Medications to Help you Quit - Tobacco Treatment Medications , doses, uses, and side effects

Medications to help quit

Bupropion SR 150 - Prescription Only: Zyban, Wellbutrin SR, Generic SR
CAUTIONS: Not for use if you
*Currently use a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor
*Use bupropion in any other form (Zyban/Wellbutrin)
*Have a history of seizures
*Have a history of eating disorders
SIDE EFFECTS:
* Insomnia
*Dry mouth
DOSAGE:
*Days 1-3:150 mg each morning
*Days 4-end: 150 mg twice daily
USE:
* Start 1-2 weeks before your quit date; use 2 to 6 months

Nicotine Gum (2 mg or 4 mg) -Over the Counter only as Nicorette and Generic
CAUTIONS:
* Don't drink acidic beverages during use!
* Caution with dentures
SIDE EFFECTS:
* Mouth Soreness
* Stomach ache
DOSAGE:
* 1 piece every 1 to 2 hours, as cravings dictate.
* 2 mg: if smoking 24 cigarettes or less per day
* 4 mg: if smoking 25 or more cigarettes a day or use chewing tobacco
USE:
* Use up to 12 weeks or as needed

Nicotine Inhaler, Kind of a misnomer as it is not inhaled but is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. - Available through prescription only
CAUTIONS:
* May irritate mouth/throat at first but improves with use.
* DON'T drink acidic beverages during use. coffee, cola drinks or caffiene drinks
SIDE EFFECTS:
* Local irritation of the mouth and throat
DOSAGE:
* 6-16 Cartridges/day
* Inhale 80 times per cartridge , may save partially-used cartridge for next day
USE: Up to 6 months, taper at the end

Nicotine Lozenge, 2mg or 4 mg -OTC only as Commit, or Generic (Nicabate)
CAUTIONS:
* Do not eat or drink 15 minutes before or during use
* One lozenge at a time , no more than 20 in a 24 hr period.
SIDE EFFECTS:
* Hiccups
* Cough
* Heartburn
DOSAGE:
* 2 mg: if smoking after first 30 minutes you're awake
* 4 mg if smoking within first 30 minutes you're awake
* Weeks 1-6: every 1-2 hours
* Weeks 7-9: 1 every 2-4 hours
* Weeks 10-12: 1 every 4-8 hours
USE: up to 12 weeks

Nicotine Nasal Spray, -Prescription Only as Nicotrol NS
CAUTIONS:
* Not for patients with asthma
* May irritate nose (Improves over time)
* May cause dependence
SIDE EFFECTS:
* Nasal irritations
DOSAGE:
* 1 dose = 1 squirt per nostril
* 8 - 40 doses per day
* Do NOT Inhale
* 3-6 months, taper at the end

Nicotine Patch, Over the counter as Nicoderm CQ, Nicotrol or through Badger Care and some other insurance coverage, Prescription: Generic Legend.
CAUTIONS:
* Do not use if you have severe eczema or psoriasis
SIDE EFFECTS:
* Local skin reaction
* Insomnia and or weird dreams
DOSAGE:
* One patch per day , if have bad dreams take off at night
* If more than 10 cigs/day: 21 mg for 4 wks, then 14 mg for 2 wks, then 7 mg for 2 wks.
* If less than 10 cigs/day: 14 mg for 4 wks, then 7 mg for 4 wks
USE:
* 6-8 weeks
Varenicline - Prescription Only, 1st pick a quit date!
CAUTIONS:
* Not encouraged if you suffer from depression
* Use with caution and consider dose reduction in patients: with significant renal impairment, or undergoing dialiysis
SIDE EFFECTS:
* Nausea
* Insomnia
* Abnormal dreams
* Headache
DOSAGE:
*Days 1-3: 0.5 mg every morning
* Days 4-7: 0.5 mg twice daily
* QUIT CIGS, Days 8-end 1 mg twice daily
USE:
* Start 1 week before QUIT date; use 3-6 months.

Read the information, think about what fits your situation and speak to your health care advisor, then decide on a medication to use. Many people find that using more than one medication is helpful, for example the patch and during a bad craving also using the Nicotine Nasal Spray, or the Nicotine Inhaler. Research shows that medication can increase your likelyhood of success with Quitting.