The importance of medications in quitting smoking
Today, there are a wide variety of medications available to help people quit smoking. These medications have proven to be effective in the smoking cessation process and have been financed by the Ministry of Health in Spain. One of the most notable medications is Todacitan, a drug that has successfully replaced Champix and Zyntabac, which were withdrawn from the market due to contamination problems in some batches [[1]].
Benefits of Todacitan in quitting tobacco
Todacitan, marketed by the pharmaceutical company Aflofarm, has become the only funded medication available in Spain for smoking cessation [[1]]. This drug has a treatment duration of 25 days and does not contain nicotine, unlike other treatments used to quit smoking. Furthermore, it has been shown to be effective in various clinical studies and has a high level of patient satisfaction [[2]].
Requirements for the use of smoking cessation medications
To use medications to stop smoking, it is necessary to see a doctor, since these drugs require a medical prescription. In addition, certain requirements must be met, such as smoking a minimum of 10 cigarettes a day, having a clear desire to stop and a physical dependence score greater than 7 on the Fagerström test [[3]]. Importantly, these medications are only funded for one attempt per year [[1]].
The role of the Comprehensive Tobacco Prevention and Control Plan
In addition to medications, it is essential to have a comprehensive smoking prevention and control plan. This plan, which covers the period 2021-2025, has as its main objective to combat smoking in Spain. However, it needs to be led by the Presidency of the Government to achieve significant progress in this area [[4]].
Conclusions
In summary, medications play a crucial role in the smoking cessation process. Todacitan, funded by the Ministry of Health, has become an effective and safe option for people who want to quit smoking. However, it is important to remember that the use of medications must be accompanied by other approaches, such as psychological support and cognitive-behavioral treatments. With the support of a comprehensive tobacco prevention and control plan, significant progress can be made in reducing tobacco consumption in Spain [[1]] [[4]].
