Does Stopping Smoking Affect Medicine Absorption?
Many doctors request patients stop smoking when prescribing medicine, insinuating that smoking affects the function or absorption of the medicine.
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Research Findings on Smoking's Relation to Medicine Absorption
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There has been research as early as the 1970s suggesting cigarette smoking increases drug metabolism, rendering certain drugs less effective in heavy cigarette smokers.
Smoking Reduces Potency of Psychological Drugs
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Cigarette smoking decreases the effectiveness of antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and psycho-relaxants.
Specific Drugs Smoking Reduces Potency Of
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Smoking reduces the effectiveness of benzodiazepines, propoxyphene (Darvon), pentazocine (Talwin), diazepam (Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).
Cigarette smoking has no effect on phenobarbital effectiveness.
How Does Smoking Affect Drug Metabolism?
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The liver of heavy smokers produce enzymes that metabolize some types of drugs faster than in non-smoking individuals. Because of the much shorter duration of the medicine's presence in the body, the medicinal effects are diminished.
Stopping Smoking Will Affect Medicine Absorption
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If you are taking any of the medicines listed above, stopping smoking will improve absorption.
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