In addition, two pharmacotherapy strategies show promise and merit further research. One is the α4β2 nicotinic receptor partial agonist, cystisine, which tripled cessation success at 12 months post-treatment in a recent randomized clinical trial38. Second, is use of the nicotine patch for 2 or more weeks prior to the quit day (Table 3)39,40. Six extant randomized clinical trials suggest that it may increase 6-month abstinence rates about 25% over those obtained without prequit patch use40, but effects have been variable40.
