You can get medicine on prescription to help you stop smoking. It can triple your chances of quitting successfully. Your GP or a stop smoking advisor can help you decide the best treatment for you.
Prescription treatments can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These symptoms include restlessness, irritability, low mood and weight gain.
Make an appointment with your GP before you plan to give up smoking. You need to start taking the medicine around 2 weeks before your quit date.
Quit smoking with our help
Types of medicine to quit smoking
The following medicines are generally safe and side effects are not common. Zyban and varenicline do not contain nicotine and they are not addictive.
You can use a prescription medicine in combination with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). It is safe and recommended in Ireland's National Clinical Guideline on Stop Smoking Care.
The Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) can help with the costs of prescription medicines. There is no means test for a DPS card.
Varenicline
Varenicline is a safe and effective licensed medicine. It is used under medical supervision to help people stop smoking. Varenicline acts on your brain to reduce cravings for nicotine and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
You take varenicline for 12 weeks. It does not contain nicotine and it is not addictive.
How it works:
- You continue to smoke for the first 12 to 14 days of treatment.
- As the medicine builds up in your system, you do not get the same enjoyment from cigarettes and you’ll want to smoke less often.
- When you quit smoking, the medicine takes over the role of nicotine by stimulating your brain to release the chemical dopamine.
- This makes you feel good and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
At your appointment, your GP will ask you about your medical history and other medicines you take. They will tell you if varenicline is suitable for you.
Varenicline is sold as Champix. Champix is not available at the moment.
Side effects of varenicline
Side effects of varenicline are not common. But like any medicine, some people may experience them.
Side effects may include:
- nausea
- gastrointestinal upset such as constipation or diarrhoea
- headaches
- abnormal dreams
- difficulty sleeping
It is common for people to experience symptoms of nicotine withdrawal when they stop smoking. Sometimes these can be confused with side effects of medicines.
Talk to your GP if you are worried about any side effects.
Zyban (bupropion HCL SR)
Zyban is a safe and effective licensed medicine. It is used under medical supervision to help people stop smoking.
Zyban acts on your brain to help treat nicotine addiction. It does not contain nicotine and it is not addictive.
You continue to smoke for the first 2 weeks of treatment. You take Zyban for 9 more weeks after you stop smoking.
Your GP or stop smoking advisor will discuss how to take this medicine. They will help you plan how you should stop smoking with help from Zyban.
Your GP will ask you about your medical history and other medicines you take. They will tell you if Zyban is suitable for you.
Side effects of Zyban
Side effects of Zyban are not common. But like any medicine, some people may experience them.
Side effects may include:
- difficulty sleeping
- changes to your mood
- headaches
- nausea
- gastrointestinal upset such as constipation or diarrhoea
Twitching and fits (seizures) are rare side effects. This is why Zyban must be used under medical supervision.
It is common for people to experience symptoms of nicotine withdrawal when they stop smoking. Sometimes these can be confused with side effects of medicines.
Talk to your GP if you are worried about any side effects.
See your patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for a full list of side effects.
Non-urgent advice: Find your patient information leaflet
Your patient information leaflet is the leaflet that comes with your medicine. You can find a digital version of the leaflet online.