The medical community has come a long way since the years when doctors doubled as cigarette ad spokesmen. Today, physicians recommend that smokers take medication when trying to quit.
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Since the drugs don't put nicotine in your body—the way a patch or piece of nicotine gum does—many smokers continue to light up when they first start their prescription. Most patients also continue to take the drug for some time after they've quit for good.
When tested against placebos, these medications have been shown to significantly increase the likelihood of quitting. The one-year success rates reported in studies tend to range from 15% to 25%.
There are, however, side effects to consider—as with any medication. And even with help, your body may still have trouble adjusting to life without nicotine. Read the information below, and talk to your doctor, before trying any antismoking drug.
Key points in making your decision
Quitting smoking is hard because your body becomes addicted to the nicotine in tobacco. Giving it up is more than just kicking a bad habit. Your body has to stop craving the nicotine. If you have decided to quit smoking, you may want to think about taking medicine that can make it easier to stop. You can also use this information if you want to quit using tobacco products such as chew or snuff, or if you smoke cigars or pipes.
Consider the following when making your decision:
Quitting smoking is hard because your body becomes addicted to the nicotine in tobacco. Giving it up is more than just kicking a bad habit. Your body has to stop craving the nicotine. If you have decided to quit smoking, you may want to think about taking medicine that can make it easier to stop. You can also use this information if you want to quit using tobacco products such as chew or snuff, or if you smoke cigars or pipes.
Consider the following when making your decision:
- Studies show that using medicines to quit smoking can double your chance of success. Because of that, experts recommend that all smokers take medicines to help when they try to quit.
- The reason many people go back to smoking is because of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Medicines can help relieve these symptoms.
- Some insurance companies will pay for all or part of the cost of medicines used to quit smoking.
- The medicines used most commonly to quit smoking have few side effects. Becoming addicted to the medicines is rare.
- Quitting smoking can be stressful, and you may have to do more than just take medicine. Success also depends on getting ready, getting support, learning how to get along without tobacco, and being prepared for setbacks.
Last Updated: July 24, 2007 
