First-line Pharmacotherapies
(Approved for use for smoking cessation by the FDA)
| Pharma- cotherapy |
Precautions/ Contraindications |
Side Effects |
Dosage | Duration | Availability | Cost/day2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bupropion SR | History of seizure History of eating disorders |
Insomnia Dry mouth |
150 mg every morning for 3 days then 150 mg twice daily (Begin treatment 1-2 weeks pre-quit) |
7-12 weeks maintenance up to 6 months |
Zyban (prescription only) | $3.50 |
| Nicotine Gum | Mouth soreness Dyspepsia |
1-24 cigs/day-2 mg gum (up to 24 pcs/day) 25+cigs/day-4 mg gum (up to 24 pcs/day) |
Up to 12 weeks | Nicorette, Nicorette Mint, Nicorette Orange (OTC only) |
Brand name: $4.54 for 10 2 mg pieces $5.00 for 10 4 mg pieces Store brand: $3.00 for 10 2 mg pieces $3.70 for 10 4 mg pieces |
|
| Nicotine Inhaler | Local irritation of mouth and throat | 6-16 cartridges/day | Up to 6 months | Nicotrol Inhaler (prescription only) |
$10.95 for 10 cartridges | |
| Nicotine Nasal Spray | Nasal irritation | 8-40 doses/day | 3-6 months | Nicotrol NS (prescription only) |
$5.64 for 12 doses | |
| Nicotine Patch | Local skin reaction Insomnia |
21 mg/24 hours 15 mg/16 hours |
4 weeks 8 weeks |
Nicoderm CQ, Nicotrol (OTC only) |
Brand name $3.50 Store brand $2.11 |
1 The information contained within this table is not comprehensive. Please see package insert for additional information.
2 Prices based on retail prices of medication purchased at a national chain pharmacy located in Madison, Wisconsin, April 2001.
Generic brands of the patch recently became available and may be less expensive.
Internet Citation:
Suggestions for the Clinical Use of Pharmacotherapies for Smoking Cessation. U.S. Public Health Service. http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco/clinicaluse.htm
Return to Clinician's Packet
Tobacco Cessation Guideline Index
Department of Health and Human Services