Pharmacotherapeutic Management of Nicotine Dependence in Pregnancy

Smoking in pregnancy can cause serious adverse antenatal and postnatal morbidities, and a significant number of women continue to smoke in pregnancy despite these consequences. Early intervention in the form counseling from their physicians, pregnancy-specific self-help materials, counseling sessions with a health educator, and/or continued follow-up can result in better pregnancy outcomes and possibly long-term cessation. If a woman cannot quit despite these measures, pharmacotherapy can be considered. Currently, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), transdermal patches, and bupropion are used in pregnancy, but data on the safety and efficacy are largely lacking.