Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Nicotine replacement aids, Chantix and Zyban – Your guide to quit smoking

The best quit smoking aid is your own will and determination. You have to be motivated and committed enough to kick the habit, otherwise no quit smoking aid can help you. If you are ready to quit, any of the quit smoking aids might work well for you. Most of the quit smoking aids are so designed that they help people quit smoking gradually. Choosing one that is right for you is essentially a matter of preference, barring any medical concerns you might have. It is therefore a good idea to check with your doctor about a quit smoking aid that will work best for you.

Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) which include nicotine gum, nicotine inhalers, nicotine patches as well as nicotine lozenges provide you with a measured dose of nicotine to help ease the physical symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Unlike cigarettes, NRTs contain only nicotine, which when used as directed, allow you to withdraw from the debilitating effects of nicotine by gradually reducing the amount in each dose. Get quit smoking help online for free.

The nicotine patch resembles a square tan or clear bandage. The size depends on the dosage and brand used, but generally it is a square piece of about 1-2 inches. The nicotine patch provides a steady, controlled dose of nicotine throughout the day; the patch strength is reduced over time, helping you wean off of nicotine gradually. The nicotine gum, nicotine inhalers and nicotine lozenges have a similar mechanism of action as the nicotine patch. But as the nicotine gum, nicotine inhalers, nicotine lozenges and the patch contain nicotine – the addictive component in tobacco – a certain risk of re-addiction is involved. However, when used with care, it can be a safe and comfortable way to quit smoking.

Quit smoking aids like Chantix and Zyban available now do not use nicotine as an active ingredient. Bupropion hydrochloride, marketed under the names Zyban, Wellbutrin SR, and Wellbutrin XL by GlaxoSmithKline, is an anti-depressant drug that also works as a smoking cessation aid. It has been shown to reduce physical withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine.

Discovered and developed by Pfizer, varenicline tartrate is marketed by the name of Chantix, which has the unique ability to partially activate nicotinic receptors in the brain, reducing nicotine craving in people who have quit smoking. Additionally, if a person does smoke during the treatment, Chantix impedes any kind of satisfaction gained from smoking by blocking the nicotine receptors.

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