Breaking the habit
Newer medication has high success rate in helpingsmokers end addiction
Josh Metz
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Money/Health
If a smoker wants to add years to their life, the most important thing they can do is stop smoking. Unfortunately, quitting is not very easy, according to the U.S. Surgeon General on cancer.org.
However, there is good news. A newer form of medication is available to aid people in their goal to stop smoking.
According to the nlm.nih.gov Web site, Chantix is a medication prescribed to help people stop smoking. Taken in tablet form, Chantix is prescribed to be taken twice a day and works by blocking the effects nicotine has on the brain.
Once a smoker begins to use Chantix, the Web site said they need to set a date to quit smoking after about one week, and after that week, the person should be done smoking.
Even though the smoker should have stopped after just one week, it is important to continue taking Chantix for the prescribed 12-week period.
Dr. Paul Loomis, a family medicine physician at Luther Midelfort-Mayo Health System, 733 W. Clairemont Ave., said at first he did not think it was necessary to continue taking Chantix for 12 weeks, but after time, he found that the 12-week period has the best success.
"At first I thought maybe it was just a marketing gimmick from the company - they want you to take it for a long time," Loomis said. "But it does seem like there's something magical about those three months."
Loomis said Chantix statistically works better than other medications out now. However, he said it also depends on the person because some medicines and treatments work better for other people.
"It's probably one of the most effective, I would say - the most effective method that we have overall," Loomis said. "But it depends on the person. Some people do better with the patch, or the gum, or a lozenge, or other forms."
Senior Erik Gilomen has been smoking for about five years now. He has tried to quit three times but has not been successful.
"I think that social activities like drinking play a major role in keeping me from quitting," Gilomen said.
However, there is good news. A newer form of medication is available to aid people in their goal to stop smoking.
According to the nlm.nih.gov Web site, Chantix is a medication prescribed to help people stop smoking. Taken in tablet form, Chantix is prescribed to be taken twice a day and works by blocking the effects nicotine has on the brain.
Once a smoker begins to use Chantix, the Web site said they need to set a date to quit smoking after about one week, and after that week, the person should be done smoking.
Even though the smoker should have stopped after just one week, it is important to continue taking Chantix for the prescribed 12-week period.
Dr. Paul Loomis, a family medicine physician at Luther Midelfort-Mayo Health System, 733 W. Clairemont Ave., said at first he did not think it was necessary to continue taking Chantix for 12 weeks, but after time, he found that the 12-week period has the best success.
"At first I thought maybe it was just a marketing gimmick from the company - they want you to take it for a long time," Loomis said. "But it does seem like there's something magical about those three months."
Loomis said Chantix statistically works better than other medications out now. However, he said it also depends on the person because some medicines and treatments work better for other people.
"It's probably one of the most effective, I would say - the most effective method that we have overall," Loomis said. "But it depends on the person. Some people do better with the patch, or the gum, or a lozenge, or other forms."
Senior Erik Gilomen has been smoking for about five years now. He has tried to quit three times but has not been successful.
"I think that social activities like drinking play a major role in keeping me from quitting," Gilomen said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Robert
posted 4/20/09 @ 12:17 AM CST
The addiction to smoking is one of the worst addictions I think anyone could have and my hat is off to everyone who has quit! For the people who still smoke and want to quit there is a new device called an electronic cigarette that may help you to taper down and quit much like the nicotine patch system that is just brilliant! If you are interested in them or want more information about the product you can go to www. (Continued…)
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