New Stop Smoking Pill No More Effective Than Other Aids

The newest "stop smoking pill" is Varenicline, sold under the brand name Chantix in the US and Champix in Europe and Canada. This stop smoking medication was approved by the FDA in August 2006 and was approved for sale in Europe shortly thereafter.



The normal FDA review period of 10 months was shortened to six months for Chantix, allowing the drug to be placed on the market more quickly. According to the FDA's press release, the new stop smoking pill received a "priority review" because of its "significant potential benefit to public health".



The fact is that Chantix, although it is considered a "unique" compound, derives chemically from cytisine, which has been used as a "stop smoking medication" for over 40 years in Eastern Europe. Cytisine is a toxic compound that acts very similar to nicotine.



After analyzing accumulated data involving thousands of smokers, researchers at the University of Geneva concluded that "Cytisine may be effective for smoking cessation." Coincidentally, the Geneva review was released in August of 2006.



Advertising for this "new" stop smoking pill claims that Chantix is more effective than Zyban, the name given to the anti-depressant Welbutrin, when it is prescribed as a stop smoking medication. The fact is that Chantix was only slightly more effective than Zyban in only two of the five independent studies that were completed and patients in the study also received daily counseling.



Over the years, several different anti-depressants have been prescribed as a stop smoking medication. Nicotine replacement therapy, gums, patches, lozenges and nasal spray are commonly used. The gums and patches are sold over the counter in the United States. Overall, studies have shown that about 80% of all smokers will return to smoking within the first year, regardless of the therapy they chose to use.



In April 2007, Pfizer research and development published a study concluding that people could safely take the new stop smoking pill for 52 weeks or one year. The FDA has only approved Chantix for 12 weeks of use, followed by an additional 12 weeks if the person has stopped smoking.



The knowledge that most people return to smoking in the first year may have prompted the Pfizer study, but the results do not indicate that the new stop smoking medication is any more effective than other drugs, including nicotine replacement. Only 53.8% of the smokers completed the study. Of those who did, only 36.7% had not returned to smoking.



In other words, of the 251 smokers who began the study, only 49 completed the study and were still not smoking after one year. Those numbers indicate that Chantix is only effective 19% of the time. Placebo (inactive substances) when combined with a support program is effective 14% of the time. In fact, in a new study published in June 2007, researchers concluded that counseling is just as effective as any stop smoking medication currently on the market.



The researchers went on to say that counseling is the "sole approach without any adverse effects". Negative side effects of the new stop smoking pill are similar to those of nicotine replacement, including nausea, headache, vomiting, insomnia and abnormal dreams, with the added side effect of altering one's sense of taste.



A new drug free, nicotine free system with no adverse side effects reports a 90% success rate. To learn more please visit http://www.stop-smoking-blog.com.

Herbal Pill to Stop Smoking

In this article I'm going to talk about an herbal pills to stop smoking. Quitting is arguably one of the hardest things anyone can go through. Your body is dependent upon nicotine to the point where it doesn't feel normal without it. In quitting smoking, you are removing a part of your body that it has become so accustomed to. You're body is going to dramatically let you know that something is wrong which makes the first week of quitting the hardest. Quit smoking aids are a great way to help you get through this extremely difficult time by drastically reducing these physical symptoms.



Most people can't get through the first few weeks of quitting. The 2 markers you want to focus on getting through is the 3rd day and the 3rd week. The cravings are going to be intense the first few days, and it will usually peak around the third day. Herbal pills are a great way to ease through these days as they help battle the negative withdrawal symptoms during this time.



There are a few herbal pills to stop smoking that are popular but one herbal formula that has been getting recent buzz in Nicocure because of its effectiveness. Its made up of Lobella Infalta, which is sometimes called Indian Tobacco. It will give your body similar effects of smoking while you are trying to actually quit smoking. When you stop taking nicotine all together with herbal pills, the cravings will be handled and you're body will be put in a relaxed state to combat the high stress it would usually feel during this time.



The success rate with herbal pills to stop smoking is very strong, as the majority of users quit for good. This is encouraging because for those who try to quit cold turkey, or through the use of nicotine patches or gums, the failure rate is very high. If you are determined, focused, and mentally prepared, herbal pills will be the best aid in successfully getting through the hardest first few weeks of quitting.

Do Stop Smoking Patches and Pills Really Work?

The million dollar question many people who want to quit smoking ask is, "Do pills and patches really work for quitting smoking?" Depending on whom you ask, some will say yes, while others will say no. The bottom line: It depends on the type of smoker and the type of addiction/habit they possess with their nicotine consumption.



First, the premise of both the patch and the pill are to supplement the individual with lower doses of nicotine and gradually wean them off the substance-nicotine.



Most Smokers are Not Physically Addicted to the Nicotine Alone:
The premise is all fine and dandy, but here in lies the rub...most smokers are not actually physically addicted to the nicotine alone, but also the mechanics of smoking. The actual act of smoking has become a way of life and a normal, daily functioning routine.



By taking a pill you may satisfy the craving for nicotine but you don't fulfill the desire to part-take in the act of smoking a cigarette. This is where the true dilemma for using nicotine replacements like patches and pills begins.



Many individuals who are trying to quit smoking, who opt to use the patch open up a fresh can of worms crawling with danger. This danger is actually increasing levels of nicotine consumption! You see, even though individuals using patches and pills are getting their dose/fill of nicotine, they are not getting their fill of lighting up, habitually smoking and/or socializing with the cigarette in hand.



Idle Hands are Evil Hands:
Have you ever heard of the expression, idle hands are evil hands? What this leads to is the need to actually smoke, not for the nicotine, rather for the fulfilling of the actions-the routine of manipulating a cigarette.



What happens is the potential for an individual to actually load their body up with excessive levels of nicotine.



Ironically, if they didn't possess a physical addiction to nicotine to begin with, the longer they engage in this behavior, the more likely they are going to develop the physical component for nicotine!



In theory, the pills and patches sound great. Plaster a patch on your body or pop a pill in your mouth and presto, the urge to smoke is gone! However, this is not usually how it works. The pills and patches will only be effective on their own if the individual has a nicotine addiction and not a cigarette smoking addiction per se.



Therefore, if they were a tobacco chewer only, it might be highly effective. Then again in this case, if the tobacco was chewed in a rewarding social light, then the pill and patch probably wouldn't work alone for them either!



Implement a Complementary Behavior to Compensate:
In order for the pill and patch to be close to effective, the individual needs to implement some kind of complimentary behavioral strategy to compensate for the actions of smoking. For example, say the individual opted to use the patch; they might be inclined to chew on carrot sticks, a tooth pick or something else every time they felt the need to light up. Their body is already getting the nicotine, but their mind isn't getting satisfied fulfilling the rote action of smoking.



Can pills and patches really work if you put all your ducks in order?



Yes, but it is extremely important for the mind to be retrained throughout the process of smoking cessation. You can try all of the magical pills and potions until the cows come home, but you need to develop a set of positive behaviors to replace the negative actions of smoking. Modifying your behaviors are the ducks which need to be lined up!



And being successful at modifying behaviors is what most smokers find the toughest and why many eventually seek professional help.