How Pharmacists Can Aid in Smoking Cessation

More than 1.1 billion people across the world engage in the tobacco consumption. According to the CDC, smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

A report from the CDC in 2015 also shows that 7 out of 10 smokers wanted to quit completely. Despite the well-known dangers, many people simply don’t, or can’t, quit. This is likely due to the addictive nicotine in cigarettes. Some smokers may find it extremely difficult to quit smoking on their own, and many who attempt to quit don’t do so for very long. If physicians know of a patient who is interested in smoking cessation, but unsure where to start or what options are available to them, pharmacists can help.

Smoking Cessation & Drug Interactions

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is one cessation option that is not known to involve any risk of interactions with other medications, but that may not be the case with other methods. NRT methods, such as nicotine gum or patches, are fairly simple and don’t require a prescription, and work to help patients decrease their cravings.

It is also important to note that the metabolism of some drugs, such as Warfarin and Chlorpromazine, has been shown to be affected in smoking cessation cases, and should be discussed with one’s physician and pharmacist before being prescribed. In this case, consulting with a pharmacist is vital to know what medications patients can use safely without interfering with cessation attempts.

If a patient is interested in researching methods of smoking cessation, or has specific questions, pharmacists can be an invaluable resource. There are many pharmacological options for smoking cessation in addition to Nicotine Replacement Therapy, such as Bupropion and Varenicline. Speaking to a pharmacist is an easy way to get concrete, up-to-date information on any drug interactions patients may be curious about, as well as any therapy options for smoking cessation. Also, if physicians are prescribing new medications for patients who smoke or who are considering quitting smoking, physicians should consult with pharmacists to determine drug options that best suit their needs.

Patient, Pharmacist & Physician Collaboration

To be sure that patients stay safe and get the best care, it is recommended that both the physician and patient speak to a pharmacist. For the patient, pharmacists can help formulate practical plans for smoking cessation that keep patients committed. It could be dangerous for a patient to attempt to quit smoking, only to start again, and have any new medications interact negatively. For this reason, physicians should be aware of the pharmacist’s plan and consult with them directly to stay up to date on a patient’s activity. It is also important to note that certain smoking cessation options may also be affected by previous medical conditions and should be considered by the patient when consulting a pharmacist.

Pharmacists can also recommend other non-pharmacological resources for patients who want to quit smoking, such as counseling services that can help with patients’ motivation. Smoking cessation is a difficult process, but well worth the effort, as it can have significant health benefits. When committed patients work in conjunction with pharmacists and physicians, change is possible.