Chantix, Zyban and Quitting Smoking: New Developments

Meet Chantix, the newest aide to quit smoking. Unlike other stop smoking drugs on the market, Chantix is nicotine free-one of only two given the FDA's approval. 

Researchers have found that the nicotine receptor subtype is the main cause for smoker's addictions. It releases dopamine into the system. Chantix works against this.The treatment runs for approximately twelve weeks on the drug, and the smoking should subside. After the first treatment, another twelve weeks is suggested to keep the patient from relapsing.

Chantix is the latest breakthrough to aide in quitting smoking. The first nicotine-free drug approved by the FDA was Zyban. Also known at Buproprion. Rather than using nicotine, it uses the buproprion(also known as Wellbutrin) to boost chemical levels in the brain. By increasing these levels, the temptaion or craving for nicotine is greatly reduced. It is interesting to note that one out of every one thousand people taking Zyban have experience seizures, and you can still use nicotine patches while taking the medication (though this will raise your blood pressure).

If you have tried to quit smoking, you know how hard it can be. It is hard because nicotine is a very addictive drug. For some people, it can be as addictive as heroin or cocaine. Quitting is hard. Usually people make 2 or 3 tries, or more, before finally being able to quit. Each time you try to quit, you can learn about what helps and what hurts.

Both of these medications have amazing results when combined with a stop smoking support group. If you are looking for a group in your area, call 1800QUITNOW. Quitting with a little help from these medications could be the best thing you ever did for yourself and your family. Good luck!

Some Resources:
American Heart Association
7272 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75231
(800) AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

American Cancer Society
1599 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30329
(404) 320-3333

American Lung Association
1740 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10019
(212) 315-8700

National Cancer Institute
Bethesda, MD 20892
(800) 4-CANCER (422-6237)