Quit Smoking

Why should you quit smoking?

Quitting smoking can improve your health and overall wellbeing. Even if you have been smoking for most of your life, it is never too late to stop. Below are 8 benefits of quitting smoking that can improve your life.

1. Within 12 weeks of quitting, you will have more energy. Your blood can circulate around your body easier, making physical activities such as running or walking easier. As you will have more oxygen in your body, this can reduce tiredness and headaches.
2. Quitting smoking strengthens your immune system, so you can fight off cold and flu easier.
3. Smoking can increase the age of your skin, as your skin does not get the same amount of nutrients and oxygen as a non-smoker. Quitting smoking can slow down ageing and wrinkles.
4. Stopping smoking will decrease your stress levels, which can reduce anxiety. Although quitting smoking can feel stressful, this is your body’s way of coping with the withdrawal from nicotine and will go away once you have stopped smoking for good.
5. When you stop smoking, your breath will get fresher and your oral health will improve. Non-smokers are at less risk of gum disease and premature loss of teeth. Tobacco also stains the teeth, so your teeth should start to improve visibly over time.
6. Quitting smoking can make sperm stronger and improve the lining of the womb, improving your fertility levels. It also reduces the chance of problems during pregnancy and increases the chance of delivering a healthy baby.
7. Stopping smoking can improve your sense of taste and smell. Once you have quit, you may notice food tastes better, as your senses are no longer being affected by the many chemicals found in cigarettes.
8. Quitting smoking can help you live longer. 50% of regular smokers will die early from diseases linked to smoking, such as lung cancer and heart disease. If you are male and quit before 30, you could add up to 10 years to your life. For smokers who quit before 60, you could add 3 years to your life.

What happens when you quit smoking?

When you stop smoking, your body will begin to get withdrawal symptoms from the nicotine contained in cigarettes. This means you can get symptoms such as mood changes, cold sweats, headaches, trouble sleeping, and nausea (feeling sick). Depending on how long you have been smoking, this can last for several days or weeks.

Over time, you will start to feel healthier, stronger, and you will no longer crave a cigarette. Prescription medication such as Cytisine and Zyban helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms and can help you quit smoking for good.

What medication is available to help you quit smoking?

We have 2 different medications that can help you to quit smoking, which are Cytisine and Zyban. Both of these come in tablet form and need to be prescribed by a doctor.

Cytisine

Cytisine is a new medication for stopping smoking in the UK that is available on prescription only. It contains the active ingredient Cytisine, which works similarly to Champix. It can reduce the urge to smoke as it attaches itself to the same receptors in the brain that nicotine does.

You’ll take Cytisine as a 25-day course. Each tablet contains 1.5 mg and each pack contains 100 tablets, which is a complete treatment course. From days 1 to 3, you’ll take Cytisine every 2 hours for a maximum dose of 6 tablets a day. The time between tablets will slowly decrease up until day 21 to 25, where you’ll take 1 to 2 tablets a day. This can help you to reduce cravings when you first quit.

Zyban

Zyban is a medication containing the active ingredient bupropion hydrochloride. It works by affecting the part of your brain associated with cravings and reduces withdrawal symptoms. Like Champix, it also reduces the enjoyment of smoking if you smoke during treatment.

For the first week of treatment, from day 1 to 6, you will take one 150mg tablet, once a day. On day 7, increase this to one 150mg tablet, twice a day. Make sure to keep doses 8 hours apart and do not take your dose close to bedtime, as this could affect your sleep.

In week 2, choose a day and stop smoking. Keep taking 2 tablets a day until you have taken Zyban for 7 to 9 weeks. Your doctor will then decrease your dose gradually until you no longer need Zyban.

Champix

Champix is currently long-term out of stock. Consider Cytisine or Zyban as alternatives.

Champix is a medication that contains the active ingredient varenicline. Champix can relieve withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes. It also reduces the enjoyment of smoking, which can help you to stop.

Champix is prescribed as 0.5mg tablets once a day, for the first 3 days. From day 4 to 7, one 0.5mg tablet is taken twice a day, such as in the morning and evening.

In week 2, you will increase your dose to 1 mg, twice a day. When you start on this dose (between days 8 and 14), you should stop smoking. You can continue on 1mg, twice a day, for 12 to 24 weeks. Your doctor will tell you when to stop taking Champix and may reduce your dose gradually.

Are there any side effects to stop smoking medication?

Like any prescription medication, Cytisine and Zyban, and Champix can have side effects. Not everyone will get them and some side effects can be similar to withdrawal symptoms. If side effects do not go away or bother you, speak to your doctor.

Side effects of Cytisine include:

• changes in taste and appetite
• dry mouth
• headache
• irritability
• nausea
• constipation
• fast heart rate

Side effects of Zyban include:

• difficulty concentrating
• dry mouth
• trouble sleeping
• dizziness
• headaches
• nausea and vomiting
• constipation

Side effects of Champix include:

• dry mouth
• headaches
• drowsiness
• nausea and vomiting (feeling or being sick)
• trouble sleeping and vivid dreams
• diarrhoea or constipation
• dizziness

For a full list of side effects, check the patient information online, or in your tablet pack. If you get any serious side effects such as a severe allergic reaction, call 999 or go to A&E straight away.

Alternative products to help you quit smoking

If prescription medication is not suitable for you, there are other medications to quit smoking called nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT contains a low dose of nicotine without the toxic chemicals found in cigarettes, to help your body withdraw from nicotine slowly. This can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

NRT can be found over the counter, meaning it does not need to be prescribed to you. It can be found in pharmacies and some supermarkets. It can also be prescribed by your GP or an NHS stop smoking service.

Nicotine patches

Nicotine patches are patches applied directly to your skin, usually on the upper arm. They release nicotine slowly. Some patches are only worn through the day and others are kept on all the time. They can be used alongside other NRT’s that are fast-acting, such as gum and inhalers, to stop cravings quickly if you really want to smoke.

Nicotine gum

Nicotine gum is chewable gum that will act quickly to reduce cravings. It can come in a variety of flavours and can be used when needed to help with sudden cravings. It is not recommended to take more than 15 gums a day and this should be decreased over time.

Nicotine lozenge

Nicotine lozenges can be used to help with sudden cravings like nicotine gum. They can be sucked or chewed and can be used alongside slow-releasing NRT’s, like patches. They come in different strengths and should be decreased over time.

Nicotine inhaler

Nicotine inhalers can be used instead of gum or lozenges and provide a similar action to smoking, as they must be taken to the mouth and inhaled. Inhalers can be used whenever you feel the urge to smoke.

Usually, each cartridge will give you 40 minutes of use, meaning you can split this over the course of the day. This replaces the times you would usually have a cigarette. You should reduce the number of times you use your nicotine inhaler gradually.

Nicotine nasal spray

Nicotine nasal spray is sprayed directly up the nose and can be used when you get cravings. Usually, the maximum dose is 2 sprays in each nostril every hour. You should not have more than 64 sprays a day. Over time, you should decrease the number of sprays.

Safety information

Most people can safely use NRT’s but if you are not sure, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. NRT’s are suitable for children over the age of 12 but if you are under 18 you should seek advice from your doctor before using any nicotine treatments. NRT’s are suitable for pregnant and breastfeeding women but speak to your doctor for help on taking NRT’s safely.

Champix, Cytisine, and Zyban are not suitable for anyone under 18 years old and pregnant or breastfeeding women. You should not take Champix if you have severe kidney problems. Zyban should not be taken by anyone with an eating disorder, epilepsy, or bipolar. Cytisine is not suitable if you have high blood pressure in the arteries or advanced atherosclerosis (a buildup of fat and other substances in your arteries). If you are taking any other medications, or have any other medical conditions, speak to your doctor before using any stop smoking medication.