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