Table 17.12-6. Dosage of nonnicotine agents used in treatment of nicotine addiction

Agent

Dosage

Initial treatment

Maintenance treatment

Sustained-release bupropion tablets 150 mg

Treatment should be started 1-2 weeks before scheduled quit date. On days 1-3 use 1 tablet (150 mg) in the morning; from day 4 for 7-12 weeks from the date of smoking cessation use 150 mg bid

Treatment can be prolonged to 6 months according to patient preferences

Cytisine tablets 1.5 mg

 

Treatment should be started 1-5 days before the scheduled quit date

Days 1-3: Use 1 tablet (1.5 mg) every 2 h (6 × day)

Days 4-12: 1 tablet every 2.5 h (5 × day)

Days 13-16: 1 tablet every 3 h (4 × day)

Days 17-20: 1 tablet every 5 h (3 × day)

Days 20-25: 1 to 2 tablets a day

Varenicline film-coated tablets 0.5 mg, 1 mg

Treatment should be started 1-2 weeks before scheduled quit date. On days 1-3 use 1 tablet (0.5 mg) once daily; days 4-7, 1 tablet (0.5 mg) bid; from day 8 for the next 11 weeks, 1 mg bid

In patients who quit smoking in the course of 12-week treatment you may consider using 1 mg bid for the next 12 weeks

bid, 2 times a day.