You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.
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Your doctor may prescribe varenicline (Chantix) or bupropion (Zyban) to help you cope with cravings for tobacco. These medicines are pills that don't contain nicotine. You also can use nicotine replacement products, which do contain nicotine.
Nicotine replacement gives your body some nicotine to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Nicotine is addictive. But this treatment has about one-third to one-half the amount of nicotine in most cigarettes. It also delivers the nicotine slowly, so it rarely causes addiction. And these products don't have the harmful tars, carbon monoxide, and other toxic chemicals that are in tobacco.
There are several types of nicotine replacement:
Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol) is another nicotine replacement. But because of its side effects, it is not widely used. See your doctor about this medicine.
You can buy nicotine gum, patches, and lozenges without a prescription. You need a prescription to buy inhalers. You may be able to use a couple of these products at the same time, such as a patch and gum. But talk to your doctor first to make sure it's okay to mix nicotine medicines. People younger than age 18 can't buy the over-the-counter products, but a doctor may prescribe them.
Talk to your doctor if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant and want to stop smoking.
If you have a health condition, such as mental illness or heart problems, or if you take medicine for a mental health problem, be sure to talk to your doctor before you use nicotine replacement products.
Medicines can double your chances of quitting.footnote 1
The most common side effects of varenicline (Chantix) include:
Some people also have side effects such as headaches and dizziness.
Chantix may be linked with a small increase in risk for heart problems (including heart attack). Call your doctor if you have any cardiovascular disease symptoms that are new or getting worse, such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, calf pain when walking, or sudden onset of weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking.
Some people who take bupropion SR (Zyban) have:
There is a small risk of having seizures when you use bupropion. The risk increases if you have had a head injury or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. When you stop smoking, there may be a change in how other medicines work for you.
The side effects depend on the type of nicotine replacement product.
There is a small chance of addiction with the gum or lozenges.
Your doctor might recommend that you use medicine to stop smoking if:
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These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
I started smoking when I was in the military. But it is affecting my health, and I want to quit. I've tried the patch, gum, and cold-turkey methods to quit, and they didn't work. So I talked with my doctor about quitting, and he suggested that I try using Chantix. He also recommended that I have counseling and join a support group. It's been a little over a month since I started Chantix, and so far it is helping with my craving to smoke. Talking in counseling is also helpful. I think I finally am going to be able to quit.
Dave, age 42
I thought about taking medicine to quit smoking, but I already take several other medicines for health problems. I just didn't want to take another prescription medicine and take the chance that it might cause problems. So I decided to try the nicotine patch. I set a date and started planning for the physical effects of quitting, like having munchies around and cleaning my car and house. I started with the largest patch available. It was great because the withdrawal symptoms were hardly noticeable. Then I went to the medium patch and finally the smallest patch. Now I don't smoke anymore.
Alanna, age 44
I started smoking at 15. I always thought I could quit at any time and had tried to quit dozens of times. But then I'd start craving a smoke, and I'd go back to cigarettes. A few years ago, my doctor suggested I try taking Zyban and nicotine gum. It was great, because between the pills and the gum, the withdrawal symptoms were hardly noticeable. I was done with the gum after the first few weeks, but I ended up staying on the pills for 6 months. But using both worked for me, and I haven't smoked for 2 years.
Carlo, age 52
My friends pushed me to quit smoking and suggested I talk to my doctor about getting some medicine to help. But I just wasn't comfortable with the idea of taking medicine. I have a strong will, and when I put my mind to doing something, I can usually do it. So I took my doctor's advice to have professional counseling to help improve my chances of success. I quit smoking—cold turkey—5 months ago. All my friends are really surprised that I could quit like that. It has been tough at times fighting the cravings, but it has worked.
Kesia, age 35
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to use medicine to quit smoking
Reasons not to use medicine
I want to use medicine if it can increase my chances of quitting.
I don't like using medicine.
I'm not concerned about possible side effects.
I am very concerned about side effects.
I'm not worried about how I will pay for the medicine.
I'm worried about how I will pay for the medicine.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Using medicine
NOT using medicine
Check the facts
Decide what's next
Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
| Author | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | John Hughes MD - Psychiatry |
Your doctor may prescribe varenicline (Chantix) or bupropion (Zyban) to help you cope with cravings for tobacco. These medicines are pills that don't contain nicotine. You also can use nicotine replacement products, which do contain nicotine.
Nicotine replacement gives your body some nicotine to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Nicotine is addictive. But this treatment has about one-third to one-half the amount of nicotine in most cigarettes. It also delivers the nicotine slowly, so it rarely causes addiction. And these products don't have the harmful tars, carbon monoxide, and other toxic chemicals that are in tobacco.
There are several types of nicotine replacement:
Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol) is another nicotine replacement. But because of its side effects, it is not widely used. See your doctor about this medicine.
You can buy nicotine gum, patches, and lozenges without a prescription. You need a prescription to buy inhalers. You may be able to use a couple of these products at the same time, such as a patch and gum. But talk to your doctor first to make sure it's okay to mix nicotine medicines. People younger than age 18 can't buy the over-the-counter products, but a doctor may prescribe them.
Talk to your doctor if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant and want to stop smoking.
If you have a health condition, such as mental illness or heart problems, or if you take medicine for a mental health problem, be sure to talk to your doctor before you use nicotine replacement products.
Medicines can double your chances of quitting.1
The most common side effects of varenicline (Chantix) include:
Some people also have side effects such as headaches and dizziness.
Chantix may be linked with a small increase in risk for heart problems (including heart attack). Call your doctor if you have any cardiovascular disease symptoms that are new or getting worse, such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, calf pain when walking, or sudden onset of weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking.
Some people who take bupropion SR (Zyban) have:
There is a small risk of having seizures when you use bupropion. The risk increases if you have had a head injury or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take. When you stop smoking, there may be a change in how other medicines work for you.
The side effects depend on the type of nicotine replacement product.
There is a small chance of addiction with the gum or lozenges.
Your doctor might recommend that you use medicine to stop smoking if:
| Use medicines to quit smoking | Don't use medicines | |
|---|---|---|
| What is usually involved? |
|
|
| What are the benefits? |
|
|
| What are the risks and side effects? |
|
|
These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
"I started smoking when I was in the military. But it is affecting my health, and I want to quit. I've tried the patch, gum, and cold-turkey methods to quit, and they didn't work. So I talked with my doctor about quitting, and he suggested that I try using Chantix. He also recommended that I have counseling and join a support group. It's been a little over a month since I started Chantix, and so far it is helping with my craving to smoke. Talking in counseling is also helpful. I think I finally am going to be able to quit."
— Dave, age 42
"I thought about taking medicine to quit smoking, but I already take several other medicines for health problems. I just didn't want to take another prescription medicine and take the chance that it might cause problems. So I decided to try the nicotine patch. I set a date and started planning for the physical effects of quitting, like having munchies around and cleaning my car and house. I started with the largest patch available. It was great because the withdrawal symptoms were hardly noticeable. Then I went to the medium patch and finally the smallest patch. Now I don't smoke anymore."
— Alanna, age 44
"I started smoking at 15. I always thought I could quit at any time and had tried to quit dozens of times. But then I'd start craving a smoke, and I'd go back to cigarettes. A few years ago, my doctor suggested I try taking Zyban and nicotine gum. It was great, because between the pills and the gum, the withdrawal symptoms were hardly noticeable. I was done with the gum after the first few weeks, but I ended up staying on the pills for 6 months. But using both worked for me, and I haven't smoked for 2 years."
— Carlo, age 52
"My friends pushed me to quit smoking and suggested I talk to my doctor about getting some medicine to help. But I just wasn't comfortable with the idea of taking medicine. I have a strong will, and when I put my mind to doing something, I can usually do it. So I took my doctor's advice to have professional counseling to help improve my chances of success. I quit smoking—cold turkey—5 months ago. All my friends are really surprised that I could quit like that. It has been tough at times fighting the cravings, but it has worked."
— Kesia, age 35
"The first time I tried to quit, I went cold turkey. It only lasted a week. The next time I tried some kind of gum. This was in the '70s or '80s, so it was whatever kind of gum was available then, probably not the same as nicotine gum now. I quit smoking for a year that time, but I always craved cigarettes. The third time was right before I turned 60. I used Zyban and the nicotine patch for 6 weeks. I'm amazed at how well it worked. I have had no cravings for cigarettes, even from the very first day when I had my morning coffee. My father-in-law told me that, even 20 years after quitting, he still craved cigarettes every day, so that's what I was expecting. I didn't even throw away my cigarettes because I didn't expect it to work, but it worked incredibly well."
— Roy, age 63
"I started smoking at 13. I always thought I could quit at any time. But at 33 I was smoking a pack a day and had tried to quit dozens of times. I tried cold turkey. I was so grumpy I made a waiter cry. I tried hypnosis. It didn't work. I tried nicotine gum. It didn't work either. Finally, I tried the patch. I started with the largest one available. It was great because the withdrawal symptoms were hardly noticeable. Then I went to the medium patch and finally the smallest patch. I was really nervous about taking off that last patch. But I'd tapered off the nicotine so much that I had no withdrawal symptoms. That was nearly 12 years ago and I'm still smoke-free."
— Nancy, age 46
"Cigarettes were my best friend. They went on all my traveling adventures and they were there for me when I needed them, through heartbreaks, frustrations, and new jobs—20 years of companionship. I set a date and started planning. I bit the bullet and sent an e-mail out to all my friends and family, and I was floored by the support I got. A friend recommended acupuncture, so I made an appointment. For added incentive, I added daily exercise and a dog to my "new life." It has been 4 months and I am still a nonsmoker. I had daily cravings for the first 2 weeks, but now I go entire days without even thinking about cigarettes. If I ever start feeling on the edge, I will head right back to the acupuncturist for a tune-up!"
— Leta, age 35
"I quit smoking cold turkey 3 months ago. All my friends are really surprised that I quit. I mean, I would wake up every 2 hours at night to smoke a cigarette. People just identified me with smoking. I finally decided it was time to quit when I couldn't catch my breath walking up stairs. Other than gaining a few pounds, it really hasn't been bad."
— Ian, age 52
Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements.
Reasons to use medicine to quit smoking
Reasons not to use medicine
I want to use medicine if it can increase my chances of quitting.
I don't like using medicine.
I'm not concerned about possible side effects.
I am very concerned about side effects.
I'm not worried about how I will pay for the medicine.
I'm worried about how I will pay for the medicine.
My other important reasons:
My other important reasons:
Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now.
Using medicine
NOT using medicine
1. Using medicine can double my chances of quitting smoking.
2. My chances of quitting are even better if I get counseling along with using medicine.
3. I shouldn't use nicotine replacement products, because they're just as bad as the nicotine in cigarettes.
1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision?
2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | John Hughes MD - Psychiatry |
Current as of: February 11, 2021
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Elizabeth T. Russo MD - Internal Medicine & Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine & John Hughes MD - Psychiatry
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