If you've made the decision to throw away your cigarettes, then you've most likely heard of the stop smoking pill. Its not a miracle drug and it isn't right for everyone. Some people have more of a problem with side effects than others and for some it doesn't address their needs.
There are 2 medications on the market, Zyban and Chantix. I'm going to concentrate on Chantix because it is more commonly used now and seems to be more effective for most people.
Here are some pros and cons of taking a quit smoking pill so you can make a decision if its right for you.
Pros.
A pill to help quit cigarettes is easy to take. Once or twice a day depending on the prescription and you're done.
Eases withdrawal symptoms of restlessness and depression by replacing nicotine's effect on the "pleasure" centers of your brain.
Chatnix offers a GetQuit program that offers online and phone support good for a year. This comes with every prescription as they recognize the psychological as well as physical addiction of smoking.
Is not a nicotine replacement therapy. The medication eases your symptoms of withdrawal without adding nicotine in another form.
Very effective when used properly. The drug has been shown to be 44% effective in blind testing.
Cons.
Smoking is both a physical and psychological addiction. The medication helps with some of the physical symptoms, but doesn't address the mental addiction. I found medication to be very effective when I used it in conjunction with behavior modification techniques.
There are side effects. Some of the more common ones are nausea, sleep problems, constipation, gas. You might experience some very vivid or weird dreams while taking Chantix.
Expense. The stop smoking pill is expensive and your insurance may not cover it.
The medication can only be obtained with a doctor's prescription and you should be under a doctor's care when taking it.
It may not work for you. Some people react badly to the medication and there's a small percentage of the population it just doesn't work for.
Talk to your doctor and find out of the stop smoking pill is a viable option for you or if another method would be more effective for you. No matter which option you choose be committed. There are many programs and aides to help you quit cigarettes, but none of them will work if you don't make up your own mind that this is what you want.
There are 2 medications on the market, Zyban and Chantix. I'm going to concentrate on Chantix because it is more commonly used now and seems to be more effective for most people.
Here are some pros and cons of taking a quit smoking pill so you can make a decision if its right for you.
Pros.
A pill to help quit cigarettes is easy to take. Once or twice a day depending on the prescription and you're done.
Eases withdrawal symptoms of restlessness and depression by replacing nicotine's effect on the "pleasure" centers of your brain.
Chatnix offers a GetQuit program that offers online and phone support good for a year. This comes with every prescription as they recognize the psychological as well as physical addiction of smoking.
Is not a nicotine replacement therapy. The medication eases your symptoms of withdrawal without adding nicotine in another form.
Very effective when used properly. The drug has been shown to be 44% effective in blind testing.
Cons.
Smoking is both a physical and psychological addiction. The medication helps with some of the physical symptoms, but doesn't address the mental addiction. I found medication to be very effective when I used it in conjunction with behavior modification techniques.
There are side effects. Some of the more common ones are nausea, sleep problems, constipation, gas. You might experience some very vivid or weird dreams while taking Chantix.
Expense. The stop smoking pill is expensive and your insurance may not cover it.
The medication can only be obtained with a doctor's prescription and you should be under a doctor's care when taking it.
It may not work for you. Some people react badly to the medication and there's a small percentage of the population it just doesn't work for.
Talk to your doctor and find out of the stop smoking pill is a viable option for you or if another method would be more effective for you. No matter which option you choose be committed. There are many programs and aides to help you quit cigarettes, but none of them will work if you don't make up your own mind that this is what you want.
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