A Cochrane review included 3 studies on silver acetate for smoking cessation. Two studies provided long-term follow-up (more than 6 months) data on smoking status in patients randomized to silver acetate or placebo. The combined OR for sustained abstinence at 12 months for silver acetate vs. placebo was 1.04 (95% CI 0.69 to 1.57; 2 studies, n=785). The main adverse effects reported were those expected from this aversive stimulus; unpleasant tastes and sensations in the mouth, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (unclear allocation concealment) and by imprecise results (few patients and wide confidence intervals).