Three nicotine-releasing adhesive patches for the skin (Habitrol - Ciba-Geigy; Nicoderm - Marion Merrell Dow; and PROSTEP - Lederle) have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to aid withdrawal from smoking. Nicotrol (Parke-Davis) may also be approved soon. All the manufacturers recommend using the patches in conjunction with a behavioral modification program.

View the Expanded Table: Some Drugs for Smoking Cessation

Many patients ask physicians to help them stop smoking. Since nicotine gum and patches were first marketed (Medical Letter, 26:47, 1984; 34:37, 1992), more data have become available on their effective use, and new formulations of the drug have been developed. Because of its slower rate of absorption, nicotine from gum or patches does not produce the pleasure some people associate with cigarette smoking, but it can relieve the irritability, difficulty in concentrating and other symptoms that occur after withdrawal from smoking.

Smoking tobacco remains the primary preventable cause of death in the US. Smoking cessation often requires both pharmacotherapy and behavioral support.

Varenicline tartrate (Chantix - Pfizer) is now available for oral treatment of tobacco dependence. Some other drugs for this indication are listed in this article.