Pharmacist Information Hub
The role of therapeutic vaping in pharmacy
Pharmacists are the first point of contact on therapeutic vaping
Patients are directed to pharmacists, rather than GPs, as their first point of contact for information about therapeutic vaping.
As well as those seeking access, pharmacists will increasingly see patients who are interested in learning about therapeutic vaping and whether it is appropriate for them.
Why does therapeutic vaping enable a different approach to smoking cessation?
For many, tobacco dependence is a chronic relapsing disorder.
Vapes may be the ideal tool for a chronic management approach that prioritises ending a patient’s exposure to smoke urgently and permanently as the initial priority, while accepting that patients may require a longer timeframe and ongoing support to break their nicotine dependence.
Since vapes can act as a direct replacement for cigarettes, they lessen the requirement for patients to (i) be ‘highly motivated’ , or (ii) surrender the social and behavioural aspects of smoking, in the initial stages of the cessation attempt.
This staged approach of using vapes for smoking cessation:
- Allows patients to be free from the harms of smoking initially; and
- After a period of use as a direct replacement for cigarettes, lessens the risk of smoking relapse when patients attempt complete abstinence
Understanding the role of nicotine concentration
Nicotine delivery from vaping products is primarily determined by the nicotine concentration and device characteristics – principally the device’s power.
Understanding how S3 products deliver nicotine is critical to determining whether they are likely to be appropriate to meet the nicotine dependence needs of your patient.
Refer to these guides as a general rule of thumb regarding the amount of nicotine delivered by S3 and S4 vapes.
S3
20 mg/mL and under
S3 vapes are approximately equivalent to that provided by nicotine replacement therapies (NRT), such as patches and gums
S4
50 mg/mL and under
S4 vapes, and particularly those between 40 and 50 mg/mL, deliver nicotine in a manner comparable to cigarettes
Will S3 vapes be suitable for all patients?
Historically, c.90% of all Nicovape® Q products prescribed have been at more than 20 mg/mL concentrations.
However, S3 vapes will act as an important tool for pharmacists when they first discuss therapeutic vaping with their patients.
Many patients will require continued access to higher concentration vapes for them to remain smoke-free or to ensure they do not seek illicit vapes.
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Important links
Therapeutic Goods Administration
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia
References
- PSA Professional Practice Standard 1: https://www.psa.org.au/practice-support-industry/pps/
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iNRT Healthcare is operated by Liber Pharmaceuticals for the purpose of furthering healthcare education regarding Nicotine Vaping Products (NVPs) within the Australian medical framework. Liber has no affiliation with the tobacco industry, their affiliates, or any organisations or individuals engaged in lobbying on their behalf.
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