The Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Rzeszów is one of the world’s leading research centres studying cytisine, a natural medication used in the treatment of nicotine dependence.

Thanks to research conducted under the direction of Professor Piotr Tutka global interest in cytisine has increased significantly in recent years. The drug is now recognised as an effective, safe, and affordable (over-the-counter) alternative to existing, often costly and prescription-based pharmacotherapies.

The popularisation of cytisine has also been strongly influenced by Professor Tutka’s extensive outreach activities. Between 2011 and 2021, he delivered over 50 lectures on cytisine to scientists, healthcare professionals, and smokers in Poland and abroad.

According to experts, the wider use of cytisine has been one of the key factors—if not the most important—in reducing smoking rates in Poland. Among those who have successfully overcome nicotine addiction, the risk of premature death associated with continued smoking has been reduced by approximately 90%, accompanied by a marked improvement in quality of life, both physically and mentally.

Only a few years ago, cytisine was registered in just four EU countries. Today, it is approved across most of Europe, as well as in Canada and Australia. For example, the registration of Recigar, one of the Polish cytisine formulations, in Ukraine and Russia has made low-cost and effective smoking-cessation therapy accessible to over 11 million smokers in Ukraine and more than 56 million smokers in Russia. Efforts are now well advanced to obtain cytisine registration in the United States.

Innovative research on cytisine at the University of Rzeszów is conducted across multiple levels — from medical chemistry, analytical studies, and preclinical behavioural research, to clinical trials — in collaboration with numerous national and international research centres.

The Medical Research Agency of Poland has awarded the University of Rzeszów PLN 25 million through two grants to support further studies on cytisine, including its effectiveness in treating e-cigarette dependence.

A major recent achievement has been the inclusion of cytisine on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. The WHO’s recognition of cytisine’s importance opens the way for its global adoption as a first-line treatment for tobacco dependence.

One of the contributors to the documentation submitted to the WHO was Professor Piotr Tutka from the University of Rzeszów.

Professor Piotr Tutka