How Prescriptions Can Help You Quit Smoking

There have been many medical advances made in the past twenty years to help those who need to quit. If you have tried to quit but have not had success with other methods of cessation, talking to your doctor may prove to be a great option for you. Your doctor can prescribe a few different options to help you quit smoking. There are a few different drugs that act in different ways to help you achieve your ultimate goal.

Nicotine Replacement
There are a handful of medications on the market that are nicotine replacement. They do the same thing as nicotine gum or a nicotine patch. You will be able to quit smoking, but still have the nicotine addiction. Nicotrol, one of the most noted brands, offers a nasal spray and an inhaler for nicotine delivery while Habitrol offers a prescription patch. There are also a few over the counter versions of the patch as well as nicotine gum. Using a nicotine replacement can help you break the habit of smoking cigarettes while slowly weaning yourself off of the nicotine. Your doctor will most likely put you on a step-down program to accomplish this. Nicotine replacement has shown a lot of success for those who want to quit.

Non-nicotine Replacement
Some of the newest forms of smoking cessation programs are those that perform the same response in the brain as the nicotine without the nicotine. Varenicline, found in Chantix, one of the newest medications available, does not contain nicotine but interacts with the same receptors in the brain that the nicotine would. Once the Varenicline has intercepted the receptors, the nicotine is blocked. This type of medication will help to break the “pleasure cycle” in the smoking habit. After all, if it wasn’t so enjoyable, would you do it? Varenicline is generally started at least one week prior to quitting smoking and continued for around three months for full effectiveness. This new form of battling nicotine addiction has a lot of promise for those who have had trouble with other methods of smoking cessation.

Anti-Depressants
As odd as it may sound, some drugs previously prescribe to treat depression have had success in helping people quit smoking. The Drug bupropion hydrochloride, found in Wellbutrin and Zyban, work by easing the nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The bupropion hydrochloride boosts chemical levels in the brain, which eases the withdrawals and decreases the urge to smoke in most people. This treatment process also begins while still smoking. You will begin approximately one to two weeks before actually quitting smoking and continue for a few months.

Turn Your Life Around
Quitting smoking is truly one of the most difficult things to do. But with so many options, the goal is becoming easier for more people to accomplish. If prescription drugs are the right course for you, you should talk to your doctor. Each drug has side-effects that your doctor will share with you. But this is a great tool that can help turn your life around. Take advantage of the many choices you have today and change your life for the healthier.