The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 268 No 7193 p487-492
13 April 2002

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NICE endorses smoking cessation therapies for determined quitters

Bupropion (Zyban) and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) should be prescribed for smokers who wish to stop smoking, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has recommended this week.

The guidance states that NRT or bupropion should normally only be prescribed when smokers have made a commitment to stop smoking on or before a certain date. In addition, first prescriptions of NRT or bupropion should only be enough to last until two weeks after the target stop date. Normally, this will be two weeks for NRT and three to four weeks for bupropion. Smokers should only be given a second prescription for NRT or bupropion if they can show they are still trying to stop smoking.

If a smoker's attempt to stop smoking is unsuccessful, another course of NRT or bupropion should not usually be prescribed within six months.

Copies of the full guidance are available on the NICE web site (www.nice.org.uk).