Nicotine is an addictive drug. When it is inhaled, the cigarette smoke reaches the brain faster than drugs that enter the body intravenously. Smokers not only become physically addicted to nicotine; they also link smoking with many social activities, making smoking a difficult habit to break.⁴  Cigarette smoking is the most important source of preventable health problems and death worldwide. Smoking-related diseases claim approximately 438,000 American lives each year, including those who are affected by second-hand smoke.¹  Cigarette smoke contains over 4,800 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.² 

 Smoking is also a major factor in heart disease and stroke. It may also be related to health conditions in other parts of the body including slow healing of wounds, infertility, and peptic ulcer disease. For the first time, the Surgeon General includes pneumonia in the list of diseases caused by smoking.³  

If you are a smoker and want to quit, fear not! There is a lot of help available to help you kick the habit. If you decide to use one of the many smoking cessation aids out there, you should know there is a new prescription option available. This medication, like others similar to it, can help ease the withdrawal symptoms of quitting.  

Chantix is a new prescription medication for smoking cessation. So how does Chantix stack up to other smoking cessation aids? Let’s take a look at the various options available to find out.  

Nicotine Replacement Products

These products come in many forms such as gum, patches, sprays or inhalers. They are all quite equal in their ability to help one quit. It is really just a matter of preference. Patients should keep in mind that the patch may provide more continuous relief from cravings. The gum or other products in this category can be used in combination with the patch to help with breakthrough cravings. Work with your doctor or pharmacist to come up with a game plan when using these products.  

Zyban  

may be a good choice for patients who are also experiencing weight gain. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of seizure, bipolar disorder or anorexia and in those who are abruptly discontinuing alcohol intake (i.e. if you have decided to ‘quit drinking’). Caution is used in patients who have serious depression or have contemplated suicide. Common side effects are stomach upset, nausea, constipation, weight loss, high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms, itching, rash, dizziness, headache, agitation and trouble sleeping. If you experience itching, rash or trouble breathing, stop the medication and seek medical attention promptly as this can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction.

Chantix

Chantix is the newest prescription option for smoking cessation. It binds to nicotine receptors in the body like the nicotine in cigarettes do, but it does not stimulate them as much as nicotine.  Chantix works as least as well as Zyban and costs about the same. Chantix should be taken with meals and a full glass of water. Chantix may be a better choice (vs. Zyban) for patients who have a history of alcoholism, serious depression or bipolar disorder. It does not appear to have the side effects that Zyban has but it is still new and side effects are still being discovered for this medication. Like Zyban, it can cause constipation, nausea and headache.  

What’s Your Choice?

Your choice of smoking cessation aids depends on your preferences and needs. Some people prefer a simple patch or gum. Others prefer a pill they can take. And of course, if one option does not work for you, you can always try another.  Sometimes you can use a combination of more than one therapy.  Of course there are other, nonpharmacological methods such as hypnosis or quitting cold turkey too. How ever you choose to quit, the American Lung Association is a great place to start if you would like tips on quitting or are looking for support. You can visit them at www.lungusa.org.

Author: Christi Larson, Pharm. D.

REFERENCES:

1. Smoking 101 Fact Sheet. The American Lung Association Website. www.lungusa.org  (Accessed January 16, 2007).

    

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Tobacco Information and Prevention Source (TIPS). Tobacco Use in the United States . January 27, 2004.

    

3. U.S Department of Health and Human Services. Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2004.

    

4. National Institute of Drug Abuse.  Research Report on Nicotine : Addiction, August 2001.