The Synergistic Effect of Acupuncture and Oral Cytisine for Smoking Cessation: A Case Report

Abstract

Conventional smoking cessation methods, including pharmacological treatments and nicotine replacement therapy, may not suit all patients. This case report evaluates the efficacy and safety of a combined therapeutic approach involving acupuncture and oral administration of cytisine—a plant-derived alkaloid—for smoking cessation in a 57-year-old female with Sjögren’s syndrome. The patient, who had a long history of smoking, was treated with a 25-day program involving three acupuncture sessions and daily oral intake of cytisine. The patient successfully quit smoking within three days of initiating the treatment and remained abstinent for six months, with no adverse effects reported. She adhered fully to the treatment protocol and expressed her satisfaction with the results. This case highlights the potential of combining acupuncture with cytisine as a viable alternative for smoking cessation. Further research with larger sample sizes and extended follow-up periods is needed to validate these findings and explore the broader applicability of this therapeutic approach.