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The effectiveness of naltrexone combined with current smoking cessation medication to attenuate post smoking cessation weight gain: a literature review
Article Number: SIS731528AI231222
23rd December, 2022
Author(s):
Raewyn Rees, Ali Seyfoddin
Abstract:
Background: Smoking is the number one cause of preventable morbidity and mortality globally and although
many countries have invested heavily in smoking cessation programs, 21% of the global population still smoke.
Post cessation weight gain has been identified as a barrier to attempting cessation and is implicated in the high
rates of relapse. Naltrexone has been touted as a possible solution to address post smoking cessation weight gain.
Results: The results from seven original studies assessing the effectiveness of naltrexone in combination with
existing smoking cessation medications to attenuate post smoking cessation weight gain were obtained and
critically reviewed. Five returned positive results and two returned results that were statistically insignificant. The
positive results were seen more often in those identified as more likely to exhibit hedonic eating behaviour for
example women and participants who were categorised as overweight or obese.
Conclusion: The evidence suggests further investigation in to a combination of naltrexone and approved smoking
cessation medications is warranted and could provide a solution to attenuate post smoking cessation weight gain
especially in women and those classified as overweight or obese. This may provide the tool required to remove a
perceived barrier to smoking cessation and improve global statistics.