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Weigh up risks and benefits of smoking cessation treatments
26 Apr 2012
A comparative study using data from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found that the risk of depression and suicidal/self-harm behaviour is substantially greater with varenicline than with other smoking cessation treatments t(although the absolute risk of harm is low). Dr Phillip Bland, GP with an interest in mental health, Dalton-in-Furness assesses the import of this paper for UK primary care: I think it is reasonable to continue to offer varenicline as a first-line treatment, provided; we counsel patients to stop their treatment and seek immediate advice if they develop agitation, depression or suicidal thoughts; we closely monitor those with a previous history of psychiatric illness; we do not prescribe to high risk patients e.g. those with a previous history of attempted suicide; we liaise closely with smoking cessation services. I would advocate a shared-care protocol clarifying mutual responsibilities and the importance of passing on relevant information.'
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Smoking doubles risk of depression
19 Nov 2008
Telling smokers their 'lung age' doubles quit rates
23 Apr 2008
