According to Dr. Peter F. Ullrich of Spine-Health.com, Zyban was the first prescription drug used for smoking cessation. Also known as Wellbutrin, Zyban was originally approved for the treatment of depression. If you have a strong desire to quit smoking, but are finding it difficult to stop, Zyban may be the drug for you.
Step 1
Get a prescription from your doctor. Zyban is available by prescription only, so to begin taking it, you need to visit your doctor first. During your visit, be sure to mention any medical conditions you suffer from, as well as any medications you may be taking; either one of these may hinder your ability to safely use Zyban as a smoking cessation option.
Step 2
Begin taking the pills. Your doctor will prescribe the dose he feels is right for you. Zyban is typically taken twice a day, eight hours apart. You may take it with or without food, but if you find yourself suffering from an upset stomach, take it with a meal. Healthcentral.com recommends taking no more than 150 mg in a single dose, or 300 mg per day. Doing so can increase your risk of experiencing a seizure.
Step 3
Set a quit date. It is recommended by HealthSquare.com that you set your quit date during the second week of your course of treatment, since it is safe to smoke while using Zyban. It takes approximately a week for the medication to build up in your system, so setting your date a week after beginning your medication increases your chances of success.
Step 4
Take the pills whole. The Zyban pills are meant to be a slow-release medication. Crushing, chewing or breaking them results in a rapid release of the medication, thus increasing your chances of suffering from the side effects, which include seizures.
Step 5
Use in combination with another smoking cessation aid. Using Zyban in combination with another type of smoking cessation aid, such as the nicotine patch or gum, is perfectly safe and may increase your chances of success in the long run. If you choose to do this, speak with your doctor first in case he needs to adjust your dose of Zyban. Also, keep in mind that it is not safe to smoke while wearing the nicotine patch.
Things You'll Need
- Prescription from doctor
- Nicotine patch or gum
