What is Chantix?

For years, researchers have attempted to discover a way for people to stop smoking. It is understood that quitting cold turkey is not a very effective method. Therefore, researchers and doctors have explored alternate ways for smokers to put down the cigarettes for good. Many disagreed about the merits of one treatment over another. That, however, has changed with Chantix. When Pfizer came out with Chantix, it was quickly heralded as the miracle drug for smoking cessation.

What makes Chantix so popular with medical professionls is the method it uses for smoking cessation. While most smoking cessation aids focus on giving the smoker nicotine as a way to wean off of the drug and habit, Chantix uses an entirely different approach. The brain has nicotine receptors. When someone smokes a cigarette, the nicotine goes to those receptors, which in turn give the body dopamine. The dopamine causes the body to feel good, which causes the smoker to want to smoke more to achieve that feeling.

Chantix goes straight to the nicotine receptors. It blocks nicotine from the receptors. Therefore, the dopamine is not given off. By blocking the nicotine receptors, Chantix keeps smokers from getting the benefits of smoking.

Chantix has proven to be very effective. Chantix causes smokers to actually lose interest in smoking. When the enjoyment of smoking ceases, smokers are less likely to want to pick up a cigarette.

Even though Chantix has been called a wonder drug, it still has side effects. Nausea is one of the worst side effects of Chantix. There is a 30% occurrence of nausea in Chantex users. Strange, vivid dreams and sleeplessness are other side effects of Chantix.

Side effects with a lower occurrence are mood changes and depression. Those are much less likely to occur than the nausea and sleeplessness.

If a user of Chantix experiences a small side effect, they need to keep in mind that Chantix is typically only taken for twelve weeks. After that twelve week period, smoking cessation should be achieved and the patient can go off of the medication. Therefore, the side effects should only bother someone for a short period of time.

If you are a smoker and are interested in taking Chantix to quit, there are some important things to know. Not everyone can take Chantix. If you have a history of kidney problems, Chantix is not for you. Also, if you have a mental illness, it is best to stay away from the drug. Pregnant women should not take Chantix. With that in mind, they should not smoke, either.

Also, since Chantix is relatively new, it is still expensive to get on most insurance policies. There is not a generic form of Chantix yet, and the price to fill a prescription is high. Even with help from your insurance company, Chantix may cost $150 for a one month period.

Smoking cessation is a difficult process, even while on a medication like Chantix. While Chantix does make smoking cessation easier, it is still up to the smoker to make that life change. Smoking cessation is fifty percent mental. Even with all of the tools possible, cessation cannot be achieved unless the smoker truly wants to change.

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