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Cessation Medications

Evidence pages for the medications with the strongest published evidence: nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), varenicline, bupropion and cytisine. Each page reports what the medication is, how it works, what trials and systematic reviews show, common considerations, and questions to ask a healthcare professional.

This is medication information, not medical advice and not prescriptions. Dosing, suitability and interactions are individual clinical decisions. Any medication can have side effects; none of these pages substitutes for discussion with a prescriber or pharmacist.

Evidence strength overview

Medication Best evidence Effect on quit rates vs placebo (approx.) Notes
Varenicline Cochrane review of partial agonists Roughly 2.2–2.9x Also supported by EAGLES safety trial
NRT (any form) Cochrane NRT review Roughly 1.5–1.7x Many forms; combination of patch + fast-acting form is common
Bupropion Cochrane antidepressant review Roughly 1.6x Not with seizure-risk conditions
Cytisine Cochrane + NEJM trials Roughly 1.7–3x vs placebo; similar to NRT in comparative trials Very low cost; not available in all countries

Figures are approximate ranges from the systematic reviews listed; exact estimates depend on setting and outcome definition. See the Research Database records for precise findings.

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