Pregnant women might not be receiving nicotine replacement therapy long enough to quit smoking

A study led by UNSW Sydney revealed low usage of prescription quit smoking medicines like NRT among pregnant women, highlighting the need for more support to help them quit successfully. While counseling is recommended first, medicines like NRT are considered effective for quitting in the general population. Varenicline and bupropion are not recommended during pregnancy due to limited safety evidence. The study stresses the importance of better information for pregnant women and clinicians to make informed decisions about smoking cessation. More research is necessary to evaluate the safety of varenicline and bupropion for pregnant women.