A problem with nicotine replacement products is they only replace nicotine and ciggarette smoke has potent mono amine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. That prevent the break down of dopamine. So you simply can not get the same effect from the patches and gum.
http://www.biopsychiatry.com/smokemao.htm
That might suggest using a MAO inhibor could help.
[Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2002 Sep;163(2):213-20. Epub 2002 Jul 13.
Links
Effects of selegiline (L-deprenyl) during smoking and short-term abstinence.
Houtsmuller EJ, Thornton JA, Stitzer ML.
Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Bayview Medical Center, 5510 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224-6823, USA.
[email protected]RATIONALE: Changes in dopamine level are thought to play an important role in both smoking reward and withdrawal symptoms during abstinence. Medications that modulate dopamine levels may have beneficial effects on both withdrawal symptom levels and on response to smoking lapses during abstinence. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of the selective MAO-B inhibitor selegiline on withdrawal symptoms, smoking behavior and smoking satisfaction ratings. METHODS: Fifteen smokers received selegiline (10 mg/day) and placebo (in counterbalanced order) on Monday through Thursday of 2 study weeks, separated by a 2-week washout. During each study week, ad lib smoking sessions were scheduled to assess smoking behavior both before and after a brief period of abstinence. Subjective withdrawal symptoms and mood were measured daily, and a modified Stroop test sensitive to withdrawal was scheduled during the period of abstinence. RESULTS: Selegiline decreased craving, especially during abstinence, and impaired performance on the modified Stroop test during subjects' attempts to abstain. Medication also reduced number of cigarettes smoked and smoking satisfaction ratings during the smoking sessions both before and after the brief abstinence attempt. CONCLUSION: These results are consistent with an important role of dopamine in smoking behavior and abstinence. They suggest that pharmacological reduction of MAO-B levels during the early part of a quit attempt may aid in smoking cessation.
PMID: 12202968 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
You might could find a doctor to prescribe selegiline/deprenyl off label to treat smoking addiction and depression. Usually higher doses are needed for depression. I took 10 mg daily for many years (as an experimental treatment for social phobia). There is a new skin patch version of deprenyl for depression called EMSAM. Not sure if its current available in the US or not.
I taken wellbutrin in various dose upto the very high 500 mg daily. I was not impressed with its anti-depressant action myself but its worth a try to if your husband is desperate.
04 May 2007, 6:51 am
