Smoking cessation medicines and e-cigarettes: a systematic review, network meta-analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis

Review of 363 trials (total n=201,045) found varenicline plus nicotine replacement therapy (OR 5.75, 95% credible interval 2.27 to 14.90) was ranked first for sustained abstinence, followed by e-cigarette (3.22, 0.97 to 12.60), although these estimates have high uncertainty.

SPS commentary:

There was a high level of uncertainty about the most cost-effective intervention, although all were cost-effective compared with nicotine replacement therapy at the £20,000 per quality-adjusted life-year threshold.

Authors note although the combined therapy of nicotine replacement therapy and varenicline at standard doses was the most effective treatment, this is currently unlicensed for use in the UK.

Source:

National Institute for Health Research