Easiest Way To Kick Your Nicotine Addiction

[sheeza]

How many times have you resolved to kick the butt forever but found that it's easier said than done?

Now, amidst a host of aids to quit smoking like nicotine gum and patches, pharmaceutical giant Pfizer has just launched India's first anti-smoking drug called Champix.

“It's been already launched globally and there are almost 5.4 million smokers prescriptions for this product,â€￾ said Pfizer MD, Kewal Handa.

Champix binds the nicotine receptors in the brain, thereby reducing the craving and withdrawal symptoms.

A warning, though. Champix was approved by the US FDA in May 2006, under the name of Chantix. But after nearly 500 reports of suicidal thoughts and severe violent behaviour, including 39 suicides, amongst users without previous psychiatric illness, the FDA has now asked for additional safety information. Another popular anti-smoking drug Zyban has also been linked to a large number of deaths since its launch.

Psychiatrist Dr Sameer Malhotra affirms this.

"There are certain side-effects that come with most of the medications which are available. There are no ideal, perfect drugs in the market as yet,â€￾ he said.

As a smoker looking to quit, it is better to be aware of the side-effects, and make sure you go for anti-smoking aids only after proper prescription.

If you have any psychiatric history, you must tell your physician. Kidney patients, pregnant and breast-feeding women are strictly prohibited from taking a course of this drug.

Getting over an addiction is perhaps one of the hardest things and though anti-smoking drugs help greatly, ultimately it’s your will power and determination which comes in handy.