My wife is trying to quit smoking and she’s tried pretty much everything. She has a difficult time of it and I’ve been doing a little research into the matter.
I heard of a prescription drug by the name of Zyban and I was wondering if anyone knew anything about it. From what I gather, it doesn’t have any nicotine in it and effects the brain-basically telling it to stop craving nicotine.
I haven’t heard any horror stories, or for that matter, success stories.
Anyone have any info on it? I’m looking for factual information (and side effects) as well as anecdotal experience. In addition, how hard is it to get a prescription for Zyban?
I’m on it even as I type this, and I gotta say that it really is pretty amazing stuff.
I was backing down on the number of smokes daily anyway when I started taking it (actually, I’m taking it in the Welbutrin form, as opposed to Zyban) and within a week or so I really did lose the need and/or the desire to smoke. It’s been a little over a week since my last cigarette, and while I do occasionally think that a smoke would be swell, I’ve managed to avoid having one. And I sat for over four hours in a smoky bar and never really felt the desire to the point that I cracked.
So, I suppose I’m a success story, short-term division.
As far as a scrip, well, I imagine that it all depends on whether your wife has a medical plan that is forward thinking (which I kinda doubt). I’m told that if you explain to your PCP that you’re feeling a little bluer than usual, and you really know that you oughta quit smoking, that said PCP might just see his/her way clear to prescribing it.
I took Zyban for 6 months, and I haven’t had a smoke in about a year. I think it worked. The only side-effect I experiences was a decreased sex drive for a few months. It wasn’t a serious decrease. I also had a headache for the first few weeks, I stopped. But, I think that was from the nicotine withdrawl.
I had tried many times to quit smoking in the past. On the Zyban, I didn’t think about smoking every minute of the day. When I tried to quit before, all I could think about was how great it would be if I had a cig. With the Zyban, the cravings would come in waves, after about 10 mins of intense craving, it would fade away. The longer I went without a smoke, the more the “craving waves” would decrease. Even though it has been 13 months and 6 days since I had my last smoke, once in a while I still really want a smoke. Like when I am drinking or after eating a big ass steak. I just let that feeling pass and go on.
I had smoked for about 20 years, and was up to two packs a day :eek:
I was kinda afraid I wouldn’t be able to quit, but kinda also afraid that I would, if that makes sense. I took the stuff for about a week, and the urge to smoke just started going away. Took it for about two more weeks, and then decided I din’t need it anymore (although they don’t recommend you give it up that soon). April 24th, it will be 6 years without so much as a puff (not that I don’t think about it every now and then).
Don’t know how it works now, but it used to be that insurance would cover Wellbutrin (because it is an antidepressant), but NOT Zyban (because it is a smoking cessation aid). I hear there is now difference at all, except the brand name the drug is marketed under.
Bonus tip: tell her to drink TONS of water, to help flush the nicotine out of her system. Also, soaking in epsom salt baths helps pull nicotine out of the skin. Sounds weird, but helps.
I don’t think a scrip is going to be hard for her to get. She just went to a walk in clinic, for a lower respatory (sp?) infection (a really bad cough) and the doctor was telling her to stop smoking. She explained how hard it was.
She still has the infection (which is odd, because it’s been 5 weeks), so I figure she could ask if he could prescribe it for her, to help.
I think that is a good enough reason to get a prescription, but I’m not sure about how getting prescriptions work.
Incidentally a few of you have mentioned taking wellbutrin instead of zyban; what’s the difference?
My wife doesn’t have insurance currently, so it’s not going to be a matter of which will be covered under what plan. I’m just curious as to which one would work the best.
BTW-under the conditions that my wife has, would it be hard for her to get a prescription? Also, what are the side effects (was the loss of sex drive really noticiable?)?
Wellbutrin and Zyban are the same drug. Note that Wellbutrin comes in different extended release forms, just make sure the doc gives you the equivalent release form. Advertising for Zyban costs $ so it’s a lot higher.
Think of it like Norwich vs Bayer aspirin, except its made by the same company.
Honestly, I’ve not noticed a lack of sex drive. Just a little bit of dry mouth and a tendency to really enjoy ice water. Dunno why that is, but I can suddenly drink my weight (which is no mean feat) in ice water and quite often do.