Drugs Used for Stop Smoking Treatment

Bupropion  is an antidepressant.  It has been proven to be effective in treating nicotine addiction by helping smokers deal with the anxiety that occurs when trying to stop smoking.  Doctors prescribe bupropion to treat depression. The way bupropion helps people cope with cravings is not entirely known.

You start taking bupropion daily about 1 to 2 weeks before you quit smoking. This builds up the level of medicine in your body. You keep taking bupropion for 7 to 12 weeks after you stop using tobacco. You can take it for as long as 6 months to a year.  Studies show that using bupropion is effective in approximately 30% of people trying to stop smoking.

Common Side Effects:

• dry mouth
• trouble sleeping
• a small risk of having seizures

VARENICLINE (CHANTIX^®)

Varenicline has been developed specifically to assist adults who are trying to stop smoking.  It works by both stimulating and blocking nicotine receptors in the brain. The stimulation of these receptors is believed to mimic the effects of nicotine and thereby reduce cravings.  Blocking the receptors means preventing the nicotine from binding to them, helping to reduce the addictive power of nicotine. So while you still receive a pleasurable feeling by the release of dopamine from the stimualtion, the nicotine (which normally produces this effect) is blocked, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Varenicline should not be taken with any other quit smoking products such as nicotine replacement therapy.  As with all new drugs, discuss your medical situation with your doctor including all the medications you are presently taking.  Your doctor can then advise you about taking varenicline safely.

By taking a 1mg tablet twice a day, it has been shown to reduce the urge to smoke.  This effect greatly assists your efforts to stop smoking.  If taken over a 12 week course, studies have shown Chantix to be 44% effective.

Common Side Effects:

• nausea
• sleep disturbance (trouble sleeping, changes in dreaming)
• constipation
• gas
• vomiting

 Zyban - Consumer Drug Information