WHAT IS ZYBAN?
Zyban is a prescription drug that was originally designed to be an antidepressant but has been found to be effective in helping individuals stop smoking by reducing the withdrawal effects from nicotine.
HOW DOES ZYBAN WORK
Meanwhile, Zyban really helps people quit smoking and scientists consider it to be due to the nature of Zyban as an antidepressant. It helps people overcome the cravings and smoking withdrawal symptoms: irritability, frustration, anxiety, anger and depression, which are often the main reasons to restart smoking.
Zyban helps overcome such conditions, setting balance in certain substances in human brain, which are responsible for addiction process. These substances are dopamine and norepinephrine. Affecting them, Zyban reduces the nicotine addiction as well as the cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Undoubtedly, Zyban is the progressive option to treat nicotine addiction, but it won’t help without strong will and firm decision of smoker himself. One should make a personal choice to walk on the road of quitting smoking and Zyban only helps make this road shorter and easier to walk.
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
breathing problems
changes in vision
confusion
fast or irregular heartbeat
increased blood pressure
suicidal thoughts or other mood changes
unusually weak or tired
vomiting
allergic reaction
Zyban Dosage for Smoking Cessation
The recommended starting dose when quitting smoking is Zyban 150 mg, taken once daily in the morning. As soon as the fourth day of treatment, your healthcare provider may increase this to Zyban 150 mg, taken twice daily.
You should start taking Zyban while you are still smoking, because it takes about a week to build up the required level of the medication in your blood. You and your healthcare provider should choose a "quit date" -- usually some time in the second week you are taking Zyban.
You should take Zyban for at least 7 to 12 weeks. If you have not made any progress toward quitting by the seventh week, your healthcare provider may decide to take you off this medication.
