Quitting Smoking

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What are the benefits of quitting smoking? " пїЅ Quitting smoking can lower your chances of getting or dying from heart disease, lung disease, or cancer. It can also lower your chances of getting osteoporosis, a condition that makes your bones weak. Plus, quitting smoking can help your skin look younger and reduce the chances that you will have problems with sex. пїЅ пїЅ

Quitting smoking will improve your health no matter how old you are, and no matter how long or how much you have smoked. пїЅ пїЅ

What should I do if I want to quit smoking? " пїЅ The letters in the word "START " пїЅ can help you remember the steps to take: пїЅ пїЅ

S = Set a quit date. пїЅ пїЅ

T = Tell family, friends, and the people around you that you plan to quit. пїЅ пїЅ

A = Anticipate or plan ahead for the tough times youll face while quitting. пїЅ пїЅ

R = Remove cigarettes and other tobacco products from your home, car, and work. пїЅ пїЅ

T = Talk to your doctor about getting help to quit. пїЅ пїЅ

How can my doctor or nurse help? " пїЅ Your doctor or nurse can give you advice on the best way to quit. He or she can also put you in touch with counselors or other people you can call for support. Plus, your doctor or nurse can give you medicines to: пїЅ пїЅ

Reduce your craving for cigarettes
Reduce the unpleasant symptoms that happen when you stop smoking (called "withdrawal symptoms " пїЅ).

You can also get help from a free phone line (1-800-QUIT-NOW) or go online to www.smokefree.gov. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of withdrawal? " пїЅ The symptoms include: пїЅ пїЅ

Trouble sleeping
Being irritable, anxious or restless
Getting frustrated or angry
Having trouble thinking clearly

Some people who stop smoking become temporarily depressed. Some of them need treatment for depression, such as counseling or antidepressant medicines. If you get depressed when you quit smoking, tell your doctor or nurse about it. пїЅ пїЅ

How do medicines help? " пїЅ Different medicines work in different ways: пїЅ пїЅ

Nicotine replacement therapy eases withdrawal and reduces your body's craving for nicotine, the main drug found in cigarettes. Non-prescription forms of nicotine replacement include skin patches, lozenges, and gum. Prescription forms include nasal sprays and "puffers " пїЅ or inhalers.
Bupropion is a prescription medicine that reduces your desire to smoke. This medicine is sold under the brand names Zyban and Wellbutrin. It is also available in a generic version, which is cheaper than brand-name medicines.
Varenicline (brand name: Chantix) is a prescription medicine that reduces withdrawal symptoms and cigarette cravings. If you think you 'd like to take varenicline and you have a history of depression, anxiety, or heart disease, discuss this with your doctor or nurse before taking the medicine.

If you take bupropion or varenicline and you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking the medicine and call your doctor or nurse: пїЅ пїЅ

Become very nervous
Become depressed
Start to do strange things
Think about killing yourself

How does counseling work? " пїЅ Counseling can happen during formal office visits or just over the phone. A counselor can help you: пїЅ пїЅ

Figure out what triggers your smoking and what to do instead
Overcome cravings
Figure out what went wrong when you tried to quit before

What works best? " пїЅ Studies show that people have the best luck at quitting if they take medicines to help them quit and work with a counselor. It might also be helpful to combine nicotine replacement with one of the prescription medicines that help people quit. In some cases, it might even make sense to take bupropion and varenicline together. пїЅ пїЅ

Will I gain weight if I quit? " пїЅ Yes, you might gain a few pounds. But quitting smoking will have a much more positive effect on your health than weighing a few pounds more. Plus, you can help prevent some weight gain by being more active and eating less. Taking the medicine bupropion might help control weight gain. пїЅ пїЅ

What else can I do to improve my chances of quitting? " пїЅ You can: пїЅ пїЅ

Start exercising.
Stay away from smokers and places that you associate with smoking. If people close to you smoke, ask them to quit with you.
Keep gum, hard candy, or something to put in your mouth handy. If you get a craving for a cigarette, try one of these instead.
Don't give up, even if you start smoking again. It takes most people a few tries before they succeed.

What if I am pregnant and I smoke? " пїЅ If you are pregnant, it's really important for the health of your baby that you quit. Ask your doctor what options you have, and what is safest for your baby. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 15429 Version 10.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ

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This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

Quitting Smoking

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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