Recent developments for smoking cessation and treatment of nicotine dependence

Abstract

Nicotine is an addictive drug like heroin, amphetamine or cocaine. Addiction to tobacco leads to significant failure rates in programmes for smoking cessation. The α₄β₂ and α₇ nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and CB₁ cannabinoid receptors play an important role in nicotine addiction.

Keywords::

• cytisine
• naltrexone
• SR141716A
• varenicline

Acknowledgements

The authors are very grateful to M de Lourdes Pucci and G Heloisa P Correa for the competent assistance with bibliography; to A Pardini for reviewing of the manuscript; and to S Ara for kindly providing information on patents.