Nicotine dependence

Treatment Phase: Commencement of a short-term (9 weeks) course of treatment

Clinical criteria:

  • The treatment must be as an aid to achieving abstinence from smoking,

AND

  • The treatment must be the sole PBS-subsidised therapy for this condition,

AND

  • Patient must have indicated they are ready to cease smoking,

AND

  • Patient must not receive more than 9 weeks of PBS-subsidised treatment with this drug per 12-month period.

Treatment criteria:

  • Patient must be undergoing concurrent counselling for smoking cessation through a comprehensive support and counselling program or is about to enter such a program at the time PBS-subsidised treatment is initiated.

Details of the support and counselling program must be documented in the patient's medical records at the time treatment is initiated.

Note

Clinical review is recommended within 2 to 3 weeks of the original prescription being requested.

Note

The period between commencing a course of bupropion hydrochloride and varenicline tartrate must be at least 6 months.

Note

A patient may only qualify for PBS-subsidised treatment under this treatment phase restriction once during a short-term course of treatment.

Note

No increase in the maximum quantity or number of units may be authorised.

Note

No increase in the maximum number of repeats may be authorised.