The cardiovascular risks and benefits of quit smoking medicines

In this presentation, the speakers reported the results of a series of three population-based cohort studies relating to the use and effects of smoking cessation pharmacotherapies. The first of these studies provided evidence on how the three smoking cessation pharmacotherapies available in Australia (nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline and bupropion) compare to each other in terms of cardiovascular safety.

The second study measured the prevalence of use of these pharmacotherapies among patients who were hospitalised in NSW for a major cardiovascular disease. Our third study, also based on patients who were hospitalised for a major cardiovascular disease, compared the effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline in preventing recurrent cardiovascular events.