BUPROPION, VARENICLIN or cytisin? What you need to know about medication for the smoke stop

Anyone who thinks is smoking is out. A survey by the Fondation Cancer and the Luxembourg Ministry of Health shows that 27 percent of the Luxembourg population from the age of 16 smokes. This corresponds to around 147,500 people. Luxembourg is thus moving in the upper midfield in the smoking quota across the EU. A lot of nicotine is consumed in Eastern Europe, least in Sweden and the Netherlands.

The health risks of smoking are known: up to 90 percent of all lung cancer cases are due to this. Every year there are around 1,000 deaths in Luxembourg that are connected to tobacco consumption.

Why weaning is so heavy

Finally non -smokers – many nicotine -dependent ones have this goal. This is particularly useful on the World Niche smoking day on May 31st. Half of all smokers in Luxembourg want to give up smoking within the next six months, statistics show. But as is well known, nicotine cessation is a challenge. Many people who smoke regularly develop not only a psychological, but also physical dependence on nicotine.

If smoking is ended abruptly, the body often reacts with withdrawal symptoms. Typical symptoms include inner unrest, irritability, sleep problems or depressed mood. The good news is: There are now proven medication and nicotine substitute products that can be used to stop the smoke.

The best aids for the smoke stop

Nicotine replacement therapy: A tried -and -tested method to make physical withdrawal easier when quitting smoking is so -called nicotine replacement therapy. The body continues to be nicotine – but in pure form and without the harmful accompanying substances of tobacco smoke such as tar or carbon monoxide.

There are various forms of dosage, for example Paving, chewing gum, lollipops, inhalators or sprays for the oral cavity. These products help to mitigate typical withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, unrest or difficulties of concentration. The nicotusis is gradually reduced so that the body can slowly get used to life without nicotine.

Nicotine replacement therapy can begin before the actual smoke stop – ideally one to two weeks in advance. In this way, the transition can be better prepared for many affected people. However, the application should start at the latest when the cigarette is avoided.

The duration of the treatment varies depending on the smoke habit and chosen preparation. As a rule, it is between six weeks and six months. If you smoke heavily or feel particularly pronounced withdrawal symptoms, you often benefit from a slightly longer application.

Nicotine patches pass the nicotine continuously over the skin and thus ensure an even mirror in the blood – they are ideal for people with high consumption (from a box per day) and pronounced physical withdrawal.

Chewing gum, lollipops, oral sprays or inhaler appear faster, but significantly shorter. These preparations are particularly suitable for occasional smokers or for the targeted bridging of acute request for smoke -for example in stressful situations or in strong habit stimuli.

Medicines for the smoke stop: In the case of pronounced nicotine addiction, a prescription drug can be used in addition to nicotine replacement therapy. Frequently prescribed active ingredients are vareniclin, bupropion or cytisin. They intervene in the brain’s nicotine -related messenger systems and can specifically dampen the request for smoke.

Since these preparations can sometimes cause serious side effects-for example on the psyche or the cardiovascular system-a close-meshed medical accompaniment is essential while taking it.

VARENICLIN: The active ingredient Vareniclin, known under the Champix trade name, starts directly in the brain. It binds to those receptors that are usually activated by nicotine – but with a weakened effect. This noticeably reduces the defense request, at the same time typical withdrawal symptoms such as nervousness or irritability are weakened.

BUPROPION: BUPROPION was originally developed to treat depression. Under the trade name Zyban, he is now also approved for smoking cessation. BUPROPION influences the balance of certain messenger substances in the brain – especially dopamine and noradrenaline – and thus has a regulatory effect on the reward system that is activated when smoking. The effect: The desire for nicotine decreases, and typical withdrawal symptoms such as concentration disorders can also be weakened.

CytiSin: CytiSin, available under the trade name asmoken, originally comes from certain butterfly flowerers such as the golden rain. Chemically it resembles nicotine and has a comparable effect in the brain like Vareniclin. Cytisin binds to the so -called nicotine receptors and partially blocks them – this dampens the desire for a cigarette and relieves typical withdrawal symptoms.

In comparison of the three medication, it turns out that Vareniclin in particular has a high success rate. Compared to a placebo, the likelihood of stopping smoking permanently doubles when the medication is taken. Vareniclin is more effective than cytisin and bupropion.

However, caution is required for all three medication in view of the side effects: Since you intervene in the metabolism of the brain, you can also cause serious side effects, such as sleep disorders, headache or mood fluctuations, depending on the individual assessment. Therefore, careful medical support is essential when taking these medication.

Behavioral therapy increases the chances of success

In addition to nicotine replacement preparations or medication, a Behavioral therapy or Smoking cessation programs be meaningful. According to experts, this combination increases the likelihood that the smoke stop will succeed. Which therapy form or which drug is under question must always be decided individually. Possible side effects, interactions with other medicines and existing previous illnesses play a central role.