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Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence

Aka: Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence

Indications: Assessment of Tobacco addiction
1. Tobacco Cessation counseling in Tobacco abuse
2. Nicotine Replacement dosing
History: Questions (abbreviated version)
1. How soon after waking do you smoke first Cigarette?
  1. Time less than 5 minutes: 3 points
  2. Time 5 to 30 minutes: 2 points
  3. Time 31 to 60 minutes: 1 point
2. How many Cigarettes do you smoke per day?
  1. Cigarettes more than 30 per day: 3 points
  2. Cigarettes 21 to 30 per day: 2 points
  3. Cigarettes 11 to 20 per day: 1 point
Interpretation
1. Heavy nicotine dependence: 5-6 points
  1. Consider 21 mg Nicotine Patch
2. Moderate nicotine dependence: 3-4 points
  1. Consider 14 mg Nicotine Patch
3. Light nicotine dependence: 0-2 points
  1. Consider 7 mg Nicotine Patch or no patch
References
1. Heatherton (1991) Br J Addict 86:1119-27

Family Practice Notebook

Patients should address specific medical concerns with their physicians.

Although access to this page is not restricted, the information found here is intended for use by medical providers.

This page was written by Scott Moses, MD, last revised on 6/30/2009 and last published on 5/14/2013.

This is one of 5887 pages in the Family Practice Notebook