Smoking Cessation

The following is an Editorial Resource from YourTotalHealth.

A Closer Look: Medications to Quit By

Reviewed by: Timothy Yarboro, MD

Your doctor may suggest one or more of these ways to fight nicotine addiction:

• Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). This includes a nasal spray and an inhaler available by prescription, as well as over-the-counter patches, gum and lozenges. These products provide small doses of nicotine, which eases physical withdrawal and cravings.
  
  
• Non-nicotine medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two non-nicotine prescription medications to aid in smoking cessation. One, a nicotine receptor blocker approved in 2006, is designed specifically to help people quit smoking. The other is an antidepressant that reduces symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
  
  
• Off-label medications. Some doctors prescribe other drugs “off label” to help in smoking cessation, such as antidepressants, blood pressure drugs or a type of injected drug known as anticholinergics.
• 
  

What's Next: Getting Ready: Preparing Yourself, Your Home, Your Friends

• Feeling Better
  
• What Works
  
• Quit Day (& Beyond)
  
• Secrets of Success
  
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Review date: 01-16-2008