Dr Cheryl Oncken Professor of Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine & Director, Clinical Research Center, University of Connecticut Health Center, USA
Abstract
Although medications are recommended for most smokers, there is a paucity of data in pregnant women. Given the significant health risks of maternal smoking, and the potential of pharmacotherapy to increase quit rates, a need exists to examine the safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation during pregnancy.
Dr. Oncken's presentation will focus on medications for smoking cessation during pregnancy. She will review the health risks of smoking during pregnancy, and what is known regarding the benefit/risk profile of various pharmacotherapies (gum, patch, bupropion, varenicline) for smoking cessation during pregnancy. She will also review studies that have examined the efficacy or effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation during pregnancy. Future directions for research regarding medications for smoking cessation during pregnancy will also be discussed.
Source of funding: NIH
Declaration of interest: Dr. Oncken has received free nicotine and placebo inhalers from Pfizer pharmaceuticals.
