Stop smoking using drugs
Stopping smoking is one of the hardest things a person can do but, whatever your age, it will benefit you enormously. The good news is there is plenty of assistance available that can make quitting easier than ever.

What’s available?
The most common aid is nicotine replacement therapy. These treatments come in gum, patch and inhaler form. They contain a lower dose of nicotine than a cigarette and are used to keep cravings at bay when quitting. Stop-smoking drugs are a relatively new phenomenon but are gaining popularity in Ireland.

Zyban
Zyban was originally an anti-depressant but was marketed as a stop-smoking drug after doctors discovered that it decreased the urge to smoke in patients. Zyban works in a similar way to nicotine – releasing chemicals that make you feel good. This reduces many of the side effects associated with stopping smoking, such as cravings, weight gain and irritability.

Dr Gobnait Kearney, a GP, explains that Zyban isn’t suitable for everyone as “it lowers seizure thresholds and is not appropriate for people with diabetes or liver disorders”.

Champix
In September 2006, Champix, which is produced by Pfizer, was authorised by the European Union for the treatment of smoking cessation in adults.

Champix contains Varenicline and is a non-nicotine aid. It can help relieve the cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping smoking. Kearney explains that Champix works by binding to the nicotine receptors in your brain. It binds more effectively to the receptors than nicotine, prohibiting nicotine to enter your receptors, and reduces the urge to smoke. Champix also produces dopamine, which is the feel-good sensation you get when you smoke.

Is Champix for you?
Pfizer spokesman Paul Horan emphasises that anyone wishing to start taking Champix needs to be accessed by their doctor. However, he says “there are no contraindications for use in patients over the age of 55”. He continues: “The benefits of quitting smoking for persons with cardiovascular disease are quite clear; for example, the risk of a heart attack will have fallen by almost half after one year of quitting.”

Statistics from Pfizer show that more than 100,000 adults in Ireland have received Champix since its launch in December 2006.

Champix’s success
There is no Irish framework for recording quit attempts. However, the international success rate of Champix is higher than any other stop-smoking aid.

Kearny says that, in her experience, Champix is very much patient driven. “People come in looking for the drug by name,” she says. In her dealings with the drug, it has shown to have a very high success rate compared with any other method.

Statistically speaking, Horan says: “From international clinical trials, Champix has been shown to offer four-times greater odds of quitting smoking after 12 weeks compared with placebo and when compared directly with nicotine replacements. Champix also offered two-times greater odds of quitting successfully after treatment.”

The side effects of Champix
The side effects of Champix are varied and include:

• vomiting and nausea
• headaches
• sleep disturbances and atypical dreams
• gas
• constipation
• suicidal thoughts

Kearney says that, compared to Zyban, Champix has much less serious side effects. Horan has found that “the most common side effect with Champix is nausea”. Anecdotally, another very common side effect is extremely vivid dreams while on the drug.

The benefits of a life as a non-smoker are clear but you need to be ready to stop smoking for good. Norma Cronin, Irish Cancer Society health manager, says: “To successfully give up smoking, planning and preparation are important and the person must be motivated.”

So, if you are ready to take the plunge into a healthier life without tobacco, consult your doctor to see what stop-smoking drugs can do for you.