Zyban and Smoking Cessation
By Bob Sherman
Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Smoking deaths are caused by heart disease, cancer, cerebrovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. If you don't quit by age 35 you have a 50% chance of dying 8 years early from one of these tobacco-related diseases.
Reducing the number of cigarettes smoked does not seem to reduce the health risks of smoking. Only if you quit smoking do you see health benefits. The "gold standard" for improving your health is complete cessation of smoking.
But, quitting is difficult primarily because of withdrawal symptoms. Many people feel depressed and worry about weight gain when they quit smoking.
Bupropion hydrochloride (Zyban) is an antidepressant that works to reduce feelings of depression. Zyban may also decrease weight gain related to smoking cessation. Zyban is a good choice for those who worry about weight gain or who have had difficulty quitting using only one therapy.
Zyban is most effective in combination with a NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) such as the nicotine patch. Some studies have shown higher long term quit rates with such a combination therapy.
Zyban is typically taken one week before the target quit date. Smokers may reduce smoking during the second week, quitting totally at the end of the second week.
References
- John D Anczak, Robert A Nogler, Tobacco Cessation in Primary Care: Maximizing Intervention Strategies, Clinical Medical & Research, 1(3) 201-216
- Elin Roddy, ABC of smoking cessation: Burpropion and other non-nicotine pharmacotherapies, British Medical Journal, 328, 28 February 2004, 509-511
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