Zap (?) smoking the Zyban way! (Zyban)

Member Name: sweetpea1

Product:	Zyban
Date:	29/03/06 (1829 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: They could help you quit smoking

Disadvantages: Then again, they might not! And the side effects.

I've been smoking for 20 years. And now I want to give up. But it's not easy. I went to see a Stop Smoking Advisor and she went through a list of options on helping me to give up smoking. One of the options was to take Bupropion HCL (Zyban), which is in tablet form. She gave me a letter which I had to take to my Doctor to get the prescription.

The Advisor told me to keep smoking in the first week and to make a stop smoking date in the second week of taking the tablets.

There is an information leaflet inside the box with loads of information on it about the drug. This drug, I was told, was originally prescribed for depression. People were returning still depressed but had given up smoking! It says on the packet that Zyban is a non-nicotine treatment that along with motivational support helps you to give up smoking. It also says that Zyban is NOT a nicotine-replacement therapy. When you inhale nicotine it sends a signal to your brain. And what Zyban is supposed to do is stop that signal going to your brain, so the nicotine is just going down into your lungs. She said that you feel just like not wanting a cigarette.

There are a number of reasons why you shouldn't take Zyban which are explained in full on the leaflet, but here are a few so you know:-
~ If you have had an allergic reaction to Zyban, Bupropion or any of the ingredients listen in Zyban.
~ If you have ever suffered any form of epilepsy or have ever had a seizure.
~ Have ever had an eating disorder
~ Have severe cirrhosis of the liver
~ Are currently taking, or have taken in the last 14 day

There is extensive information on taking Zyban with other medicines and what to do if you take too many Zyban. It says that if you miss a dose, not to take a double-dose.

The tablets are round and can be easily swalled with a drink. I was told not to crush them up into a drink (some people do!).


DOSAGE
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The tablets are 150mg. The dosage is to take 1 tablet for the first 6 days, then to take 2 tablets a day from the 7th day onwards until you finish the course. I got a box of 60 tablets. They say to leave at least 8 hours between each dose. It says that you may experience difficulty in sleeping whlist taking Zyban (although I haven't!).


SIDE EFFECTS
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Side effects are:-
~ Sudden wheezing, tightness of chest or throat, or difficulty breathing
~ Swollen eyelids, face, lips, tongue or other part of the body
~ Skin rash or blistering of the skin, especially if widespread or if you also get a sore mouth or eyes
~ Pain in the muscles or joints
~ Collapse or blackout.

Not nice. If you get any of these side effects, then stop taking them immediately!


DID THEY WORK FOR ME?
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As I said, take these tablets in the first week and set a quit date in the second week. Which I did do to be honest with you. But I just couldn't last the day without a smoke, which has annoyed me even more. I'm feeling right angry with myself at the moment 'cos I think I'm being so goddamn weak! That said, I don't find myself smoking quite as many in one day as I did, so I suppose they've done me a small favour. Not a great deal though.

Would I recommend these? Well, I'm not going to say no as it could work for you. They just don't work for everybody. If they don't work, then try something else.


PRODUCT LICENSING HOLDER & MANUFACTURER
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GlaxoSmithKlyne UK
Stockley Park West
Middlesex
UB11 1BT
ENGLAND

The tablets are made by Glaxo Wellcome SA, Aranda de Duero (Burgos), Spain.

Thanks for reading!
Louise

NOTE: This review is also written on Ciao under my username there LOUISE90.

Summary: They COULD help you quit smoking.