Preventing the lung cancer victims of the future by helping smokers to quit, educating young people to prevent them starting to smoke and to lobbying government to take action. |
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Tips to Help you Quit - Zyban
What is Zyban?
Zyban is the first nicotine-free treatment for smokers who are motivated to stop smoking. It is available only on prescription.How does Zyban work?
Zyban helps reduce the cravings and nicotine withdrawal symptoms (e.g., anxiety, lack of concentration, irritability, restlessness) by working on the chemicals in the brain that make people addicted to nicotine.When taking Zyban, when do I stop smoking?
Zyban is a slow release drug so it needs some time for the body to absorb it. It is recommended that you set a quit date somewhere from day 8 to day 15 from when you first start the course.Can anyone take Zyban?
There are certain conditions where Zyban should not be prescribed e.g. pregnancy, history of seizure, liver disease, eating disorders, and manic depression. A full list should be on the information leaflet in the box of tablets. If in any doubt don’t take the drug until you have discussed it with your doctor.How is Zyban taken?
The usual dose is:
1 tablet once a day for the first 6 days
1 tablet twice a day, taken between 8 and 12 hours apart, for the rest of the course.
Do not take more than one tablet at a time.
Do not take more than 2 tablets in one day.
Zyban should be swallowed whole – do not crush, break, cut, suck or chew the tablets.
What should I do if I miss a tablet?
Just take your next dose at its usual time. Do not double up on a dose to make up for it.How long should I continue taking Zyban?
It is usually prescribed as a two-month course (120 tablets). If your doctor has prescribed for a shorter period, you will need to get another prescription to complete the course.Are there any side effects?
As with any drug, there are possible side effects. Some of the common ones are: dry mouth, dizziness, headaches, insomnia, rashes and itching. These are usually mild and generally disappear within the first few weeks.
Uncommon side effects include: Increased blood pressure, quicker heartbeat, chest pains and flushing.
Rare side effects include: seizures and fainting.
Bare in mind that some of the common effects could be due to stopping smoking itself, as the body adjust to being without nicotine and the other 4000+ chemicals that come in a cigarette.
If you experience any of the side effects and are worried about them, you should contact your doctor.
Can I drink alcohol whilst taking Zyban?
If you drink in moderation, it will not affect the Zyban acts on your body, although it is recommended that you avoid drinking if possible.