It all starts with a single, innocent puff just to keep up with peers or to understand ‘what the fuss is all about’. And before you know it, you are addicted to smoking.
There is no need for this article to touch on the ill effects of smoking, which are well known and especially by smokers themselves. Therefore smokers are trying their best to quit. Unfortunately, quitting is not easy but the use of appropriate anti-smoking aids can help.
Why is Smoking Addictive
Smoking becomes addictive due to the presence of nicotine in tobacco, which is responsible for the ‘high’ associated with smoking. Nicotine is addictive in that the body constantly craves a certain level of nicotine at all times to experience the pleasurable sensations it is used to.
The Need for Anti-Smoking Aids
Quitting without the use of anti-smoking aids leads to severe nicotine withdrawal symptoms. If you were to completely stop smoking, the nicotine levels in the body plummet and the body reacts in an extreme physical manner characterized by sweating, headache, nausea and even respiratory symptoms. You may also experience heightened stress levels. The withdrawal symptoms usually peak 48 hours after quitting, which is the reason most smokers go back after being clean for about two days. Anti-smoking aids help you reduce nicotine levels gradually so that withdrawal symptoms are not manifested, increasing your chances to quit completely.
Varenicline – An Effective Anti-Smoking Aid
Varenicline is a prescription medication used to treat smoking addiction, available under the brand name Champix.
How Does Champix Work
Champix exerts its effect by virtue of the partial agonist action of varenicline on the nicotinic receptors in the brain. This means there is some stimulation of the receptors, reducing the body craving for nicotine and eliminating the withdrawal symptoms. Further, the partial agonist nature of varenicline prevents nicotine from binding to the nicotinic receptors, reducing the pleasurable effects associated with smoking.
Thus using a two-pronged approach varenicline helps smokers quit.
How to Use Champix
Champix is available in the form of oral tablets. Your doctor may advise to start the course of Champix a week prior to the date you have set to quit smoking. You may smoke during this time, but you find that it is not as pleasurable as before (due to partial agonist activity). So you are better disposed not to smoke from the day you had set. And you remain steely in your resolve because you don’t experience any withdrawal symptoms (again due to partial agonist activity). Normally a course of 12 weeks is prescribed followed by a repetition of the same to prevent relapse.
Side Effects of Varnecline
Some common side effects include constipation gas, heartburn, nausea and vomiting.
In the end remember, any anti-smoking aid is just that – an aid. What is crucial and will see you through is your own determination and motivation to quit smoking.
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The author of the article is the spokesperson for www.respectpharmacy.com
