Cytisine helped in quitting e-cigarettes

A randomized clinical trial by U.S. scientists has found that taking cytisine in conjunction with behavioral support for 12 weeks demonstrated efficacy in stopping e-cigarette use. As reported by a group of scientists led by Nancy Rigotti (Nancy Rigotti) from Harvard Medical School in JAMA Internal Medicine, the analysis included 160 participants who used electronic cigarettes (vapes). Prolonged (more than four weeks) abstinence from e-cigarettes was observed in 34 of 107 participants taking cytisine and in 8 of 53 participants taking placebo (odds ratio 2.64; p = 0.04).

Cytisine is a partial agonist of α4β2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that mediate nicotine dependence. It has previously shown efficacy against nicotine addiction and cigarette smoking. Study participants took cytisine at a dose of three milligrams three times a day for 12 weeks in conjunction with psychotherapeutic approaches. The drug was well tolerated, and doctors concluded that cytisine may help patients with nicotine addiction to e-cigarettes.