Anyone tried Zyban or Chantix to aid smoking cessation?

I haven't had much luck with Nicotine Replacement methods (the patches), as I think drawing out the nicotine addiction actually just makes it worse for me as far as mood swings and depression goes. I was thinking of maybe trying the Zyban or Chantix for 12 weeks as an aid to quitting cold turkey. It is supposed to help with mood swings and as an aid to surpress weight gain, as well. Apparently you keep smoking for the first ten days and then quit. Has anyone had any luck with either one?

I quit several years ago using Zyban. It was amazing with the cravings - I just didn't have any. Easiest quit I've ever done, but I did gain weight.

I also restarted smoking after a few years of being smoke-free due to stress. I don't blame the zyban for that

Thanks for the feedback on that. I was leaning toward Zyban since the Chantix causes nausea and I have a weak stomach as it is (but the nausea is what is supposed to help you quit smoking - it makes you feel ill everytime you smoke, so you associate that feeling with smoking). I've been working hard to lose weight, so I'd hate to put it back on, but I am sure I could hopefully keep the weight gain to a minimum by exercising a bit more. Plus gaining a few pounds is not nearly as detrimental to my health (and appearance) as smoking. 

I have a friend who took Chantix and he had a terrible experience with it.  It gave him absolutely horrible night terrors and made him feel miserable (some feel suicidal on it).  He stopped taking it after a couple of weeks.  That said, another friend took it and had similar symptoms but managed to get through them and he hasn't had a cigarette since.

I would be really sure that it's your last and only option before you take it.  I'm not sure about Zyban.

I quit cold turkey about a year and half ago.  It certainly wasn't even remotely easy especially when all my friends smoke, but you'll feel really good about yourself when you've kicked it! 

Good luck!

Good luck with it.  If mediation doesn't work, you could consider a different form of NRT.  IIRC, there was a study about 5 or 10 years ago about nicotine receptors and how the different NRT methods can be harder or easier depending on the type of addiction you have.  Patches never worked for me or anyone I've known.  I did well with the gum, and chewed it for years after I quit.  Now when I get the occasional nicotine craving, I totally crave the gum rather than smoking.  Cigarettes repulse me now, and I think that the fact that I did give myself the time to want to totally give up nicotine means I put distance between the cigarettes and my addiction.

Best of luck, but I think the biggest secret is if you fail to never quit quitting.

I quit years ago with Zyban (wellbutrin) and I did not gain weight. I also did not stay quit.(no fault of the Zyban) I quit for 7 months . I just got the dumb idea that I could have one or two cigarettes a day . NOT!

Last year ,I was going to try to quit with Chantix, I had bought the stuff and everything .Once I read all the side effects I was too afraid to take it. Stupidly ,I wound up giving it to my bipolar sister. She wound up in the psyche ward .Anyone with depression or any kind of mental disorder should NOT take that stuff.

I did manage to quit for 4 months ,with patches. I only used them for a week and then went cold turkey. After gaining about 20 pounds ,yep...I resumed smoking.

Next time ...and there WILL be a next time....I am going to use the patches for 8 weeks and hope for a miricle.


                                               Good luck !

My hubby used Chantix for less than 2 weeks and it made him really really sick.  He had nausea and vomiting off and on, but the nightmares and general "bad" feeling were the worse part.  He actually quit smoking right after that (it's been about 3 months now) without anything...not sure if the Chantix helped kick start him or what.  When I mentioned it to my mom, she said that my aunt and uncle had both used Chantix for a few weeks and stopped it because it made them so sick.

My father quit a 52 year two pack a day habit of smoking using Chantix.  He was able to smoke the first week on it, but only had the desire to smoke a couple of cigarettes in a day (from over a pack a day).  AFter the end of the second week, he's had no desire to smoke at all.  He's now been smoke free for about four years. 

I know that it has a lot of side effects and not for everyone, but this was his experience.  He didn't have any of the side effects (thank goodness) from it.

I quit using Chantix and it was the BEST thing ever!!! I highly recommend it!!! I smoked for about 2 weeks on it and then I didnt want anymore. The only side effect I had was the weird dreams. No big deal at all. I started back but that was my own fault. I went to Vegas and went out and it was downhill from there. Completely not Chantix's fault. You still need willpower after you finish the medicine (6 months). My mom however has much more willpower than I do and has been smoke free for 4 or 5 years after smoking for 30+ years.

Jewlz, is there an NHS Cessation Service in your area where you could discuss your concerns and options, if you haven't contacted them already?

http://smokefree.nhs.uk/

I've got an appointment with the smoking cessation counselor at my local surgery a week from today. DH is going, too, and we are planning to quit together. It makes it extra hard that we are both smokers and last time we quit with the patch but we were so grumpy we were bickering at each other the whole time (something we never usually do) and we ended up starting again as its easy to influence each other in the wrong direction. That is why we were thinking of trying the Zyban this time to hopefully help us combat the mood swings and cravings while we quit. We both do want to quit, each for our own reasons, and I really think going through it together will be helpful in some ways, too. I just hope both of us make it this time.

I've got an appointment with the smoking cessation counselor at my local surgery a week from today. DH is going, too, and we are planning to quit together. It makes it extra hard that we are both smokers

When I finally quit, it was because Mr MLG quit at the same time as well. It makes it much easier if you do it together. 

Good luck with your appointment! Really, that's brilliant you are trying to quit! 

When I finally quit, it was because Mr MLG quit at the same time as well. It makes it much easier if you do it together. 

Good luck with your appointment! Really, that's brilliant you are trying to quit! 

Thanks! 

Well, DH couldn't make our appointment because he was called to a meeting. So I went alone and they said they didn't schedule enough time for the appointment and I may as well reschedule so DH and I could go together. Then they said they won't prescribe Zyban at our surgery because of the side effects, but will prescribe Chantix. I've heard it has more side effects than Zyban, but she says its the other way around. Grrr. I have a weak stomach and wasn't really wanting to take something that would make me sick all the time. I don't know what I should do now. 

That really stinks Jewlz!  I have no advice, but good luck with quitting!