Does Celexa Help in Smoking Cessation? (+3 drugs that do)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
This article aims to provide an accurate and informative overview of Celexa’s potential for smoking cessation, exploring the scientific studies that investigated this matter. The article also mentions other medications that are licensed as aids for smoking cessation and then recommends additional complementary approaches that can be very helpful in this process.
Does Celexa help in smoking cessation?
No, celexa does not help in smoking cessation, according to what clinical evidence suggests.
Celexa is approved by the FDA to treat Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adults. It has a lot of off-label uses like treating anxiety, body dysmorphic disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, etc., and aiding in quitting smoking is not one of them.
In the quest to quit smoking, make sure to contact a healthcare provider. Many options are available, including pharmaceutical interventions and other approaches. It is important to only choose effective protocols, as taking medications that don’t provide any significant benefits (like Celexa) only predisposes one to avoidable side effects.
Studies about Celexa’s potential use in smoke cessation:
Scientific studies and clinical trials have investigated the effectiveness of different antidepressants, including Celexa, in smoking cessation. Unfortunately, most of the studies discovered that Celexa does not provide any significant benefit for smokers seeking to quit [1].
A study was conducted to assess Bupropion and Citalopram’s efficacy in smoke cessation during pregnancy. The researchers compared the reduction in smoked cigarettes per day between subjects taking Bupropion, subjects taking Citalopram, and subjects who were not taking any anti-depressant medication.
Results indicate that Citalopram could potentially decrease the chances of a patient successfully quitting smoking. The control group (not taking antidepressants) showed a greater decrease in daily cigarettes (−5.3 cigarettes/day) in comparison to the group administering Citalopram (−0.4 cigarettes/day) [2].
What drugs are approved for smoking cessation?
Drugs that have substantially helped in quitting smoking include:
Bupropion
It is the only anti-depressant drug that is approved as first-line therapy for smoking cessation. It exhibits dopaminergic and adrenergic effects and has shown antagonistic properties at the nicotinic receptor [3].
The typical dosing regimen for smoking cessation involves taking 150 mg once daily for three days, followed by an increase to 150 mg twice daily for 7 to 12 weeks. Attempting to quit smoking usually begins one week after starting this therapy [4].
Some common side effects of bupropion may include dry mouth, headache, anxiety, shaking, insomnia, nausea, and dizziness.
Varenicline
It is licensed as a first-line pharmacotherapy as well. Its monotherapy demonstrated superior effectiveness in promoting smoking cessation in comparison to bupropion.
The combination of varenicline with bupropion, however, has shown more efficacious results in achieving abstinence compared to varenicline alone. In fact, this combination shows promising potential to become the best intervention for smoking cessation [5].
Side effects of varenicline may include nausea, nightmares, headache, trouble sleeping, and changes in taste.
Nortriptyline
The tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline is the second most studied antidepressant drug for quitting smoking, after bupropion. It is occasionally prescribed in cases where first‐line treatments have failed.
The recommended treatment plan involves titrating for 10 to 28 days prior to the quit attempt, then administering a dose of 75 to 100 mg daily for 12 weeks [4].
Unfortunately, nortriptyline may cause dry mouth, drowsiness, blurred vision, constipation, and confusion.
Other approaches to quit smoking
Below are examples of strategies that can help quit smoking:
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
NRT involves the use of nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, or nasal sprays to gradually reduce nicotine addiction. Different forms of NRT can be used as a short-term aid to alleviate withdrawal symptoms during the quitting process.
Behavioral therapies
Counseling, support groups, and behavioral therapies can help individuals cope with triggers, manage cravings, and develop healthier habits. These approaches often involve learning stress management techniques, identifying triggers, and setting goals to reduce or quit smoking.
Alternative therapies
Some individuals explore alternative therapies like acupuncture or hypnosis as adjuncts to traditional smoking cessation methods.
combination therapies
Combining different approaches, such as medication-based treatments with behavioral therapy or NRT, can enhance the chances of successful smoking cessation.
Conclusion
Celexa has not shown any potential as a smoking cessation aid. It is highly recommended that people who are aiming to quit smoking choose more efficient medications like Bupropion, Varenicline, and Nortriptyline.
They may also explore alternative treatments and complementary approaches like behavioral therapy, nicotine replacement therapy, and counseling. Combining these approaches with medications may enhance the chances of success.
It is also important to consult with healthcare professionals or smoking cessation specialists to determine the most suitable approach. Quitting smoking is a personal journey, and finding the right combination of strategies can make the process better.
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References
1.-
Espanol E, Kelsberg G, Safranek S. Clinical Inquiry: Does any antidepressant besides bupropion help smokers quit? J Fam Pract. 2014 Nov;63(11):680-1, 688. PMID: 25362498 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25362498/.
3.-
Fryer JD, Lukas RJ. Noncompetitive functional inhibition at diverse, human nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes by bupropion, phencyclidine, and ibogaine. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 1999;288:88‐92. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9862757/
4.-
Hughes JR, Stead LF, Hartmann-Boyce J, Cahill K, Lancaster T. Antidepressants for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014 Jan 8;2014(1):CD000031. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD000031.pub4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7027688/
5.-
Guo K, Zhou L, Shang X, Yang C, E F, Wang Y, Xu M, Wu Y, Li Y, Li M, Yang K, Li X. Varenicline and related interventions on smoking cessation: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2022 Dec 1;241:109672. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109672. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36332593/
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