Smoking cessation withdrawal symptoms

Research on CBl knockout mice demonstrated the pivotal role of CBl receptors in cannabis dependence knockout mice have been shown not to self-administer cannabinoids (Ledent et al. 1999) and also to fail to exhibit symptoms ofSRl417l6A-precipitated withdrawal (Ledent et al. 1999 Lichtman et al. 2001). Although the research summarized earlier is consistent in reporting the occurrence of a variety of withdrawal symptoms following cessation of exposure to cannabinoids (which were injected), precipitated withdrawal in mice following chronic exposure to marijuana smoke was more recently reported (Lichtman and Martin 2002). 

Although acute mecamylamine increases nicotine self-administration and smoking, prolonged mecamylamine treatment has shown some interest for smoking cessation. Mecamylamine blocks the discriminative stimulus effect of nicotine in humans Mecamylamine produces some withdrawal symptoms in smokers... 

Molander L, LuneU E, Andersson SB, Kuylenstiema F (1996) Dose released and absolute bioavaU-abUity of nicotine from a nicotine vapor inhaler. CUn Pharmacol Ther 59 394 00 Murphy JK, Edwards NB, Downs AD, Ackerman BJ, Rosenthal TL (1990) Effects of doxepin on withdrawal symptoms in smoking cessation. Am J Psychiatry 147 1353-1357 Nabi Biopharmaceuticals (2007). Nabi biopharmaceuticals announces positive results of phase Ilb trial of NicVAX. Medical News Today, 3 May 2007. See http //www.medicalnewstoday.com/ articles/69666.php, accessed October 11, 2007... 

Nortriptyline (Pamelor). A recent study suggested that the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline, like bupropion, is effective in the treatment of smoking cessation. Nortriptyline does not have any significant effect on dopamine reuptake activity, but it does increase norepinephrine availability. Like bupropion, nortriptyline may therefore reduce the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Because nortriptyline carries the danger of lethality in overdose and has the unfavorable side effect profile of the tricyclics, we do not recommend its use for smoking cessation. However, it does raise the question as to whether other newer antidepressants that increase norepinephrine activity (e.g., venlafaxine, mirtazapine, duloxetine) may also prove to be effective treatments for nicotine withdrawal. 

Abrupt cessation of regular smoking is not associated with severe physical withdrawal symptoms. In general, subjects complain of increased nervousness, lack of concentration, and weight gain. 

As an aid to smoking cessation for the relief of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Use as part of a comprehensive behavioral smoking-cessation program. 

Hurt, R. D., Dale, L. C., Croghan, G. A., Croghan, I. T., Gomez-Dahl, L. C. and Offord, K. P. 1998. Nicotine nasal spray for smoking cessation Pattern of use, side effects, relief of withdrawal symptoms, and cotinine levels. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, ly. 118-125. 

Bupropion was approved in 1997 as a treatment for smoking cessation. Approximately twice as many people treated with bupropion as with placebo have a reduced urge to smoke. In addition, patients taking bupropion appear to experience fewer mood symptoms and possibly less weight gain while withdrawing from nicotine dependence. Bupropion appears to be about as effective as nicotine patches in smoking cessation. The mechanism by which bupropion is helpful in this... 

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