Zyban

What is Zyban?

Zyban is a medication that was originally developed to treat depression, but it was soon found to be an effective stop smoking treatment.

Stopping smoking can be hard, and you need willpower to make it work. But Zyban has been proven more effective than just quitting cold turkey.

It's a pill you take everyday, and then a couple of times a day. In just nine weeks, it helps you beat nicotine addiction to become stronger and healthier.

How Zyban works

It’s not fully understood how Zyban works, but it’s likely that it works on the part of the brain that is affected by addictive behaviour. By reducing the cravings associated with smoking, this can help make the process easier.

Using Zyban to quit smoking might not be suitable for everyone, but it can be of great benefit for many smokers who are struggling to quit.

How safe is Zyban?

Most people who use Zyban don’t experience significant side effects, but it’s important that you know what the risks are before starting treatment. You can find more info on these in the leaflet that comes with the medicine. But if you’re unsure or concerned about anything, just let us know, and we’ll answer any questions you have.

The most common severe symptom is fits, which occur in less than one in 1,000 of users. If you do experience a fit, stop taking Zyban and seek immediate medical help.

How should I take Zyban?

Swallow the tablets whole, without halving or crushing them. Not swallowing them whole will mean the active ingredient will be released in one go, increasing the risk of side effects and making the treatment less effective. Zyban should not be taken shortly before you go to bed as it may cause insomnia, but it can be taken with or without food.

Taking Zyban and smoking

Instructions for Zyban will be included with the medication and you should follow them carefully to get the best out of the treatment. As Zyban is taken before you stop smoking, some forward planning is needed. The instructions are a bit different depending on whether you’re under or over 65. If you’re under 65: Take one tablet once a day for the first six days of treatment. Then on the seventh day, take one tablet, twice a day, eight hours apart (and not at a time close to bedtime). During the second week, carry on taking one tablet twice a day and stop smoking. If you're over 65: Take one tablet a day for the duration of the course, and set your quit date in the second week of treatment. Taking the medication will help reduce the cravings. After the second week, carry on with the same dosage of one tablet twice a day, eight hours apart for a total of nine weeks. If you haven’t managed to stop smoking during this time, let us know. It may be that a different treatment could work better, or that you need a little extra support to help you quit.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget to take a dose, simply carry on with the next scheduled tablet. Do not take double the dose to make up for the missed dose as this will only increase the risk of side effects.