Cytisine pills are unavailable in a number of countries, including the US, but recently gained regulatory approval in the UK and will be available via prescription from 22 January.
By Jenness Mitchell, news reporter
Smokers hoping to kick the habit in 2024 are more than twice as likely to succeed if they take a pill that dampens nicotine cravings, according to a new study.
Smokers aiming to stub out and break their addiction to tobacco often turn to other products such as vapes, patches and gums.
Following a study in Argentina, researchers have reported that cytisine pills – a non-nicotine aid – were more than twice as effective as a placebo at helping people quit smoking.
The plant-based compound – a natural ingredient of cytisus laburnum seeds – has historically been used medically in eastern Europe, with studies going back to the 1960s.
It is unavailable in a number of countries, including the US, but recently gained regulatory approval in the UK and will be available via prescription from 22 January.
The study, published in journal Addiction, pooled the results of eight randomised controlled trials, which compared the success rates of smokers who tried to quit while taking cytisine or a placebo.
Out of the nearly 6,000 patients, the results showed that cytisine pills were more than twice as effective as the placebo at helping people quit smoking.
The study also looked at two randomised controlled trials that compared cytisine with nicotine replacement therapy, with “modest results” in favour of cytisine.
Three trials also compared cytisine with varenicline – which was withdrawn from use in the UK as a precaution due to an impurity found in the medicine – but the results showed no clear benefit for cytisine.
In regards to safety fears, the study reported: “Cytisine had a benign safety profile, with no evidence of serious safety concerns throughout clinical trials compared with a placebo.”
The most frequently reported non-serious AE (adverse events) were gastrointestinal symptoms that were found to be “mild and transient”.
“Our study adds to the evidence that cytisine is an effective and inexpensive stop-smoking aid,” said lead author Dr Omar De Santi.
“Worldwide, smoking is considered the main cause of preventable death. Cytisine has the potential to be one of the big answers to that problem.”
An NHS campaign is encouraging smokers to quit in January
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The latest findings follow a major study led by Oxford University in September which concluded that e-cigarettes were the best quit aid available to Brits, while nicotine patches and gum followed closely behind.
The review found only six out of every 100 people who tried to stop smoking without any quit aids were successful at kicking the habit. However, 14 out of 100 people who tried to quit smoking were successful in their attempt when they used vapes, varenicline or cytisine.
Deborah Arnott, chief executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said: “Cytisine is an effective quitting aid for smokers and it’s good news that it will be available on prescription from the end of January.
“However, if stopping smoking is your New Year’s resolution, you don’t need to wait for cytisine to be available.
“Your chances of successful quitting are just as good if you use vapes containing nicotine, and they can be bought over the counter now.”
Dr Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, said smoking is still the leading cause of cancer, reportedly causing “150 cases across the UK every single day”.
Dr Sharp added: “New options to help people stop smoking are welcome and research shows cytisine is both safe and effective.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
