Resources for the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment based
Proactive and Personalised Primary Care of the Elderly
Smoking in Late Life : Algorithm
MEDICATION
Pharmacological therapy is most effective when used together with behavioral therapy
Choice of therapy should be based on patient’s past experience, preference, medical conditions, & potential
side effects
First-Line Medications
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Eg Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT), bupropion SR and varenicline
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Involves the use of a product that contains nicotine to replace the nicotine previously provided by smoking.Helps patients unwilling or unable to stop smoking to lessen their cigarette consumption
Second-Line Medications
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Eg Nortriptyline, Cytisine, Clonidine
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Should be considered only if 1st-line medications have failed or are contraindicated
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Evaluate for correct medication usage if initial therapy failed
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Patients should be assessed for specific contraindications, precautions & side effects
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May try lowering dose or switching to an alternative agent if w/ intolerable side effects
Other Medications
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There were no significant effects found on the following antidepressants: Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Moclobemide, or Venlafaxine
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Antinicotine vaccines are currently undergoing clinical studies, with varying results
MEDICATION ALGORITHM
An algorithm was developed in 2009 by a panel of international experts (Bader P et al, 2009).
By prioritising factors to consider in prescribing pharmacotherapy, it adds value to current knowledge and existing algorithms (Le Foll BL, 2007), (Selbt P, 2007), (Hughes J, 2009)
GUIDE FOR USING THE ALGORITHM
(Bader P et al, 2009).
Three distinct types of pharmacotherapy have demonstrated efficacy as first line medications for smoking cessation:
(a) nicotine replacement therapy (including patch, gum, inhaler, lozenge, nasal spray),
(b) bupropion and
(c) varenicline
Monotherapy
Selecting a particular type of pharmacotherapy should be guided by the following seven factors:
1. Evidence
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The importance of evidence-based medicine is the top priority in considering which form of pharmacotherapy to prescribe or recommend to a patientbased on effectiveness and safety (Fiore MC et al, 2008)
2. Patient preference
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There is no value in prescribing or recommending a medication that a patient will not take. “It is essential that the patient be comfortable with the decision, have reasonable expectations for product efficacy, and have confidence in their ability to use the medication appropriately”.
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Patient preference can be modified through an informed and shared decision-making process between the clinician and patient.
3. Patient experience
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Expectations are often informed by experience. Therefore, a patient’s experience with smoking cessation attempts and use of pharmacotherapy needs to be a significant factor in influencing choice of pharmacotherapy. “A clinician must understand what the patient has tried and why the patient did not succeed”.
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If the patient was successful with a particular medication for a period of time, it may be prudent to try the same medication again; if unsuccessful with a particular medication, then probably should not use again.
4. Patient needs
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Consideration of patient needs is important in determining their willingness to use medications, the ease of use of various smoking cessation products and likelihood of compliance.
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Other patient needs to take into account before prescribing or recommending a particular pharmacotherapy include: extent and severity of cravings, situations or times when cravings are strongest, triggers for smoking, specific hurdles to overcome, etc.
5. Patient history
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Many patients have comorbidities (medical, psychiatric, alcohol/drug abuse) which need to be taken into account. For example, a patient with a history of alcohol abuse or seizures would be excluded from bupropion use.
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Smoking history, past quit attempts and experience with pharmacotherapy are all factors influencing the decision of pharmacotherapy choice.
6. Patient clinical suitability for pharmacotherapy
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Some patients may not be suitable for pharmacotherapy interventions and potential contraindications need to be considered. Generally, pharmacotherapy would not be recommended for patients having a low level of nicotine dependence.
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In addition, a patient may prefer a non-pharmacological approach to treatment.
7. Potential drug interactions/side effects
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Contraindications, use of other medications, and the side effect profile all need to be considered.
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Potential drug interactions are a show-stopper when it is relevant, but it is rarely an issue, so it is important but infrequent”.
Combinations of pharmacotherapy
Combination pharmacotherapy is indicated for patients based on five factors:
1. Failed attempt with monotherapy
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The general principle is that intensity of medications should be increased when monotherapy has resulted in relapse.
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A caveat is that the medication was used appropriately and that there was “a ‘true’ attempt to quit”.
2. Patients with breakthrough cravings
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Breakthrough cravings may be an indication that more treatment is needed. An additional form of NRT or an addition of NRT (as needed) to a non-NRT oral medication may be helpful.
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binations of NRT can be used for steady-state delivery (patch) and as needed (gum/lozenge).
3. Level of dependence
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Highly dependent smokers are more likely to benefit from combination pharmacotherapy.
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It may be important to begin with combination pharmacotherapy for these individuals.
4. Multiple failed attempts
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Multiple failed attempts may be an indication that more intensive therapy is needed.
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However, it is important to keep in mind that failed attempts may also be based on patient lack of commitment rather than insufficient medication.
5. Patients with nicotine withdrawal
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Patients experiencing nicotine withdrawal can be a trigger for their relapse to smoking.
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The combination of pharmacotherapies (for example, addition of NRT to another pharmacotherapy) can be a helpful response for managing nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Specific combinations of pharmacotherapy
When prescribing or recommending combinations of pharmacotherapy, first select combinations of NRT.
Then, prescribe a combination of bupropion and NRT for more heavily dependent patients.
1. Two or more forms of NRT
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The use of two or more forms of NRT has the strongest evidence base, can be used safely and effectively, and is the most commonly used form of combination therapy.
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This approach permits optimal titration of NRT to meet nicotine needs and can be achieved easily and cheaply.
2. Bupropion + form of NRT
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Bupropion plus a form of NRT can be effective for some patients.
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This combination is generally used in more heavily dependent patients.
Impact of comorbidities on selection of pharmacotherapy
When prescribing pharmacotherapy to patients having a dual diagnosis (that is, medical, psychiatric or other substance use in addition to smoking), specific attention should be given to:
1. Contraindications
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Attention to contraindications is the top priority in the selection of type of pharmacotherapy in patients with comorbidities
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Contraindications are primarily an issue with use of bupropion (that is, history of seizures, alcohol problems) and with patients who are already taking other medications.
2. Specific pharmacotherapy useful for certain comorbidities
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Specific pharmacotherapy may be useful for treatment of certain comorbidities in addition to smoking cessation.
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For example, bupropion may be a good choice for depressed patients who want to quit smoking. However, for patients with anxiety disorders or eating disorders, bupropion would not be a good choice.
3. Dual purpose medications
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Dual purpose medications may have added value in enhancing compliance.
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Most common is use of bupropion for depressed patients who want to quit smoking. Bupropion can also be useful for patients who do not want to gain weight.
Frequency of monitoring
All patients taking pharmacotherapy should be monitored carefully.
The frequency of monitoring should be determined by:
1. Patient need
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The top priority for frequency of monitoring should be determined by patient needs. For example, patients with multiple or difficult quit attempts will likely require more support.
2. Type of pharmacotherapy
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Some types of pharmacotherapy may require more frequent monitoring, particularly if there is potential for adverse events (for example, drug interaction, side effects).
FOLLOW-UP
The principle for follow-up is to monitor the status of the program that was given to the patient.
Physician follow-up should be arranged soon after the quit date (within the first 2 weeks after initiating medical therapy), at 12-week intervals, then at therapy completion
Points for assessment during follow-up visits:
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Success of smoking cessation
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Patient should be congratulated if successful & strongly encouraged to remain abstinent
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Motivational level
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Presence of withdrawal symptoms should be discussed and pointers on what to do should be given
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Symptoms of Nicotine withdrawal usually peak within 1-2 weeks and then diminish
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Discuss problems encountered and challenges that may occur in the future
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Assess pharmacotherapy useand problems
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If required, consider specialist referral for more intensive treatment
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If patient smoked, review circumstances & encourage re-commitment to complete abstinence
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Lapse should be seen as a learning experience
SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS
(NCSCT online)
The summary includes information for all medication used to quit smoking on :
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Indications
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Posology and method of administration
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Contraindications
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Special warnings and precautions for use
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Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
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Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
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Effects on ability to drive and use machines
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Undesirable effects
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Overdose
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Pharmacological properties
Guide to drug interactions with tobacco smoking
(NSW government, online)
Decreased CYP1A2 activity after smoking cessation increases the risk of adverse drug reactions thus requiring adjustment to the dosage of some medications.
The change in metabolism/drug dose can occur with anyone who is reducing smoking. People considered light smokers may still need dose adjustment depending on the way they smoke (eg. compensatory smoking – inhaling more deeply).
This guide summarises those drug interactions with tobacco smoking that are considered to be most clinically important.n includes :
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The Effect of smoking on certain drugs
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The Effect of smoking cessation on certain drugs
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The Impact on dosage required when the client smokes and/or stops smoking
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An indication of the clinical importance
This page is an extension of Smoking in Late Life
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This is one of several topics presented in the Thorny Issues sector of this toolkit
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