Even as you are reading this, advances are being made in
the field of medications designed to help you quit smoking.
As it happens, a new application as a stop smoking aid has
been found for a medication that has been around for some
time. While it won't eliminate all of your cravings by
itself, it can help. There is no panacea for smoking
cessation, but a little help can go a long way.
What is this drug, you ask? For its application as a
smoking cessation aid, it is being sold under the name
Zyban (the active ingredient is bupropion hydrochloride).
The same drug has been sold as an antidepressant under the
name Wellbutrin for quite some time now. Zyban is being
promoted as the first non-nicotine drug on the market to
treat addiction to nicotine.
Zyban works by boosting the levels in the brain of dopamine
and norepinephrine, which is the same effect that nicotine
has upon the brain. It mimics the action of nicotine, which
reduces cravings for cigarettes themselves.
Using this drug may give smokers the same sense of well
being as does nicotine, while being able to wean themselves
off of cigarettes. Many ex-smokers have had success with
this method of reducing the cravings. However, these pills
are far more effective when taken in conjunction with a
stop smoking program and changing ones behavior.
Research has suggested that this non-nicotine pill is more
effective in helping smokers to quit than the nicotine
patch. The pill and patch used together is a very effective
method for quitting cigarettes, but may increase blood
pressure.
It is recommended that Zyban be taken twice daily, in the
morning and evening. However, it takes about a week for
levels of the drug to build up to sufficient strength in
the body; for this reason, Zyban has to be started at least
a week before actually quitting. Most who take the pill for
smoking cessation set a date to quit within one and two
weeks of beginning the medication, and stay on it for two
to three months.
This non-nicotine pill is not an over the counter
medication, and is available by prescription only. A doctor
should be consulted first in any case, as Zyban is not for
everyone. You should not take Zyban if you are:
* Pregnant or currently nursing.
* Someone who has a history of eating disorders (e.g.
bulimia or anorexia nervosa.)
* Currently taking or have recently taken a MAO medication
for depression.
* Already taking Wellbutrin, or other medicines containing
bupropion hydrochloride.
* Epileptic, or suffering from any other seizure disorder.
Caution: Seizures disorders are a special concern.
Bupropion is known to cause seizures in about 1 out of
every 1,000 people taking the drug. More commonly reported
side effects include dry mouth and insomnia.
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Grab more tips and information on the topic of how to stop
smoking by visiting http://www.onlinestopsmokingtips.com .
There you will discover encouragement to help you quit
smoking, ways to quit, and why smoking is bad for your
health.
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