ABUSE POTENTIAL OF NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

The abuse liability of nicotine replacement therapies is an important clinical consideration in the pharmacological treatment of nicotine de pendence associated with cigarette smoking. Abuse liability is defined as: (i) the likelihood of taking a substance repeatedly, taking into account both factors that are likely to increase use (e,g. faster onse t of pharmacodynamic effect) and factors that are likely to decrease u se (e.g. adverse effects); and (ii) the likelihood of adverse conseque nces (both long and short term). It can be concluded that most of the nicotine replacement therapies have lower abuse liability than tobacco cigarettes. Among the alternative therapies available, it would appea r that those with a slower onset (e.g. chewing gum and transdermal sys tems) are less likely to be abused than those with a faster onset. Exp erience with existing nicotine replacement therapies may be useful for future research into the development of new therapies.