Helping you quit

Giving up is easier. Staying quit is hard. When you do slip, it makes you feel like you’ll never break the habit alone. Maybe you don’t need to? Your Health Plus Pharmacist could be the partner you need to kick the habit for good.

Smoking cessation is associated with clear health benefits. Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the world.

Health Plus Pharmacy use two ‘quit-smoking’ products which can greatly increase your chance of success. Only about 5% of people who try to quit tobacco succeed without a quit-smoking product. Many more succeed when using one.

Your chance of successfully quitting is even better when you combine counseling with one or more quit-smoking products.

Treatments Available

tablets (Twice Daily)

Bupropion (Zyban®)

Varenicline (Champix®)

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Bupropion

Overview

Bupropion is a prescription medication classified as a type of antidepressant. An extended-release form of bupropion is approved to help people stop smoking.

Bupropion is thought to decrease tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms by increasing the levels of certain brain chemicals.

It takes several days for bupropion to achieve effective levels in the blood. You typically should start taking bupropion a week or two before you quit smoking.

Pros

  • It’s a pill, so it’s relatively easy to use
  • Can be used in combination with other quit-smoking aids
  • May reduce the weight gain many smokers experience after quitting cigarettes

Cons

  • Must be taken twice a day
  • May cause dry mouth, headache or insomnia
  • May cause changes in mood or behavior, which should immediately be reported to your doctor
  • Is not recommended if you have seizures

Varenicline

Overview

Varenicline is a prescription medication that can help reduce cravings for tobacco and control nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It also blocks nicotine receptors in your brain, which decreases the pleasurable effects of smoking.

It takes several days for varenicline to reach effective levels in the blood. You typically should start taking varenicline a week or two before you quit smoking.

Pros

  • It’s a pill, so it’s relatively easy to use
  • Can be used in combination with other stop-smoking aids

Cons

  • Must be taken twice a day
  • May cause nausea, insomnia, and vivid or strange dreams
  • May cause changes in mood or behavior, which should immediately be reported to your doctor