July 2006

Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence

Learning Objectives

At the end of this session you should understand:

The impact of tobacco dependence

Tobacco dependence as a chronic disease

Clinical interventions for tobacco users willing to quit

Clinical interventions for tobacco users not willing to make a quit attempt

Why should I treat tobacco dependence?

Tobacco causes premature death of almost half a million Americans each year

1/3 of all tobacco users in this country will die prematurely from tobacco dependence losing an average of 14 years

70% of smokers see a physician each year

70% of smokers want to quit

Are physicians intervening in tobacco use?

In 38 primary care practices:

Tobacco was discussed in 21% of encounters.

Discussion was:

− more common in the 58% of practices with standard forms for recording smoking status

− more common during new patient visits

− less common with older patients

− less common with physicians in practice more than 10 years.

Ellerbeck, Ahluwalia, et al. Direct observation of smoking cessation activities in primary care practice. J Fam Pract. 2001;50:688-693

Barriers to treating tobacco dependence

“Not enough time.”

“Patients don’t want to hear about it.”

“I can’t help patients stop.”

“Not enough time”

“Minimal interventions lasting

less than 3 minutes increase overall tobacco abstinence rates.”

The PHS Guideline

(Strength of Evidence = A)

“Patients don’t want to hear about it”

“Smoking cessation interventions during physician visits were associated with increased patient satisfaction with their care among those who smoke.”

1,898 patients in a study who reported that they had been asked about tobacco use or advised to quit during the latest visit had 10%greater satisfaction rating and 5% less dissatisfaction than those not reporting such discussions

Mayo Clin Proc. 2001;76:138-143.

“I can’t help patients stop”

Effective clinical interventions exist:

The Public Health Service Clinical Practice Guideline Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence was published in June, 2000 and offers effective treatments for tobacco dependence.

Tobacco dependence is achronic disease

Tobacco dependence requires ongoing rather than acute care

Relapse is a component of the chronic nature of the nicotine dependence — not an indication of personal failure by the patient or the clinician

Tobacco results in a true drug dependence

Tobacco dependence exhibits classic characteristics of drug dependence

Nicotine is:– Causes physical dependence characterized by

withdrawal symptoms upon cessation

– Psychoactive

– Tolerance producing

How do I treat tobacco users who are willing to quit?

The 5 A’sFor Patients Willing To Quit

ASK about tobacco use.

ADVISE to quit.

ASSESS willingness to make a quit attempt.

ASSIST in quit attempt.

ARRANGE for follow-up.

ASK

VITAL SIGNS Blood Pressure: _______________________________ Pulse: ________________ Weight: _______________ Temperature: ________________________________ Respiratory Rate: _____________________________ Tobacco Use: Current Former Never (circle one)

EVERY patient at EVERY visit

ADVISE

Once tobacco use status has been identified and documented, advise all tobacco users to quit

Even brief advice to quit results in greater quit rates

Advice should be:- clear - strong- personalized

“As your health care provider, I must tell you that the most important thing you

can do to improve your health is to stop smoking.”

ASSESS

After providing a clear, strong, and personalized message to quit, you must determine whether the patient is willing to quit at this time.

“Are you willing to try to quit at this time? I can

help you.”

ASSIST

Help develop a quit plan

Provide practical counseling

Provide intra-treatment social support

Help your patient obtain extra-treatment social support

Recommend pharmacotherapy except in special circumstances

Provide supplementary materials

Developing a quit plan

Set a quit date Review past quit attempts Anticipate challenges Remove tobacco products Avoid

– Alcohol use

– Exposure to tobacco

How do I counsel patients to quit?

Counsel your patients to quit

“Minimal interventions lasting less than 3 minutes increase overall tobacco abstinence rates”

The PHS Guideline

(Strength of Evidence = A)

“There is a strong dose-response relation between the session length of person-to- person contact and successful treatment outcomes. Intensive interventions are more effective than less intensive interventions and should be used whenever possible.”

The PHS Guideline

(Strength of Evidence = A)

What pharmacotherapies are available to ASSIST in the quit attempt?

By using the pharmacotherapies found to be effective in the PHS Guideline, you can double or triple your patients’ chances of abstinence.

First-line pharmacotherapies

Bupropion SR (Zyban, Welbutrin)

Nicotine gum

Nicotine inhaler

Nicotine nasal spray

Nicotine lozenge

Nicotine patch

Varenicline (Chantix)

Bupropion SR

One of two non-nicotine medications approved by the FDA as an aid to smoking cessation treatment

Available by prescription only (USA)

Mechanism of action: presumably blocks neural reuptake of dopamine

Bupropion SR

Contraindications:− Seizure disorder− MAO inhibitor used within previous 2 weeks− Hx of anorexia nervosa or bulimia− Current use of Wellbutrin

Side effects:− Insomnia− Dry mouth

Bupropion SR

Dosing: − start 1-2 weeks before quit date− 150 mg orally once daily x 3 day− 150 mg orally twice daily x 7-12 weeks− no taper necessary at end of treatment

Maintenance:− efficacious as maintenance medication for <6

months post-cessation

Varenicline (Chantix)

New medication was FDA-approved in May 2006and on the market July 2006

Varenicline, a pill, is available by prescription only

Varenicline is neither a nicotine replacement therapy nor an anti-depressant drug

Unique: Varenicline acts on nicotine receptors with two types of action: It blocks some of the rewarding effects of nicotine (acts as an antagonist) and at the same time stimulates the receptors in a way that reduces withdrawal (acts as an agonist).

Varenicline (Chantix)

Side Effects: Generally well tolerated The most common side effects are nausea, headache, trouble sleeping and abnormal dreams

Dosage: Start varenicline one week before the quit date for maximum

effectiveness. Recommended treatment is 12 weeks: – ⇒ Days 1-3: …………….1 pill (0.5 mg) per day; – ⇒ Days 4-7: …………….1 pill (0.5 mg) twice a day (a.m. and p.m.) – ⇒ Day 8 to the end: ……1 pill (1 mg) twice a day (a.m. and p.m.)

For best results, quit smoking on Day 8

An additional course of 12 weeks for maintenance can be considered. Pfizer pre-packages Chantix so the pills are laid out day-by-day, in a “Starting Month” package (four weeks) and “Continuing Month” packages thereafter.

Varenicline (Chantix)

Precautions: Use with caution and consider dose reduction in

patients:– With significant renal impairment– Undergoing dialysis

Cost Varies: Cost varies, but it is approximately $120 per month

($4 per day). Varenicline is covered by many health care plans.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

Nicotine is active ingredient

Supplied as steady dose (patch) or self-administered (gum, inhaler, nasal spray)

Self-administered products should be used on scheduled basis initially before tapered to ad lib use and eventual discontinuation

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

No evidence of increased cardiovascular risk with NRT

Medical contraindications:− immediate myocardial infarction (< 2 weeks)− serious arrhythmia− serious or worsening angina pectoris− accelerated hypertension

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT)

Nicotine gum

Nicotine patch

Nicotine inhaler

Nicotine nasal spray

Nicotine lozenge

Nicotine gum

2 mg vs. 4 mg

Chew and park

Absorbed in a basic environment

Use enough pieces each day

Nicotine patch

Available as both prescription and OTC

A new patch is applied each morning

Rotating placement site can reduce irritation

Nicotine inhaler

Available by prescription

Frequent puffing is required

Eating or drinking before and during administration should be avoided

Nicotine nasal spray

Available by prescription

Patient should not sniff, swallow, or inhale the medication

Initial dosing should be 1 to 2 doses per hour, increasing as needed

Dosing should not exceed 40 per day

Nicotine lozenge

Available over the counter

− Treatment period is up to 12 weeks

− Lozenges should not be chewed or swallowed, but should slowly dissolve in the mouth

− Dosage: 2mg or 4 mg (if smoke less than 30 minutes after waking)

− Use lozenges on a regular schedule, using at least 9 lozenges per day during the first 6 weeks

Combination Pharmacotherapy

Combination NRT

− Patch + gum or patch + nasal spray are more effective than a single NRT

− Encourage use in patients unable to quit using single agent

− Caution patients on risk of nicotine overdose

− Currently, not an FDA-approved treatment option

ARRANGE

Schedule a follow-up contact within one week after the quit date− Telephone contact− Quit lines

The majority of relapse occurs in the first two weeks after quitting

The Quit Line and the 5 A’s

ASK about tobacco use.

ADVISE to quit.

ASSESS willingness to make a quit attempt.

ASSIST in quit attempt.

ARRANGE follow-up.

Preventing Relapse– Congratulate success– Encourage continued abstinence– Discuss with your patient:

benefits of quitting barriers

If your patient has used tobacco, remind him or her that the relapse should be viewed as a learning experience

Relapse is consistent with the chronic nature of tobacco dependence; not a sign of failure

Relapse

“How has stopping tobacco use helped

you?”

How do I treat tobacco users who are not willing to make a quit attempt?

Treating patients who are not ready to make a quit attempt

RELEVANCE: Tailor advice and discussion to each patient.

RISKS: Outline risks of continued smoking.

REWARDS: Outline the benefits of quitting.

ROADBLOCKS: Identify barriers to quitting.

REPETITION: Reinforce the motivational message at every visit.

Encourage continuedabstinence

Prevent relapse

Promote motivation

to quit(5 Rs)

Provide appropriate treatments

(5 As)

Assessment of Tobacco Use

Patient presents to a health care provider

Does patient currently use tobacco?

Is the patient currently willing to quit?

Did the patient previously

use tobacco?

YES

YES YES

NO

NO NO

Web Sites

USPHS Guideline and materials: www.surgeongeneral.gov/tobacco

Wisconsin Tobacco Control: www.tobwis.org

UW-Center for Tobacco Research & Intervention: www.ctri.wisc.edu

www.ctri.wisc.edu

“Not since the polio vaccine has this nation had a better opportunity to make a significant impact in public health.”

David Satcher, MD, PhD,Former U.S. Surgeon General