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In the new year, thousands of the 5.3 million smokers in Britain will make a resolution to quit smoking and attempt to break the habit.
Although it is considered one of the most difficult resolutions to maintain, a recent study suggests that a medication available in the UK this month may aid in achieving this goal.
Since the 1960s, Cytisine has been utilized in central and Eastern Europe as an inexpensive generic treatment for quitting smoking that helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
According to a study conducted by scientists in Argentina, the plant-based substance was over twice as effective as a placebo and may have greater effectiveness than nicotine replacement therapy.
The NHS Smokefree campaign is urging 5.3 million smokers in England to try quitting this January in order to enhance their health and decrease the chances of young people picking up the habit.
The results of eight randomized controlled trials comparing cytisine with a placebo were combined and published in the Addiction journal. The trials included nearly 6,000 patients.
Out of the total 5,922 patients, 2,996 were administered with cytisine.
Although there may be worries about potential side effects, scientists determined that cytisine has a “harmless safety record” and there is no indication of significant safety risks.
The most commonly reported mild side effects during the clinical trials were digestive issues and disturbances in sleep.
The Smokefree campaign by the NHS is urging 5.3 million smokers in England to give up smoking this January.
The Pharmaceutical Journal reports that the medication was granted approval for use in 2019 and will be released in the UK this month. It will only be available with a prescription and a pack of 100 tablets, to be taken over 25 days, will cost £115.
Researchers suggest that including cytisine in a strategy to improve access to drug therapy for smokers could be beneficial, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access is often limited. Due to its affordability, cytisine has the potential to play a significant role in this plan.
Dr. Omar De Santi, the main author of the study from Centrol Nacional de Intoxicaciones (CNI), stated that their research further supports the use of cytisine as an affordable and successful method for quitting smoking.
This method could be highly beneficial in decreasing smoking rates in developing countries like Lami, where there is a pressing need for affordable smoking cessation medications.
Smoking is recognized as the primary reason for avoidable deaths worldwide. Cytisine has the potential to be a significant solution to this issue.
The research also examined two randomized controlled studies comparing cytisine to nicotine replacement therapy, showing modestly favorable outcomes for cytisine, and three studies comparing cytisine to varenicline, without a definite advantage for cytisine.
Source: independent.co.uk
