Ready to Quit Smoking? A Look at Medicines That Can Help

09/24/2026

 

What are the quit-smoking medications?

Smoking cessation medicines can make a seemingly impossible task easier. These medications can help you control cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Go through the details below to know more about quit-smoking medication options:

Varenicline (Chantix)

Chantix is the brand name for Varenicline, which is an FDA-approved drug to help people stop smoking. It has two effects: it reduces the pleasure a person derives from smoking, and it reduces the nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Varenicline remains helpful for people to quit smokeless tobacco. It can increase the chance of quitting as compared to taking no medicines at all, at least in the short term.

This medicine works in two ways. First, it binds to and blocks nicotine receptors in the brain. This makes smoking a cigarette feel less satisfying. Second, it partially stimulates the nicotine receptors of the brain. This helps reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

The potential side effects of this medicine are:

• Headache

• Nausea or vomiting

• Difficulty sleeping, sleepwalking, or vivid dreams

• Gas and diarrhea

• Constipation

• Taste changes

• Skin rashes

• Mood or behavior changes such as hallucinations, aggression, delusions, depression, hostility, agitation, panic, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts

• Heart or blood vessel problems

How to take Varenicline?

Varenicline is a prescription medicine and should be taken only when your doctor prescribes it. Never take it casually or without medical advice. The following are general guidelines for taking Varenicline:

• Consume Varenicline with food to reduce potential nausea or as advised by your doctor.

• Take this medicine 1 to 2 times daily. Start taking this medicine and determine a fixed date to quit smoking between 8-35 days after you begin treatment; however, adhere to your doctor’s recommendation regarding the dosage and duration.

• Take this medicine whole with a glass of water.

• Never crush, chew, or split the tablet.

Warnings and Precautions of Taking Varenicline

This section highlights the key safety information you should know before taking this medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider about any concerns, especially if you have underlying medical conditions or are taking other medications.

• Report to your doctor if you have had an allergic reaction to varenicline or any of the active or inactive ingredients in this medicine. Your healthcare provider or the pharmacist can share a list of this medication's ingredients.

• This medicine is not safe for patients having epilepsy(seizure disorder), blood vessel or heart disease, or kidney disease. Report to your doctor if you have had nicotine withdrawal symptoms with previous attempts to smoking cessation treatment.

• Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding. Smoking is linked to many risks, including premature birth, congenital disabilities, stillbirth, neonatal death, low birth weight, sudden infant death syndrome, and reduced treatment with this medicine.

• This medicine can cause drowsiness, dizziness, and reduced concentration. Do not drive or operate any machinery if you suffer from such symptoms.

Bupropion (Zyban)

Bupropion, marketed under the brand name Zyban, is another FDA-regulated medicine to quit tobacco. It’s a prescription antidepressant in an extended-release form that helps avoid cravings and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. It works on chemicals in the brain that are associated with nicotine craving. It has the added benefit of reducing the initial weight gain from stopping smoking.

There are also different forms of bupropion known as Wellbutrin or Aplenzin, but the FDA does not approve these for tobacco cessation.

How to take Bupropion?

Never use bupropion without talking to a doctor first. Doing so can make it less effective and cause health problems. Take it exactly as your doctor tells you to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Here’s how to take it safely.

• This medicine should be consumed exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

• The standard regimen is once or twice daily, mainly in the morning or split between morning and afternoon.

• You can take the first dose upon waking, with or without food, and a second dose 8 or more hours later if prescribed.

• Avoid taking this medicine in the late evening or within 8 hours of bedtime to reduce sleep disruption.

• Take this medicine whole with water.

Warnings and Precautions of Taking Bupropion

To use this medicine safely, be aware of the potential risks and situations that require extra care. Go through the following warnings and precautions before taking this medication.

Do not take bupropion if you have:

• Heavy alcohol use

• Seizures

• Bipolar illness

• Liver disease

• Eating disorders

• Treatment with monoamine oxidase inhibitor  (MAOI)

Do not take this medicine if you have recently stopped or plan to stop using :

• Certain sedatives and anti-anxiety medicines

• Alcohol

• Medicines for epilepsy

Caution is advised before taking this medicine if you.

• Are pregnant

• Are breastfeeding

• Are driving or working on heavy machinery

Seek your doctor’s consultation before taking this medicine.

Other Medications

Nortriptyline

This is an antidepressant medicine that may help quit tobacco by reducing withdrawal symptoms. It helps to reduce the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety and stress. It may be useful if you don’t experience success with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or other medications.

Clonidine

Clonidine is a blood pressure medicine that may help quit smoking by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Although clonidine may not be the best option for you to quit smoking, it might be useful for people who are not helped by nicotine replacement therapy or antidepressants.

Nicotine replacement therapy(NRT)

NRT is a method to quit smoking. This therapy uses nicotine in forms other than cigarette smoking, such as gum, patches, inhalers, nasal sprays, and lozenges. These nicotine forms are tobacco-free and permit patients to gratify their nicotine craving without formaldehyde, inhaling tar, and other dangerous substances found in cigarettes. The final result is for users to eventually taper off use of NRTs so that they can be completely nicotine-free.

Nicotine Inhalers

A nicotine inhaler is a prescription NRT that comes in a handheld, pen-like device. Nicotine inhalers deliver nicotine vapor to your mouth and throat-not your lungs. The goal of these inhalers is to help deal with nicotine cravings without the damage that cigarettes can cause. Use them as directed by your healthcare provider, up to 16 cartridges per day. Side effects of inhalers include mouth and throat irritation and coughing.

Over-the-counter medications for smoking cessation

Some smoking cessation medicines can be found at your online drug store and are purchased without a prescription. Options include:

Nicotine patches

These are sticky patches that are applied directly to your skin. They are available in different strengths and release a steady, regulated amount of nicotine across the day, which is absorbed through your skin and helps to minimize cravings. This patch delivers a steady dose of nicotine through the skin. Apply one patch daily, and remove the old patch before applying a new one. The nicotine patch is available in different strengths such as 7mg, 14mg and 21 mg. Side effects include skin irritation and rashes.

Nicotine gum

Nicotine gum is another form of over-the-counter NRT. These gums contain nicotine, which is absorbed in the mouth and provides a safer alternative to smoking while helping users minimize their nicotine dependence. Chew the gum pieces to release nicotine. This formulation of nicotine gum is available in 2 mg and 4mg strengths. The side effects of this nicotine gum are jaw soreness, hiccups, and nausea.

Nicotine lozenges

Nicotine lozenges are an over-the-counter NRT option. These dissolvable tablets are identical to cough drops, but they contain nicotine. Similar to other NRTs, these lozenges are considered less harmful for users than tobacco products like cigarettes and vapes.  These lozenges dissolve in the mouth, releasing nicotine to reduce cravings. Typically, users take one lozenge every 1-2 hours. These lozenges come in different strengths, such as 2 mg and 4 mg. Side effects include mouth irritation, hiccups, and heartburn.

Nicotine Nasal Spray(Nicotrol NS)

Nicotine nasal spray is another form of prescription NRT. It is usually available in a small bottle with a narrow spray tip that you insert into your nostril. When you press down on the spray bottle, it spreads a wet mist or spray of nicotine in your nose, which is then absorbed into your nasal membranes to help reduce nicotine cravings. Use nicotine nasal spray in each nostril per hour, as directed by your healthcare provider. Side effects of nicotine nasal spray include headaches, nasal irritation, runny nose, coughing, and watery eyes.

Conclusion

Quitting smoking is a rewarding but challenging journey. With the right smoking cessation drugs, such as nicotine replacement therapy or prescription drugs such as varenicline and bupropion, you can be able to effortlessly reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings to make quitting smoking easier. In this way, you can greatly improve your chances of success and can help overcome this addiction and enjoy a healthier, smoke-free life.