Pills Used to Stop Smoking

Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. Smokers become physically addicted to the nicotine, and emotionally addicted to the smoking habit in general. Smoking can cause numerous health risks to smokers and those around the smoke. The US Surgeon General has said, "Smoking cessation [stopping smoking] represents the single most important step that smokers can take to enhance the length and quality of their lives." The decision to stop smoking is an easy one, but following trough with it is hard.

Chantix

• Chantix is a pill that can help you quit smoking. Nicotine travels to receptors in the brain. This triggers another part of the brain to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain that is associated with the pleasure response. Chantix blocks the nicotine from reaching these receptors. This helps eliminate the pleasure, cravings, and addiction to nicotine. Some smokers experience less withdrawal symptoms by using Chantix. These factors allow many smokers to quit for good.

Zyban

• Zyban was first marketed as the anti-depressant Wellbutrin. While taking the anti-depressant, smokers reported that they were losing the desire to smoke. This discovery led to the product being repackaged and marketed as a stop smoking pill.. Zyban helps reduce the craving for a cigarette. It also helps reduce several withdrawal symptoms. These include anxiety, irritability, frustration, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Treatment is started while you are still smoking. Once you reach the date you set to stop smoking, you will continue taking Zyban for a period to combat the withdrawal symptoms.

Effects

• Both of the pills that can be prescribed to help you stop smoking have side effects. Zyban can cause dry mouth, sleep problems, and in some patients can cause seizures. Chantix can cause drowsiness, sleep problems, vivid or strange dreams, constipation, and gas. Some people may experience more severe side effects while taking Chantix. These can include depression, changes in behavior and thoughts of suicide.

Benefits

• Unlike other methods used to quit smoking, the pills do not contain nicotine. This gives your body a chance to adjust to the absence of the nicotine, while the pills help relieve the withdrawal symptoms. This makes the process of quitting less stressful, more comfortable and more manageable for the smoker.

Facts

• According to the American Cancer Society, your health begins to improve within minutes of stopping smoking. Twelve hours after you quit, the carbon monoxide level in your body drops to a normal level. 2 weeks to 3 months after you stop smoking, your circulation has improved and you will have increased lung function. After 1 year of not smoking, your risk of coronary heart disease decreases to half the risk of when you were still smoking.