University of Wisconsin–Madison

Month: January 2017

Can Smartphone Games Help Smokers Quit?

(Status: Data under analysis for dissemination) Most smokers who try to quit do not succeed. Even if they use evidence-based treatment, only approximately 10% to 30% achieve long-term abstinence. It is known that strong craving for cigarettes is a powerful reason many smokers fail in their quit attempts. Unfortunately, medication and cessation counseling are only …

FDA Removes Boxed Warnings from 2 Quit-Smoking Medications

The FDA has removed the boxed warning regarding serious neuropsychiatric events from two stop-smoking medicines, varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Zyban). Based on a review of a large clinical trial, FDA has determined the risk of serious side effects on mood, behavior, or thinking is lower than previously suspected. The risk of these mental health side effects is still …