Smoking Advice
Smoking is the commonest preventable cause of death in the western world, with half of all those patients dying prematurely of the habit.
Despite this, over 30% of the population smoke but virtually all wish to give up. The problem, is that nicotine is as addictive a drug as heroin, and so few succeed; those that do frequently become tempted back, by just that one cigarette, and the habit is re-kindled.
Many methods are available to kick the habit including hypnotherapy, acupuncture, counselling, but perhaps the best methods revolve around medication. Until recently this was with NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy), but more recently this has been with Zyban (Bupropion).
NRT works by substituting the nicotine in cigarettes with a replacement dose, with the aim of negating the physical craving of the cigarettes. Various methods can be tried which include chewing-gum, inhalers and patches, although the route probably doesn't matter. Generally these are used for three months starting with cessation of the smoking at the commencement of NRT. From 15/5/01 these have been available off an NHS FP1001 prescription.
The other recent method is Zyban (Bupropion). This was first produced approx. 30 years ago as an anti-depressant, but it is only relatively recently that this has been re-licensed for it's use in smoking cessation.
Zyban has had adverse press, which is probably unjustified. Although there have been a number of deaths for patient's taking the drug, this does not necessarily mean that Zyban has been the cause. There is however a risk of epileptic fits in the order of 1:1000, which is actually the same for patient's taking any anti-depressant. It is therefore advisable that patient's do not take Zyban if there is a history of epilepsy, head-injury, diabetes or heavy drinking. In addition drug interactions that prohibit the co-precribing of Zyban include anti-malarials, anti-histamines, "mental illness" drugs, theophyllines, steroids, some anti-biotics, analgesics like Tramadol, and slimming medication.
Initially it appeared that Zyban was more effective than NRT but this is perhaps now debatable. Most patients are therefore commenced on NRT as the sole therapy but often in two forms, a patch with additional NRT chewing-gum or NRT inhaler.
Despite this, over 30% of the population smoke but virtually all wish to give up. The problem, is that nicotine is as addictive a drug as heroin, and so few succeed; those that do frequently become tempted back, by just that one cigarette, and the habit is re-kindled.
Many methods are available to kick the habit including hypnotherapy, acupuncture, counselling, but perhaps the best methods revolve around medication. Until recently this was with NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy), but more recently this has been with Zyban (Bupropion).
NRT works by substituting the nicotine in cigarettes with a replacement dose, with the aim of negating the physical craving of the cigarettes. Various methods can be tried which include chewing-gum, inhalers and patches, although the route probably doesn't matter. Generally these are used for three months starting with cessation of the smoking at the commencement of NRT. From 15/5/01 these have been available off an NHS FP1001 prescription.
The other recent method is Zyban (Bupropion). This was first produced approx. 30 years ago as an anti-depressant, but it is only relatively recently that this has been re-licensed for it's use in smoking cessation.
Zyban has had adverse press, which is probably unjustified. Although there have been a number of deaths for patient's taking the drug, this does not necessarily mean that Zyban has been the cause. There is however a risk of epileptic fits in the order of 1:1000, which is actually the same for patient's taking any anti-depressant. It is therefore advisable that patient's do not take Zyban if there is a history of epilepsy, head-injury, diabetes or heavy drinking. In addition drug interactions that prohibit the co-precribing of Zyban include anti-malarials, anti-histamines, "mental illness" drugs, theophyllines, steroids, some anti-biotics, analgesics like Tramadol, and slimming medication.
Initially it appeared that Zyban was more effective than NRT but this is perhaps now debatable. Most patients are therefore commenced on NRT as the sole therapy but often in two forms, a patch with additional NRT chewing-gum or NRT inhaler.
Anyone wanting advice about quitting can call the Exeter Stop Smoking Team: 01392 207462 or, Devon wide on: 0845 1111142 (local rate).