NICE's update mandates that local commissioners and providers of healthcare in England make Cytisine cytisinicline available as a treatment option alongside other established smoking cessation therapies, giving frontline healthcare professionals an additional treatment option in the fight against the ongoing smoking-related health crisis.
With NICE's updated guidelines in place, clinicians will freely be able to provide this treatment option, where appropriate, to support more individuals in breaking free from smoking. The update to the NICE tobacco guidelines was instigated by the UK launch of Cytisine in January and included a review of the clinical and cost-effectiveness evidence, which confirmed Cytisine's position as a first line treatment option for smoking cessation. Having more treatment options available, and making it easier for people who smoke to access them, will help ensure more people can be smoke-free, reducing the risk of illness and premature death.
Many people prefer oral medications for convenience and Cytisine give them options. Those wishing to quit smoking are encouraged to visit their local stop smoking services or speak with a healthcare professional to discuss treatment options. Cytisine cytisinicline is a prescription medication for smoking cessation, launched in the UK in January Its active ingredient, a plant alkaloid derived from the Cytisus laburnum plant, mimics nicotine, helping to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms while diminishing the pleasure of smoking.
Cytisine has been widely used in Eastern Europe for decades and is associated with a well-documented safety profile. Although the evidence base for cytisinicline ranged from moderate to very low quality, it was found to be effective in helping people to stop smoking when combined with behavioural support. It was found to be more effective than placebo or NRT, and there was no difference identified for the effectiveness of cytisinicline compared with varenicline. When compared to placebo or no medication, and NRT, those taking cytisinicline were at higher risk of nausea and insomnia.
But when varenicline was compared to cytisinicline, those taking varenicline were at greater risk of experiencing nausea. However, the absolute numbers for these differences were small and the committee.
