Drugs to Help People Stop Smoking

Medications are one way to ease the transition away from cigarettes once you decide to stop smoking. Nicotine causes a very powerful addiction. Most people aren't successful when they try to quit on their own. However, certain drugs improve the chances of quitting successfully in both the short and long term. They work by minimizing nicotine withdrawal symptoms as well as making it less enjoyable to smoke a cigarette.

Nicotine Replacement

• There are a variety of forms of nicotine replacement therapy, including Nicorette gum, Nicoderm CQ patches, Nicotrol nose spray and Commit lozenges.

Zyban

• Zyban is a prescription drug that should be started a week or two before quitting smoking. It's also sold as an antidepressant under the brand name Welbutrin, and it contains the active ingredient buproprion.

Chantix

• Chantix is a prescription medication that comes in tablet form, and it should be started one week before your quit date. It's suspected of causing mental health problems in some people.

Side Effects

• Nausea, constipation, dry mouth, lack of appetite and insomnia are the most common side effects of these drugs. These side effects should be weighed against the potential health benefits of stopping smoking.

Considerations

• While drugs can help a person quit smoking, they don't completely eliminate cravings and other symptoms. Individuals still need to be committed to quitting to be successful.