Pharmacotherapy Options for Smoking Cessation

Tobacco use can lead to serious health problems, disability, and death. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of developing these health problems. However, the long-term use of tobacco products that contain nicotine can cause physical dependence that may induce withdrawal symptoms when a patient tries to quit, and this, as well as other barriers, can impede a person from successfully quitting. Behavioral support may be combined with pharmacotherapy to provide patients with the ability to overcome these barriers. Pharmacists and other healthcare team members should work together to help patients develop an individualized plan to stop smoking.