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Updated: Jul 3, 2026

Creating Dynamic Images of Short-lived Dopamine Fluctuations with lp-ntPET: Dopamine Movies of Cigarette Smoking
Published on: August 6, 2013
Update on pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies for smoking cessation
Jason Schmelzle1, Walter W Rosser, Richard Birtwhistle
1Queen's University, Family Medicine, 220 Bagot St, PO Bag 8888, Kingston, ON K7L 5E9. jay.schmelzle@queensu.ca
Objective:
To review the evidence on the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies for smoking cessation.
Quality Of Evidence:
MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were searched for randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews (level I evidence) pertinent to pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic smoking cessation therapies.
Main Message:
Pharmacologic smoking cessation aids are recommended for all smokers trying to quit, unless contraindicated. A new pharmacologic smoking cessation aid, varenicline, is now available in Canada. Level I evidence at 1-year follow-up indicates that it is effective for smoking cessation. Adverse effects include nausea, insomnia, and abnormal dreaming. Nausea is mild or moderate and decreases over time. Varenicline is more effective than placebo or bupropion. Counseling also increases the likelihood of achieving cessation.
Conclusion:
Preliminary data indicate that varenicline is more effective than other available pharmacologic smoking cessation aids. Pharmacologic therapy should be combined with nonpharmacologic therapy.
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