Which side effects would you prefer?

[pomtzu]

Just to add my 2 cents worth. Years ago I tried Zyban (basically the same as the rest of the stop smoking pills - they are anti-depressants) and had a very bad experience with it. I sure wasn't depressed when I started the treatment, but 3 weeks in to it I thought I was having a nervous breakdown. I was confused, lethargic, and even suicidal. Not knowing why I was feeling like this I did more research on Zyban and came to the conclusion that it was this med causing me to feel that way. I flushed the remaining pills, and as the med got out of my system, I was back to feeling "normal". I know everyone reacts differently to medications, but everyone should be aware of the possible side effects of any med before taking it. That one scared the living daylights out of me, and I personally would never try any stop smoking prescription med again.

[Glacier]

Even Champix won't work until she's truly ready and wants to quit. Stuart tried it twice. The first time, he used it because he knew he should quit. Didn't work. The second time, he was ready and committed to quitting. He took Champix again for six weeks. Our doc prescribed 12 weeks, but he was completely smoke and craving free after six. He hasn't touched a cigarette in months now.

It's expensive and not covered by most insurance plans. My drug benefit plan at work is good, covers all sorts of weird things, but not Champix! Our doc has quit prescribing it unless she convinced the patient is truly committed to quitting partly because of the cost. She spent a long time grilling Stuart the second time he asked for it!

The only side effect Stuart had were some minor changes to his sleep patterns and very vivid dreams.

[Catty1]

Zyban is also known as Wellbutrin - which I named "Hellbutrin" because of the side effects I had, ie, total menopause symptoms within 1/2 hr, including a crying jag! Some people tolerate it wonderfully - some don't; there seems to be no in-between!

Chantix is different in that it blocks the nicotine receptors.

BTW - In Alberta, if you get prescribed Zyban to quit smoking, drug plans won't cover it. However, most docs will prescribe Wellbutrin instead - same drug, but for depression - and the plans will cover it. Someone explain that to me???

[pomtzu]

Zyban is also known as Wellbutrin - which I named "Hellbutrin

Chantix is different in that it blocks the nicotine receptors.

Hellbutrin - I agree 100% with that!!!
Any drug that lists a "possible" side effect of "thoughts of suicide" - I avoid like the plague! I don't EVER want to go thru any side effects like that again. Very scary to say the least!