Stop Smoking Pill- is Chantix the Answer

Seventy percent of smokers actually want to quit smoking cigarette for good, however many of them believe they cannot do without the addictive nicotine the cigarettes provide. As a result many of the ways to quit smoking involve around nicotine replacement, and the latest offering is a stop smoking pill called Chantix, the question is does it actually work?

Chantix, created by the drug company Pfizer was approved by the FDA in 2006 and was seen by some as the gold standard in helping people to quit smoking cigarette. Chantix (varenicline) is a stop smoking pill like no other as it does not contain nicotine. Normally when you smoke the nicotine goes straight to your brain releasing feel good chemicals such as dopamine, but when you take chantix it attaches to and blocks the nicotine receptors, preventing the release of dopamine. This stop smoking pill makes smokers no longer experience the pleasure of smoking cigarettes. Short term studies have shown over a 12 week period that 44% of smokers who took the stop smoking pill Chantix quit compared to 18% who were on a placebo.

Many ex smokers are singing the benefits of Chantix saying it is the first thing that has helped them quit smoking for good. However Chantix is not without its side effects, and many smokers who take the pill will experience nausea, sleep disturbances, gas, constipation, changes in behaviour and even suicidal thoughts. It is postulated the suicidal thoughts could be related to a decrease in secretion of the hormone dopamine. For those on other medications such as insulin, warfarin, or those who are pregnant it is important to let your clinician know before starting chantix. Taking Chantix in combination with other drugs could be dangerous and doses of drugs may need to be adjusted to prevent ill effects.

Chantix is rather pricey at $100 so it is best to shop around for the cheapest price but if it helps you quit smoking cigarette then it may be worth it. However you should consider the possible side effects before making a decision as the risk may be too great. It may not do the trick for everyone and perhaps it is better to wait for the results of long term trials before jumping on the bandwagon to try this stop smoking pill. After all counselling, cold turkey and nicotine replacement therapy have helped thousands of others quit in the past, so these may help you to quit too without the expense and risk of chantix.