| If you're looking for a way to quit smoking | | | | |
| that has a proven success rate, you may be | | | | 1 of the most popular alternatives for |
| interested in a drug called Zyban. The main | | | | nicotine withdrawal is the nicotine patch -- |
| active ingredient of Zyban is bupropion | | | | a square patch that sticks to the skin and |
| hydrochloride, which is also known as | | | | releases small doses of nicotine throughout |
| Wellbutrin. Originally prescribed as an | | | | the day. Patches allow the body to get the |
| antidepressant, Wellbutrin exhibited a side | | | | nicotine it craves without suffering the ill |
| effect of making patients lose interest in | | | | effects of smoking. People using patches may |
| cigarettes. With the Wellbutrin results as a | | | | still feel the desire to smoke in certain |
| guide, Zyban was developed and has been | | | | situations because of associations with |
| available as a smoking treatment since 1998. | | | | smoking that have nothing to do with |
| | | | nicotine. For example, some people associate |
| How Zyban Works | | | | smoking with going to a nightclub. |
| | | | |
| The reason Zyban is so effective is not | | | | Patches are available in various strengths, |
| clearly understood. It makes patients feel | | | | so they can be used to wean the body |
| energized and gives them a sense of | | | | gradually from its nicotine dependence. Those |
| well-being, which makes it useful for helping | | | | with a strong desire to quit smoking may find |
| people quit smoking. | | | | that nicotine substitutes free them to |
| | | | concentrate on the behavioral changes needed |
| Patients start taking Zyban while they are | | | | to rid themselves of dependency on tobacco. |
| still smoking. The quit date is set for 7 | | | | |
| days later, and the drug is continued for | | | | Zyban does not provide nicotine to the body, |
| another 7 to 10 weeks after that quit date. | | | | it provides the smoker a feeling of |
| Patients report minimal symptoms of nicotine | | | | well-being that allows him to give up the |
| withdrawal. Studies have shown that success | | | | habit with relatively little difficulty. |
| rates of Zyban are about twice that of | | | | However, once Zyban treatment stops, the |
| placebos. | | | | desire to smoke in certain situations may |
| | | | return. |
| If the smoker hasn't made significant | | | | |
| improvements in his smoking habits by 10 | | | | Side Effects Of Patches |
| weeks, it is unlikely that continued use of | | | | |
| Zyban will help. Zyban treatment is like any | | | | Patches can help eliminate the cravings |
| other method for quitting smoking: in order | | | | associated with smoking, but they have to be |
| to be effective the desire to quit has to | | | | used with some care. They can be worn |
| come from within. Those who really don't want | | | | throughout the day, but should be removed at |
| to stop smoking will find ways to sabotage | | | | night. Otherwise, they may cause insomnia or |
| any quitting plan. | | | | strange dreams. |
| | | | |
| The most commonly reported side effects are | | | | The skin where the patch is applied may |
| insomnia and a dry mouth. People with a | | | | become red and itchy. These symptoms usually |
| history of seizures, eating disorders, or | | | | disappear within an hour after the patch is |
| cirrhosis of the liver should not take it. | | | | removed, but can cause discomfort during the |
| | | | day. |
| Compared with Patches | | | | |