treatment type: drug availability: prescription treatment duration: 12 weeks dose: 150 mg/day initially cost per day: $4.00 for comparison, calculate how much you currently spend on tobacco products per day
Information about Nicotine Replacement Therapy on this website is based on data on adults only. The safety and efficacy of NRT for teens has not been sufficiently evaluated in order for the FDA to approve it for use for those under 18. However, clinical practice guidelines by the U.S. Public Health Service advise that physicians can consider prescribing NRT to those under 18 'when there is evidence of nicotine dependence and a desire to quit tobacco use.'(6) Before receiving a prescription for NRT, a teenager must be carefully evaluated by a doctor in order to determine whether they may benefit from using NRT, and whether the potential benefits of using it outweigh the potential risks.
Regardless of your age, it is always wise to consult a health care provider before beginning a smoking cessation program.
the bottom line
Bupropion SR (sustained-release) is a non-nicotine pill approved to treat tobacco dependence; it is also used as an antidepressant. Bupropion treatment must be initiated before the quit attempt, and it prepares a smoker's body for the actual stress of quitting. Bupropion is easy to take and the side effects from taking it are minimal. The most common side effects are insomnia (in 35-40% of users) and dry mouth (10%).(6) Users can minimize the risk of insomnia by abstaining from a dose near bedtime or by taking it much earlier in the afternoon or evening (though doses should be taken in intervals of at least 8 hours). Less common side effects include shakiness, skin irritations, headaches, and dizziness. The major drawback of bupropion is that people with a history of seizures or eating disorders and those taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or another medication containing bupropion (such as Wellbutrin to treat depression) should not use bupropion for smoking cessation purposes.(6)
definition
Bupropion SR was the first non-nicotine medication approved to treat tobacco dependence. This drug, which is also used as an antidepressant, was made available by prescription for smoking cessation purposes in 1997,(33) under the brand name "Zyban." Researchers presume that blocking reuptake of the neurotransmitters dopamine and/or norepinephrine is what makes this drug effective; however, this has not been definitively established.(6)
Users are advised to begin taking bupropion approximately 1-2 weeks before they plan to quit, as this is the amount of time required to achieve a steady blood level of the medication. The recommended dose is 150 mg daily for 3 days, then 150 mg twice daily (for a daily total of 300 mg) for up to 12 weeks.(6,33) For maintenance therapy, bupropion can be used for up to 6 months, which is the FDA-approved duration. However, some research shows that using the medication for up to 12 months is both safe and effective at preventing relapse.(34) Treatment duration should be discussed with a doctor and geared towards the individual's progress. However, those not making significant progress in quitting by the seventh week should consider discontinuing the attempt and stop taking bupropion.(35) The average cost of bupropion is approximately $4.00 per day, plus any necessary doctor's or prescribing fee.
explanation
Bupropion is considered a first-line therapy because it has been proven effective in helping smokers quit; research shows that using bupropion can nearly double quit rates compared to placebo.(6) This is equivalent to the benefit achieved with NRT. Bupropion offers many benefits to those trying to quit. Because bupropion treatment must be initiated before the quit attempt, it prepares a smoker's body for the actual stress of quitting. Many people like bupropion because it is an alternative to traditional nicotine replacement, or because they have previously tried NRT without success. Further, this therapy is in the form of a twice-daily pill, which is an easy regimen to follow. Another benefit of bupropion is that the side effects are minimal. The most common side effects are insomnia (in 35-40% of users) and dry mouth (10%).(6) Users can minimize the risk of insomnia by abstaining from a dose near bedtime or by taking it much earlier in the afternoon or evening (though doses should be taken in intervals of at least 8 hours). Less common side effects include shakiness, skin irritations, headaches, and dizziness.
The major drawback of bupropion is that people with a history of seizures or eating disorders and those taking a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor or another medication containing bupropion (such as Wellbutrin to treat depression) should not use bupropion for smoking cessation purposes.(6) In addition, similar to recommendations for NRTs, pregnant and lactating women should be encouraged to quit first and consider bupropion only when the prospect of quitting without it is minimal. Although there is no evidence of danger to a fetus or nursing infant, women who are pregnant or lactating should check with a physician prior to starting this or any other medication.
