You can get medicine on prescription to help you stop smoking. It can double 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. For example, irritability or low mood.
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 these medicines in combination with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
The Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS) can help with the costs of prescription medicines.
Varenicline
Varenicline is a safe and effective licensed medicine. It is used under medical supervision to help people stop smoking. Varenicline reduces cravings for nicotine and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
You take varenicline for 12 weeks. It does not contain nicotine and it is not addictive.
You continue to smoke for the first 7 to 14 days of treatment. As the medicine builds up in your system, you enjoy cigarettes less. You may smoke less often.
After you quit smoking, the medicine stimulates your brain to release 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.
Side effects of varenicline
Side effects of varenicline are not common. But some people may experience them.
Side effects may include:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- constipation
- diarrhoea
- headaches
- unusual or vivid dreams
- difficulty sleeping
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are common when you 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 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 smoke for the first 2 weeks of treatment. You take Zyban for 9 weeks after you stop smoking.
Your GP or stop smoking advisor will explain how to take the medicine. They can help you plan how to 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 some people may experience them.
Side effects may include:
- difficulty sleeping
- changes to your mood
- headaches
- nausea (feeling sick)
- constipation or diarrhoea
Twitching and fits (seizures) are rare side effects. This is why you need medical supervision if you take Zyban.
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal are common when you 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 the 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.