to judy ...about chantix?

You take 1/2 dose for 1 week while you smoke. The meds block nicotine uptake receptors in your brain and replace the nicotine with a substitute, but you're still smoking the same so you're cutting down on the nicotine and don't even realize it. The second week you quit smoking and and take the full dose.

They say you're supposed to keep taking the drug for at least 12 weeks, but I quit taking it after the second week and haven't smoked since. I think the physical withdrawl only takes about 5 days to get over, so I never understood why we were supposed to continue taking the drug for so long. The habit is harder, and that just takes will power and changing your triggers (like coffee in the morning).

My husband had dizzyness but we still aren't sure if it was caused by the drug. He was prescribed this drug because it's safer than Wellbutrin (which is another smoking cessation drug) if you have high blood pressure.

I don't remember having any side effects myself.

Good luck, it was easier and harder than I thought it would be. The decision to do it is probably the hardest part, I used to love to smoke and still miss it sometimes.

Hi Jackie,

Just wanted to wish you good luck in quitting smoking. I quit cold turkey in 1999 and while I do miss smoking, I am really glad that I did.

God Bless,
Gail *Nanners*

Like I said above, making the decision to quit is probably the hardest part. It means making the decision to make the commitment, and you know it's not going to be easy.

I always enjoyed smoking, even as a child I'd stand beside my mother who smoked and inhale deep. Sometimes now when I smell it, it smells horrible, but sometimes it makes me want to have one.

I hope all who try are successful, and that we can all continue to keep away from them. One of the things that helps me (aside from the CD and not wanting any more surgeries, lol) is thinking about how much money the tobacco companies are making on so much suffering.

Oh, and I just wanted to add that recently I've been taking my Father-in-law to the VA, initially to the Head and Neck specialists, for cancer treatment.  I can't even begin to count the number of men I saw with throat and neck cancer because remember the military used to send cartons of cigarettes to these guys during WWII. 

Is Champix the same as Zyaban?

Good luck with trying to quit, Im also in the process of giving up.........again!!!!!!!

Diane

Just looked it up. Both names are brand names, the generic name is bupropion. The difference is that if your doctor prescribes Zyban, most insurance companies won't pay for it because it's marketed for smoking cessation, while Wellbutrin may be paid for because it's marketed for depression.

Either way, they are a totally different drug than the Chantix.

Just so you know, the nicotine products aren't supposed to be used in conjunction with Chantix. No patches, gum, lozenges, etc.