving abstinence. However, with established pharmacotherapies,
abstinence rates following a quit attempt remain low, and relapse is common. This review aims to
investigate the efficacy and harm profiles of current and emerging pharmacotherapies.
Methods: Literature review of current and emerging pharmacotherapies for smoking cessation and
tobacco use disorder.
Results: Emerging pharmacotherapies include new formulations of existing therapies, drug repurposing
and some new treatments. New treatments are welcome and may incorporate different
mechanisms of action or different safety and tolerability profiles compared to existing treatments.
However, emerging pharmacotherapies have yet to demonstrate greater efficacy compared to existing
treatments. The emergence of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or ‘vaping’ is a
feature of the current debate around tobacco use disorder. ENDS appear to facilitate switching but
not quitting and are controversial as a harm minimisation strategy.
Limitations: Studies included a broad range of therapies and trial designs that should be compared
with their differences taken into consideration.
Conclusion: Strategies to successfully quit smoking vary between individuals and may extend beyond
pharmacotherapy and involve complex psychosocial factors and pathways.
