A new, and potentially effective drug, to help cigarette smokers quit smoking has been fast tracked for approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Chantix, varenicline tartrate, works in ways that previous smoking cessation drugs did not, and might lead to a higher success rate where the other drugs have failed. Chantix acts at the areas of the brain affected by nicotine and helps those who smoke cigarettes to quit smoking in two ways: by providing some nicotine effects to ease the withdrawal symptoms and by blocking the effects of nicotine from cigarettes if they start smoking again.
"Cigarette smoking is a very difficult habit to break due in large part to nicotine dependence or addiction," said Dr. Steven Galson, Director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "Chantix therapy has proven to be effective in smokers motivated to quit and will provide another tool for physicians to use for the millions of smokers who want to quit."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 44.5 million adults in the United States smoke cigarettes and more than 8.6 million of them have at least one serious illness caused by smoking. Chantix should be available later this year. I think the operative word here is motivated to quit smoking. Addiction is a complex physical, mental, emotional and spiritual problem. A magic pill to make the addiction go away would be nice. I am not so sure I believe in that kind of magic -- although I am relatively certain it will help some smokers quit smoking.
UPDATE: Chantix: quit smoking drug now available in US pharmacies.
1. The Chantix drug is too early to comment on. It does have the potential to be highly effective though due to its targeting to the area of the brain most effected by nicotine. Take away the addiction and you're half way there.
I strongly believe that the most important steps you must take when deciding to Stop Smoking:-
http://www.adviceonsmoking.co.uk/stop-smoking.html
are, first to get into the right mindset. This is, in my opinion, the number one step. The psychological approach to quitting:-
http://www.adviceonsmoking.co.uk/the-psychology-of-quitting-smoking.html
is one of the most successful drug-free approaches that should be taken. Once the mind is ready you're ready.
A failure normally occurs when the dreaded drug nicotine knocks on your door and cravings become hard to resist. If Chantix can address this hurdle, together with the mindset, Chantix may just be what smokers are longing for.
I wish you all the success on your journey to becoming a non smoker.
Phill Mason
http://www.adviceonsmoking.co.uk/
Posted at 7:37PM on May 17th 2006 by Phill Mason