Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Chantix, is it really a magic pill?

By Chris James

Chantix has been found to be one medication that has finally helped people to quit smoking when others have failed. Working like a nicotine blocker in the brain, it attaches itself to the nicotine receptors and blocks its absorption. And because there are fewer feel good receptors that the nicotine can freely attach itself to, it lessens the desire you have for a cigarette.

Many people have quit using this method relatively easily, with very little withdrawal symptoms. Even longtime, three pack a day smokers are amazed. Chantix is available only by prescription, so you need to book a doctor's visit and make sure that your insurance will cover Chantix, many insurance companies are slow to cover smoking cessation medication in general. However, if your insurance happens to cover Chantix, expect it to be in a higher tier of your pharmacy co-pay.

Since Chantix contains no nicotine, it is not necessary to quit smoking when you begin the medication. You will receive a starter pack that gradually builds up the medication in your system over the next two weeks.

Whether you pick a quit day two weeks or three weeks out in order to allow the medication to build up even further is unimportant. The important thing is that you do pick a quit day and stick to it.

There are several side effects that have been experienced, but this can vary greatly from person to person, and are normally temporary. Extremely vivid dreams are most notable especially during the first few weeks of using the medication, as well as excessive gas, nausea and in some cases headaches.

Chantix comes with a very good, free online support system and is designed for you to start receiving support even prior to beginning medication. Daily e-mail updates are sent to your inbox that direct you back to the site for further support with projects designed to help you keep on track.

Although Chantix works very well, it may not be the medication for everyone. It appears to more effective for smokers who are addicted physically to nicotine and not so much psychologically addicted. Therefore if your addiction is more mental than physical, then your doctor may prescribe something different to better suit your needs.

Whatever you do, do not think that Chantix, or any other stop smoking aid for that matter, is the magic pill that is going to make you quit. Only medications used with a strond desire to quit have a chance of being successful. The medications, Chantix included, are only there to give us an edge in quitting, not do it for us. - 15275

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