Quit smoking with medical help
Quitting tobacco is a step that most smokers want to take at some point in their lives. However, it is not easy and in many cases medical help is needed to achieve it. In this sense, to date, treatments such as varenicycline, known commercially as Chantix or Champix, were used. But it was withdrawn from the market, leaving a therapeutic gap that fortunately has recently been filled with Todacitan, a new drug whose active ingredient is cytisine and which promises to end the addiction in 25 days.
A treatment financed by Social Security
This medication was released at the beginning of February as the only reimbursable prescription treatment to help reduce the number of smokers. This means that the 198 euros it cost (now 116.93 euros) are financed by Social Security, as long as a doctor prescribes it. To do this, it is not only necessary to apply for it, but also meet certain requirements.
Todacitan, the new treatment to stop smoking
“Todacitan is indicated in adults for the treatment of tobacco dependence and reduction of anxiety due to nicotine dependence in smokers who are willing to stop smoking,” is the description made in this regard from the official website of the Ministry of Health. . Cytisine, the active ingredient of Todacitan, is a plant alkaloid obtained from the seeds of trees of the genus Cytisus laburnum.
The operation of Todacitan
The key is that it simulates the effects that nicotine has on the brain, but unlike other smoking cessation treatments, it does not contain it. Cytisine helps reduce withdrawal symptoms, reducing anxiety levels and the urge to smoke.
Progressive treatment with Todacitan
Treatment with Todacitan involves taking a series of pills over a short period of time, as otherwise it could lead to dependence. In this way, you start with 6 pills daily (one every two hours) for the first three days; 5 daily (every 2.5 hours) from the fourth to the twelfth day; 4 daily (every 3 hours) from the 13th to the 16th; 3 daily (every five hours) from the 17th to the 20th and one or two doses between the 21st and 25th.
How to order medication to stop smoking
In order to start treatment with Todacitan, you must go to your family doctor and have him or her assess the need to prescribe it. Furthermore, as reported by the Ministry of Health, it is essential to comply with a series of requirements so that the doctor in question can prescribe the medication.
Requirements for the prescription of Todacitan
– Patients must be included in a support program (individual and/or group) for smoking cessation that is implemented in the CCAA/ INGESA or Mutuals.
– Patients must have express motivation to quit smoking that can be verified with an attempt to quit smoking in the last year.
– They must be patients who smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day and also have a high level of dependence qualified by the Fagerström test: greater than or equal to 7.
– One annual attempt per patient to quit smoking with pharmacological support will be funded.
– Each prescription will be made for one container, which is equivalent to 25 days of treatment. The treatment will be for a maximum of 25 days, as described in the technical sheet, which is equivalent to one container.
