Medications to help quit

Medications help people quit. The first thing to remember is if you are pregnant or nursing you must talk to your doctor before taking any medications. Many of these medications are not approved for use if you are pregnant or nursing so it is very important to speak to your health care provider before using any of them!That said not all that read this will be pregnant or nursing so hopefully you will find this information helpful.

Bupropion 150:This is a prescription only medication and goes by the names Zyban, Wellbutrin SR, and Generic SR.
Dosage: Days 1-3: 150 mg each morning
Day 4 -end: 150 mg twice daily
Use: Start 1-2 weeks before your quit date; use from 2-6 months
Side Effects: Insomnia
Dry Mouth
Cautions: Not for use if currently use a monamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor
Use bupropion in any other form, (Zyban or Wellbutrin)
Have a history of seizures
Have a history of eating disorders
Nicotine Gum: (2 mg or 4 mg) This is obtained over the counter and is called Nicorette or a Generic brand
Dosage: 1 piece every 1 to 2 hours
2 mg: If smoking 24 cigarettes or less per day
4 mg: If smoking 25 + cigarettes or chewing tobacco
Use: Up to 12 weeks or as needed
Side Effects: Mouth soreness
Stomach ache
Cautions: Cautions with dentures
Don't drink acidic beverages like soda, OJ, or coffee during use
Nicotine Inhaler: which requires a prescription
Dosage: 6-16 cartridges/day, Inhale 80 times per cartridge
Use: Up to 6 months tapering off at end
Side Effects: Local irritation of mouth and throat
Cautions: May irritate mouth/throat at first (but improves with use)
Don't drink acidic beverages during use
Nicotine Lozenge: (2mg or 4 mg) Over the counter, Commit or Generic (Nicabate)
Dosage: 2 mg: if you smoke after first 30 minutes you're awake, 4mg: if smoking withing 30 of waking up
Wks 1-6: every 1-2 hours
Wks 7-9: 1 every 2-4 hrs
Wks 10-12: 1 every 4-8 hours
Use: Up to 12 weeks
Side Effects: hiccups
cough
heartburn
Cautions: Do not eat or drink 15 minutes before, during, or after use
One lozenge at a time
Limit 20 in 24 hours, Prescription Only: Nicotrol NS
Dosage: 1 "dose" =1 squirt per nostril
1-2 doses per hour
8-40 doses per day
Do NOT inhale
Use: 3-6 months; taper at end
Side Effects: Nasal Irritation
Cautions: Not for people with asthma
May irritate nose (improves over time)
May cause dependence
Nicotine Patch: The patch can be gotten over the counter and goes by Nicoderm CQ, Nicotrol, Generic or prescription through Badger care Legend
Dosage: One patch per day
If more than 10 cigerettes per day: 21 mg for 4 wks, then 14 mg for 2 wks,
If less than 10 cigarettes per day: 14 mg for 4 wks, 7 mg for 4 wks
Use: 6-8 wks
Side Effects: Local skin reaction
Insomnia and or nightmares
Cautions: Do not use if you have severe eczema or psoriasis
Varenicline:Prescription only: Chantix
Dosage: Days 1-3: 0.5 mg every morning
Days 4-7: 0.5 mg twice daily
Days 8-end 1 mg twice daily
Use: Start 1 wk before quit date; use 3-6 months
Side Effects: Nausea
Insomnia/nightmares
Abnormal dreams
Headaches
Cautions: Use with caution and consider dose reduction in patients: with significant renal impairment, or undergoing
dialysis. You should use caution if you have mental health concerns.

Again these medications are for use only if you are not pregnant or nursing. This information is available through the
UW-CTRI web site.