Doctors emphasize that smokers attempting to quit are more than twice as likely to succeed if they utilize a medication that reduces nicotine cravings, highlighting its potential as a key tool in smoking cessation efforts.
Quitting smoking consistently ranks among the toughest New Year resolutions due to nicotine’s highly addictive nature.
While safer nicotine delivery products like vapes, patches, and gums are popular, doctors have reviewed evidence supporting the efficacy of a medication called cytisine in combating nicotine addiction
Cytisine, derived naturally from laburnum seeds (though the seeds themselves are toxic), has been safely used in central and eastern Europe for decades but remains unavailable in most countries, including the US.
Recently, it gained regulatory approval in the UK and will be accessible starting later this month.
An analysis conducted by researchers in Argentina examined 12 randomized controlled trials comparing the success rates of smokers attempting to quit using cytisine, a placebo, varenicline (Champix), or nicotine replacement therapies like patches and gum.
The findings, published in the journal Addiction, reveal that cytisine pills were more than twice as effective as placebo in aiding smoking cessation.
Some trials also suggested that cytisine might be as effective as varenicline and potentially more effective than nicotine replacement therapies.
“Our study contributes to the growing evidence that cytisine is an effective and affordable aid for quitting smoking,” said Omar de Santi, a toxicologist at the Posadas National Hospital in Argentina, who led the review.
“Globally, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death. Cytisine has the potential to be a significant part of the solution to this problem.”
Despite a significant decline in smoking rates in the UK over the past half-century, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable illness and death, claiming an estimated 100,000 lives annually, more than the combined toll of the next five largest causes, according to the Royal Society for Public Health.
These findings echo a September study led by Oxford University, which concluded that e-cigarettes, varenicline, and cytisine were similarly effective in helping about 14 out of 100 smokers quit for at least six months, compared to only about six out of 100 without any cessation aids.
Cytisine pills are set to become available in the UK as a prescription-only medicine by the end of January, priced at £115 for a 25-day course of 100 pills. The cost may deter some regions from including it in their healthcare services.
“It is positive to have a non-nicotine aid back on the market, as some smokers may prefer this option,” said Hazel Cheeseman of Action on Smoking and Health (Ash).
“However, the decision on whether to offer it in stop-smoking services will be made locally”.
While it is cost-effective considering the impact on public health services of smokers continuing to smoke, it is currently more expensive than providing nicotine replacement therapy or vaping products, and some areas may opt not to offer it to smokers.
“Smokers unable to access this medication immediately should be reassured that using nicotine alternatives is a safe and effective way to quit smoking.”
Robert West, a professor at UCL’s Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, welcomed the approval of cytisine in the UK, calling it “excellent news for smokers.”
He noted its effectiveness comparable to Champix and e-cigarettes, adding that while cost might initially be a concern, it should decrease as the market grows and the supplier recoups its investment in obtaining marketing approval.
