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New medications
John Hughes
Abstract
The most promising new medications for the immediate future are varenicline and rimonabant. Varenicline partially substitutes for nicotine and appears to produce quit rates that are greater than those with bupropion. Rimonabant blocks cannabanoid receptors and not only increases quit rates but also appears to reverse post-cessation weight gain. Mecamylamine (a nicotine blocker), naltrexone (an opioid blocker) and replacing the sensory aspects of smoking appear promising; however, no recent studies have been published. Vaccines to block nicotine entry into the brain have not yet reached clinical trials. Using NRT prior to quitting or using NRT to reduce prior to quitting also appear are promising strategies. Giving NRT to smokers not interested in quitting to reduce appears to prompt new quit attempts and abstinence. Increasing the dose or duration of NRT does not appear helpful. SSRI antidepressants do not help smokers stop.
Biography
John R. Hughes, M.D. is Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology and Family Practice at the University of Vermont. Dr. Hughes is board certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry. His major focus has been clinical research on tobacco use. Dr. Hughes received the Ove Ferno Award for research in nicotine dependence and the Alton Ochsner Award Relating Smoking and Health. He is a co-founder and past president of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco and the Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Use and Dependence.. Dr. Hughes has been Chair of the Vermont Tobacco Evaluation and Review Board which oversees VT's multi-million dollar tobacco control programs. He has over 300 publications on nicotine and other drug dependencies and is one of the top 25 most cited tobacco scientists. Dr. Hughes has been a consultant on tobacco policy to the World Health Organization, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the White House.
Professor John Hughes
Dept of Psychiatry, Univ VT
38 Fletcher Place
Burlington
VT
05401-1419
USA
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