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A treatment for narcolepsy could help people give up smoking, according to a
patent filed by pharmaceuticals giant Glaxo Wellcome (WO 99/25355). Glaxo’s
researchers have found that a compound developed for the treatment of
narcolepsy-cataplexy syndrome and depression has the surprising effect of
countering addiction to nicotine. The compound, containing complex fluorophenyl
groups, can either be administered by mouth or injected. Glaxo admits it is not
yet sure how the drug works, but believes it affects one particular group of
neurotransmitters.