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Creating Dynamic Images of Short-lived Dopamine Fluctuations with lp-ntPET: Dopamine Movies of Cigarette Smoking
Published on: August 6, 2013
Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation
Laura Carrozzi1, Francesco Pistelli, Giovanni Viegi
1Cardio-Thoracic Department, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy. carrozzl@ifc.cnr.it
Abstract:
Tobacco dependence is a chronic relapsing disease that needs continuous treatment. In combination with behavioural support, pharmacotherapy is a proven key component for supporting smoking cessation. Effective drugs are available and recommended: nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and varenicline. Much research into new pharmacological approaches is ongoing, combining 'old' and 'new' drugs and personalizing a pharmacological treatment for a single smoker/patient; other new medications and vaccines are in development. Overall, pharmacotherapy seems to have efficacy and cost-effectiveness in real life, thus physicians should become familiar with these medicines. Further efforts should be aimed at optimizing treatment management and increasing smoking cessation rates in the general population.
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