Experiences with Zyban?

[luvwinnie]

DH is considering it to quit smoking. Has anyone tried it? DId it work?

 

[luvwinnie]

bumping

 

[EROS]

Winnie, ZYBAN is actually an anti-depressant with a generic name of Buproprion; it is also marketed as WELLBUTRIN for psychiatric use. It's well-tolerated, though some patients experience mild stimulation. Fortunately, it has no sexual side effects in comparison to such drugs as Prozac,Zoloft, and Paxil. The FDA approved its use for smoking cessation a few years ago after its wide acceptance historically as one of many anti-depressants.

I've seen mixed results with its use. Smokers HAVE TO be highly motivated to quit IF it is to be effective. It does decrease the oral craving associated with smoking, but so much of cigarette use is psychological.

Good luck to your DH

 

[RoutemanDan]

Wellbutrin(zyban) along with the patch worked for me.I have been smoke free for over a month now.

 

[ChiTownZee]

Me! I am still taking Wellbutrin SR. It made things MUCH easier, though even after month it is still very hard at times, so even with taking it you have to really want to quit. My friends husband took it for a bit, but quit because it mad him REALLY angry all the time and his temper was through the roof, their dr. said this happens in a very small % of patients. Oh, and there's no weight gain with this one (which is why I agreed to it LOL) in fact, it supposed to help you loose a few! Let me know if you have any questions.

 

[SuiteDisney]

Keep up the good work! Best wishes to everyone who is trying to quit smoking. It's been 6 years for me.

 

[sammi]

My DH used Zyban 2 years ago and it worked very well for him. He'd in the past tried the gum and the patch but to no avail.

I can't remember exactly how long he was on it but I do know that as he neared the end of his use he was very glad it was nearly over, as it actually started to make him depressed and he's never one to feel like that. The depression cleared up as soon as he was finished the medication. I guess it can do just about anything to some people.

Good luck to you DH and also to all the others that have or are thinking of quitting. It's so so important to stop.

 

[ChiTownZee]

Oh! My problem with it (and this normally wouldn't be a problem) is that you can't drink while on it, seizure risk. My problem right now is that it's the holiday's, the one time of the year when I drink, once the tree is up, a nightly cup of egg-nog is required! And it's really not as good without the rum. Seriously contemplating going off of it until the new year. That's pretty bad I guess

 

[Wishing on a star]

My brother quit smoking on Zyban a few years ago when it first was discovered to have that effect. It worked well for him!! Athough he did experience the 'stimulant' effect.

Good Luck!

 

[EROS]

The risk of seizures with ZYBAN increases primarily at daily dosages greater than 300mg. Most patients take from 150mg-300mg qd; I've never had a patient seize on these lower dosages

 

[maleficent1959]

A woman I work with used it to quit so successfully that I talked my mom into trying it. My mom developed a bad rash from it and had to stop using it. Boy did I feel bad.

 

[iLovDisney]

I was prescribed Wellbutrin for depression, but the doctor could smell the smoke on me (even though I denied smoking!). After a week or so, the cigs tasted/felt terrible. And I didn't have the wild brain symptoms that I experienced when trying to quit on my own. I've mentioned it before on the DIS -- my brain would do anything to convince me that I had to give it more nicotine.

I do think that you have to want to quit. And you have to find healthy substitutes for the things that cigs gave you positive reinforcement for. Like relaxing after a meal or going outside for a break during work.