Stop smoking pill

You are spending a fortune. Your clothes stink. And you are worried about your health. You know you want to quit smoking but just need a little bit of help. Are there any stop smoking pills that you could use? You'll be pleased to know that there are. And what's more, they can double your chances of quitting for good.

There are 3 types of pills that you may be able to use:

Nicotine replacement pills
Buproprion (marketed as Zyban)
Varenicline (marketed as Champix)

You should consult with your doctor to see which is the most appropriate for you and to get a prescription. Before going any further you must be clear - these pills are not a magic bullet. You will still need strong motivation to give up. You must really want to quit for them to work.

Nicotine replacement pills work by releasing a controlled amount of nicotine into bloodstream. This helps to control the cravings for a cigarette. After all, nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Don't expect to get a 'rush' like you do with smoking a cigarette. They are not designed for this. These pills are easy to take and can be dissolved under the tongue.

Bupropion (Zyban) is a medicine that is thought to control cravings by altering the brain's response to nicotine. It was a drug that was initially designed to be an antidepressant but early trials found that people lost their desire to smoke.

For Zyban to be successful, it needs a bit of forward planning. The course of treatment lasts about 2 months. It takes a week for the drug to reach its maximum effect so you should plan to have a quit date one or two weeks after starting the treatment. You will need a prescription for this medicine.

Varenicline (Champix) is believed to work by stimulating the same receptors in the brain as nicotine does, so reducing the problems of withdrawal symptoms. It also blocks the action of nicotine so you don't get pleasure from smoking a cigarette.

For more details on whether you should use stop smoking pills or other methods, speak to your doctor or smoking cessation specialist.