Tratamiento farmacológico del tabaquismo

Abstract

Currently, tobacco smoking is considered to be a chronic systemic disease that belongs to the group of addictions. Nicotine is the responsible substance of this dependence, producing a variety of disorders at the central nervous system, mainly through a raise of the dopamine levels. Tobacco dependence treatment has two main branches: psychosocial and pharmacological. Nicotine replacement therapy, Bupropion and Varenicline have been approved by the FDA as first-line treatments for nicotine dependence. There are some second-line drugs, such as Clonidine and Nortriptyline that have shown less efficacy and more adverse effects. Currently there are many other drugs in research, such as antinicotine vaccine and Rimonobant, that will probably be available for its use in the coming years. The current review analyzes the pharmacological choices existing today for treating tobacco dependence and those coming in the future.