For the best chance of stopping smoking, studies have shown that you are three times more likely to stop by combining support from a local stop smoking advisor along with treatments such as nicotine-free medication, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or vapes.
When choosing which methods are best for you, a local stop smoking advisor can have you decide while taking into consideration your personal preferences, lifestyle and medical history.
Taken orally in tablet form, Varenicline eases nicotine withdrawal symptoms and makes your cravings easier to manage. It’s designed so that if you do end up having a cigarette, the taste will be altered, so you enjoy it less.
It’s widely used across the UK, with reports showing it’s one of the most effective medicines for helping people to stop smoking.
It’s recommended you take it 1 to 2 times a day, around 8-14 days before you begin to stop smoking.
Most people will start taking Varenicline ahead of their stop smoking date, so that they’re already smoking less by the time comes.
It’s recommended dose is initially once a day, building up to twice away from day 5 onwards in the morning and evening.
Typically, you’ll start your stop smoking date 8-14 days after you start treatment and continue the course of medication for 12 weeks. However, you can take for longer if needed.
It’s important that you finish the course to allow the medication to work and to give yourself the best chance of stopping.
Most people are usually able to take Varenicline. However, it is not recommended:
Like all medications, there can be some possible side effects. The most common symptoms are:
Varenicline is only available on prescription, and your local Stop Smoking Service will be able to arrange this from your GP for you.
You will also be able to get it from authorised pharmacists.
It’s important you speak to your GP to find out if Varenicline is suitable for you.
Cytisine is an oral tablet that helps reduce the urge to smoke, making nicotine withdrawal symptoms easier to manage.
Although it’s relatively new to the UK, it’s been used for many years in other parts of Europe under the name Tabex. It can also sometimes be called Cytisincline.
Cytisine blocks receptors in the brain from reacting with nicotine. This means that when you do smoke, you won’t experience the same taste or sensation as normal.
It reduces your cravings, making it much easier to cope when trying to stop smoking.
One full course of tablets typically lasts for 25 days. Usually, you’ll take one tablet 6 times a day during the first 3 days before gradually reducing it to the final week where it’s taken twice a day.
You should start you first smoke free day no later than 5 days after starting Cytisine, and you should complete the full course to give the drug the best chance of working.
Most people are usually able to take Cytisine. However, it is not recommended:
You should not take Cytisine if you:
Like all medications there can be some possible side effects, however these may not affect everyone. The most common ones are:
Cytisine is only available on prescription, and your local Stop Smoking Service will be able to arrange this from your GP for you.
You will also be able to get it from authorised pharmacists.
It’s important you speak to your GP to find out if Cytisine is suitable for you.
Bupropion (also known as Zyban) is an oral tablet that has been found to help people stop smoking.
Originally used to treat depression, it has been used as a stop smoking medication for approximately 18 years, with studies showing that it has approximately double the chance of helping you stop smoking for good.
Bupropion reduces your nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms, helping you to better manage feelings of irritability, reduce disturbed sleep patterns and increase your appetite.
It’s recommended you start taking Bupropion 1-2 weeks before your stop smoking date to give it a chance to start working.
It is initially taken once a day, increasing to twice a day from day seven, with a course lasting up to 9 weeks.
It’s important to take the full course to allow it to work and give yourself the best chance of stopping for good.
Most people can take Bupropion but it is not recommended if you:
There are also several medical conditions and situations where you should not take Bupropion, so it is important to speak to your GP first to find out if Bupropion is suitable for you.
Like all medications there can be some possible side effects. The most common ones are:
Bupropion is only available on prescription, and your local Stop Smoking Service will be able to arrange this from your GP for you.
You will also be able to get it from authorised pharmacists.
It’s important you speak to your GP to find out if Bupropion is suitable for you.
