Evaluation and Comparison of the Effects of Three Different Medications on the Success of Smoking Cessation in Adults

Seyhan Dulger; Mehmet Haksever; Ercan Gundogdu; Davut Akduman; Fevzi Solmaz

Volume : IV, Issue : V, May - 2014

Evaluation and Comparison of the Effects of Three Different Medications on the Success of Smoking Cessation in Adults

Seyhan Dulger, Mehmet Haksever, Ercan Gundogdu, Davut Akduman, Fevzi Solmaz

Abstract :

Introduction: Although nearly half of smokers try to cease smoking every year, only 3% of them can achieve this goal by themselves. Presence of organized smoking cessation units where people considering to quit smoking can consult is a basic element of tobacco control work–up. Aim: In this study, patients whose initial visit to our center was in its first 6 months of service (Feuary–July 2012) and have completed their 1 year of follow–up are evaluated retrospectively. Materials and Method: 174 patients who had referred to our center between Feuary and July 2012 and made at least one visit of follow–up were included and studied retrospectively. Results: All patients underwent behavioral therapy. In addition to behavioral therapy, 94 patients (54.0%) were given varenicline tartrate, 63 (36.2%) were given nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and 17 (9.8%) were given bupropion hydrochloride. 72 patients (41.3%) kept on being a non–smoker at the end of the first year (the success group) but 102 (58.7%) failed to do so (the failure group). No statistically significant difference was found between the success rates of the three medications Conclusion: Both behavioral support and, unless contraindicated, pharmacological treatment should be applied to patients willing to quit smoking. For this purpose, number of smoking cessation centers should be increased.