Stop Smoking Pills – Chantix and Zyban

Prescription stop smoking pills have become one of the more popular stop smoking aids on the market. Their popularity has increased with smokers who want to get help to stop smoking without having to rely on expensive nicotine replacement therapies that may not work for the individual. Two of the more popular stop smoking pills are Chantix and Zyban which both work to curb your desire to smoke. When combined with stop smoking assistance programs, use of the stop smoking pills have proved to be an effective means of quitting smoking for many individuals.

How the Chantix Stop Smoking Pill Works

The Chantix stop smoking pill is also known as varenicline. If you are prescribed the Chantix pill, it will prevent nicotine from reaching the parts of your brain's nervous system that are normally stimulated from the nicotine contained in cigarette smoke giving you the “high” sensation from smoking. Gradually, as you take the pill your desire to smoke will lessen since the tobacco is no longer providing the stimulant to your body. Chantix triggers the release of dopamine in your body and takes over as the catalyst for providing the “high” sensation. It also works to reduce your overall cravings for a cigarette.

Just like many other products, Chantix does not come without any baggage. Some people who have take the pill have suffered from side effects from taking the pill to include having vivid dreams and nightmares, sleep problems, severe headaches, nausea, and constipation. In some rare cases, some patients have also experienced severe depression and suicidal tendencies. Side effects have also been known to be more pronounced in patients who are pregnant, take other stop smoking medications, or have kidney disorders.

How the Zyban Stop Smoking Pill Works

The Zyban stop smoking pill is another popular prescription medication that is used by smokers to stop smoking. Zyban was previously sold as an anti-depressant called Wellbutrin, or buproprion hydrochloride. Zyban is used to attack your urges to smoke a cigarette and eventually make your urge to smoke close to zero. Zyban accomplishes this in a similar manner to Chantix, but has a different chemical composition to achieve the same effect.

Zyban also has been found to have side effects in some patients who take the medication. These side effects include having problems sleeping, having a continual dry mouth, and in some rare cases seizure. Doctors will be hesitant to proscribe Zyban to patients who have been diagnosed with anorexia, a history of seizures, are taking cocaine or heroine, or have been shown to have an allergy to buproprion.