How to Use Medicine to Quit Smoking Cigarettes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 70 percent of American smokers say they want to quit, but only five percent actually do each year. Some people go cold turkey or use nicotine replacements. Others consult with doctors and use medicine to quit smoking cigarettes. Whatever method a smoker uses, the goal is to become smoke free, with many healthy years left to enjoy life, family and friends. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Chose your stop smoking method. Cold turkey may work best for you or a nicotine patch could be just the edge you need to meet your goal. If you've tried several methods in the past with no success, don't hesitate to see your doctor for assistance. Using nicotine replacements and/or prescription medication doubles your chances of quitting cigarettes for good.
2. Try non-prescription nicotine replacement medications you can get over the counter. These include nicotine patches, gum, inhalers, nasal sprays and lozenges. Keep in mind all nicotine medications contain small doses of nicotine and you must use them according to package instructions.
3. Explore prescription non-nicotine medications if other methods have not worked. The most frequently prescribed is Bupropion SR, better known as Zyban, commonly used for depression. It is supposed to help with withdrawal symptoms and lessen the urge to smoke. Reported side affects have included difficulty sleeping and dry mouth/bad breath.
4. Check out carenicline, also known as Chantix, the newest FDA-approved medication for adult smokers wanting to quit. Nicotine replacements, Zyban and Chantix work by releasing small levels of dopamine into your brain. Chantix also block nicotine receptors in your brain, making cigarettes less pleasurable. Reported side effects include nausea, insomnia and abnormal dreams.
5. Ask your doctor about two other possible medications you can try if all others fail or if you can't take them for some reason. Nortriptyline, also known as Aventyl or Pamelor, is also used to treat depression. The other drug, Clonidine, known as Catapres, is usually prescribed to lower a patient's blood pressure. Talk with your doctor about side effects and effectiveness of these medications.

Tips & Warnings

• Some health insurance companies pay for all or part of the cost of nicotine replacements or prescription medicines used to stop smoking.
• If you've ever had a seizure or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should not use nicotine replacements or prescription medications to stop smoking. Instead, see your doctor for other stop smoking assistance.