Smoking adversely affects the human body and health status. Even one cigarette can cause addiction, which is very difficult to get rid of. That is why the question arises as to whether there are means to combat nicotine addiction and which drugs help quit smoking.
Currently, many products are being produced to save people from the destructive desire to smoke another cigarette. Using effective drugs is much easier to quit smoking.
The harmful effects of smoking on the human body
First of all, it is necessary to say about the harm that smoking causes to the body. Everyone knows that there are two types of smoking: active and passive. Both that, and another is very harmful to the person. Both the first and second species have the following effect:
- reduce the oxygen content in the blood, provoke the occurrence of oxygen starvation;
- increase the load on the cardiovascular system of the human body;
- participate in the pathological processes of atherosclerosis;
- violate the tone of blood vessels, damaging their walls;
- have a negative effect on the blood coagulation system;
- adversely affect the human nervous system;
- toxic effects to such an extent that smoking can cause a stroke;
- cause lung disease, including cancer;
- become one of the main reasons for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, which lead to respiratory failure;
- ingress of nicotine into the gastrointestinal tract causes erosion, ulcers and cancer of the stomach, pancreas and gall bladder;
- negatively affect the condition of the reproductive system of men, reduce potency.
In addition, smoking can damage blood vessels that feed the human lower limbs. This, in turn, can cause the development of insufficient blood supply to the legs and, as a result, gangrene and lameness.
Smoking has a negative effect on a person’s appearance. The skin and nails become yellowish. In many cases, multiple dental caries occur. In addition, over time, the condition of tooth enamel worsens. She turns yellow. The skin becomes dry, wrinkles appear ahead of time. Hair becomes dull and brittle. Fingers have an unpleasant smell of tobacco. The constant effects of nicotine on the human lungs contribute to an increased risk of cancer.
Symptoms of nicotine addiction
Nicotine addiction has certain symptoms. These include:
- irresistible desire to smoke another cigarette;
- low blood pressure;
- weakness;
- drowsiness;
- severe headaches;
- sudden changes in mood;
- irritability, desire to show aggression;
- impaired memory and attention;
- the appearance of a cough for no apparent reason;
- sleep disturbance.
These symptoms appear during abstinence from smoking. The entry of nicotine into the blood from time to time leads to dependence. Along with alcoholism, substance abuse, drug use, a harmful substance penetrates the human brain and begins to interact with receptors located in the cortex. As a result, a neurotransmitter is released - dopamine, which stimulates the nervous system. Thus, a dependency arises. To get another dose of pleasure, a person needs to smoke a cigarette.
It is worth noting that smoking is far from always addictive. In some cases, a person can independently abandon the addiction without the use of special means and without harm to his emotional state.
What medications will help you quit smoking?
Many people decide to quit smoking when they realize that they are addicted to nicotine. Unfortunately, giving up cigarettes is not as easy as starting to use them. Some people quit smoking, guided by their own willpower.
Currently, there are many tools that are designed to help combat the addiction. People use drugs to quit smoking, out of three categories:
- nicotine replacement drugs;
- drugs that prevent the interaction of nicotine with brain cells;
- antidepressants.
It is worth talking about the well-known means with which it is easiest to quit smoking. In the ranking of drugs, the places were as follows:
- Tabex.
- Nicorette.
- Nikvitin.
- Champix.
- Zyban.
Tabex
The tool is the undoubted leader in the fight against a bad habit. Use the drug to quit smoking.
Reviews about the tool are mostly positive. The average rating on a five-point scale is 4.5.
The tool is a round tablets of light brown color. The main component of Tabex is the alkaloid cytisine. Nicotine and this substance have a similar effect. However, cytisine is less toxic. The alkaloid inhibits the interaction of nicotine and the corresponding brain cells. Thanks to which the dependence on cigarettes gradually fades away. At the end of the course of taking the drug, the craving for smoking disappears altogether.
From the first to the third day, tablets should be taken every two hours. In this case, the daily dose should not exceed six doses. With each subsequent day, the number of receptions decreases by one unit.
Before using Tabex, it is recommended to consult with a specialist in a medical institution, since the drug has many contraindications.
Many people who prefer this drug say that a noticeable effect appears after four days of regular use of tablets. The craving for smoking is gradually decreasing. Three weeks later, some appear disgusted at the sight of a cigarette.
Nicorette
The tool ranks second in the ranking. It is known not only for good reviews, but also for its colorful commercials. This is one of a series of top-line quitters. Reviews confirm this.
Nicorette is available in the form of a spray. The color of the contents may vary from colorless to yellow. It has a pleasant smell of mint and fruit. In addition, you can purchase the drug in the form of a patch, as well as in the form of chewing gum. The average rating on a five-point scale is 4.6.
A huge advantage people consider the pleasant taste and aroma of chewing gum. Not all smokers who opted for Nicoretta could get rid of nicotine addiction.
The main active ingredient is the medical analogue of nicotine. When it is ingested, it helps relieve cravings for smoking and alleviate various manifestations of withdrawal symptoms.
On the official website of the drug, you can pass a little testing, as a result of which a person will receive recommendations on the most suitable form of the drug against nicotine addiction.
Nikvitin
This popular drug is used by many people. The popularity of the product is due to its affordable price and high efficiency.
The drug is available in the form of tablets and plasters. The latter have a rectangular shape. The outer side is pinkish-bronze with a marking, the lower side is silver, covered with a transparent removable protective film. The most popular form is just a patch.
"Nikvitin" is intended to relieve the symptoms of withdrawal symptoms that occur during the period of refusal of cigarettes. The main active substance is nicotine.
After attachment to the surface of the skin, a fairly rapid absorption of nicotine occurs. The concentration of the active substance reaches the required level within three to four hours after the first use. The indicator remains unchanged during the day, until the product is removed.
The cost of the drug varies from five hundred to six hundred rubles. You can buy the drug in almost any pharmacy without a doctor’s prescription. However, it is recommended that, before starting the course, consult a specialist in a medical institution.
Nikvitin is in third place on the list of the best drugs to quit smoking. Customer reviews confirm this. The average rating on a five-point scale is 4.3. The main advantages of people consider the high effectiveness of the drug. Many emphasize a convenient form of application as the main advantage. Some consumers consider the cost of the product a virtue, while others consider it a disadvantage. In addition, people note that during active movements the patch may come off.
The drug has contraindications, non-compliance with which is fraught with the occurrence of side effects.
Champix
The main active ingredient of the drug is varenicline. The substance interacts with the same receptors as nicotine, and also inhibits the release of active substances.
The drug is available in the form of tablets. You need to take the drug, taking into account all the instructions. Tablets should be washed down with plain water. The recommended dose is 1 mg twice daily. Before you start using the drug, you need to determine the approximate date for stopping smoking. You need to start getting rid of nicotine addiction one to two weeks before the expected day.
The tool has contraindications that must be observed. Otherwise, side effects may occur. It is not recommended to take the drug "Champix" to persons under the age of majority. Contraindication is associated with a lack of information about the possibility of using the product for people of this age category.
It is popular among people due to its high efficiency. The average drug score on a five-point scale is 4.6. Consumers note that the intensity of the manifestation of symptoms decreases after several doses of the drug. A noticeable effect is confirmed by people suffering from nicotine addiction for decades.
The only significant drawback is the high cost, as evidenced by multiple reviews on the Internet. You can buy the drug in almost any pharmacy on average for 1200-1600 rubles. Therefore, the tool ranks fourth in the leaderboard.
Zyban
The drug is available in the form of tablets. The producing country is Austria. The role of the main active substance is bupropion. Zyban refers to antidepressants. The drug is available in the form of tablets and has a rich history. As an anti-nicotine addiction, it has been produced since 1997.
This tool is not in demand among Russian consumers for several reasons. The cost of the drug is quite high. For one package you need to pay an average of 3500-4300 rubles. In addition, Zyban is not registered in Russia, which means that it is not legally possible to purchase the drug.
The disadvantages of the drug include the risk of addiction due to prolonged use. The tool has contraindications. In some cases, side effects may occur. The average drug score on a five-point scale is only 3.3. All these disadvantages force the drug to take the last place in the line of well-known and quite effective drugs.
Folk recipes
Some people, not wanting to resort to the help of special means, are wondering how to quit smoking without any drugs. One of the most common ways is to get rid of addiction in three minutes.
It is necessary to light one cigarette out of two available. Then you need to take a puff. But not in the usual way, into the lungs. Cigarette smoke must be trapped in the mouth. Then it is necessary to close the mouth, preventing smoke from entering. Then you need to close your eyes and nostrils with your hand and throw your head back. One must imagine that the smoke is actually meat and chew it. Repeat the manipulation for ten to fifteen seconds.
In conclusion, you need to open your mouth, inhale all the smoke in your lungs, and then exhale sharply. This is a popular method, thanks to which many people get rid of addiction.
Various medicinal teas and decoctions based on plants are also in demand. However, the effectiveness of folk remedies that relieve nicotine addiction is very doubtful. There are few positive reviews about the use of such methods.
Conclusion
Nicotine addiction is akin to drug addiction and alcoholism. Attachment occurs in a similar pattern as a result of exposure to nicotine on brain cells. As a result of the interaction, dopamine is released, a person has a feeling of satisfaction. Thus, in order to receive the next dose of pleasure, there is a need for a new portion of nicotine.
After people realize that they are addicted to tobacco, many people think about which drugs help quit smoking. The reviews available on the Web acquaint those who are interested in this issue with the opinions of former smokers. On the shelves of pharmacies you can find many drugs that will help get rid of addiction.
Quitting smoking with drugs is much easier. You need to know which tool to give preference to. Unfortunately, not all drugs are effective. In addition, most of them have side effects and require strict adherence to instructions. One pill helps in two to three applications. The effect of others occurs only after a week of regular use.
It is important not only to know about which drugs to quit smoking without much difficulty, but also about the presence of side effects. Despite the fact that the funds are available to anyone without a doctor’s prescription, it is strongly recommended that you consult a qualified specialist before taking pills and using nicotine addiction sprays.
The best drug to quit smoking today is considered Tabex. The effectiveness of the drug has been proven by more than one generation of heavy smokers. Customer reviews confirm the rapid action of the drug and encourage its use.