Smoking adversely affects the human body and he alth. Even one cigarette can cause addiction, which is very difficult to get rid of. That is why the question arises of whether there are means to combat nicotine addiction and what drugs help quit smoking.
Currently, there are many products designed to save people from the harmful desire to smoke another cigarette. With the help of effective drugs, quitting smoking is much easier.
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 of these are very harmful to humans. Both the first and second kind 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 pathological processesatherosclerosis;
- violate vascular tone, damaging their walls;
- have a negative effect on the blood coagulation system;
- detrimental to the human nervous system;
- toxic to the point where smoking can cause a stroke;
- cause lung disease, including cancer;
- become one of the main causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema, which lead to respiratory failure;
- nicotine entering the gastrointestinal tract causes erosion, ulcers and cancer of the stomach, pancreas and gallbladder;
- negatively affect the state of the reproductive system of men, reduce potency.
In addition, smoking can damage the blood vessels that feed the lower extremities of a person. 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 impact on a person's appearance. The skin and nails become yellowish. In many cases, multiple dental caries occurs. In addition, over time, the condition of the tooth enamel worsens. She turns yellow. The skin becomes dry, wrinkles appear prematurely. Hair becomes dull and brittle. The fingers have an unpleasant smell of tobacco. Constant exposure to nicotine on human lungs contributes to an increased risk of oncological pathologies.
Symptoms of nicotine addiction
Nicotine addiction has certain symptoms. These include:
- irresistible desire to smoke another cigarette;
- low blood pressure;
- weakness;
- drowsy;
- severe headaches;
- mood swings;
- irritability, desire to show aggression;
- deterioration of memory and attention;
- Coughing for no apparent reason;
- sleep disorder.
The listed signs appear during the period of abstinence from smoking. The intake of nicotine in the blood from time to time leads to dependence. Along with alcoholism, substance abuse, drug use, a harmful substance enters the human brain and begins to interact with receptors located in the cortex. As a result, the neurotransmitter dopamine is released, which stimulates the nervous system. Thus, dependence arises. A person needs to smoke a cigarette to get another dose of pleasure.
It is worth noting that smoking is not 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 drugs will help quit smoking
Many people decide to quit smoking when they realize they are addicted to nicotine. Unfortunately, giving up cigarettes is not as easy as starting one.use. Some people quit smoking out of their own willpower.
Currently, there are many tools that are designed to help in the fight against addiction. People use drugs to quit smoking, from three categories:
- nicotine replacements;
- 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 distributed as follows:
- "Tabex".
- "Nicorette".
- "Nikitin".
- "Champix".
- "Zyban".
Tabex
Means - the undoubted leader in the fight against bad habits. Use the drug to quit smoking.
Reviews about the tool are mostly positive. The average score on a five-point scale is 4.5.
The product is a round pills of light brown color. The main component of Tabex is the alkaloid cytisine. Nicotine and the specified substance have a similar effect. However, cytisine is less toxic. The alkaloid inhibits the interaction of nicotine and the corresponding brain cells. Due to this, 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, the tablets must be taken every two hours. However, the daily dose ismust exceed six doses. With each subsequent day, the number of receptions decreases by one unit.
Before you start using Tabex, it is recommended to consult with a specialist in a medical institution, since the drug has many contraindications.
Many people who have given preference to this remedy say that a noticeable effect appears after four days of regular pill intake. The craving for smoking gradually decreases. After three weeks, some become disgusted at the sight of a cigarette.
Nicorette
The tool takes second place in the ranking. It is known not only for good reviews, but also for bright commercials. This is one of the best drugs to help you quit smoking. Reviews confirm this.
"Nicorette" comes in the form of a spray. The color of the contents may vary from colorless to yellow. 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 score on a five-point scale is 4.6.
People consider the pleasant taste and aroma of chewing gum to be a huge advantage. Not all smokers who preferred Nicorette were able to get rid of nicotine addiction.
The main active ingredient is a medical analogue of nicotine. When ingested, it helps relieve cravings for smoking and alleviate various withdrawal symptoms.
On the official website of the drug, you can take a small test, inas a result of which the person will receive recommendations on the most appropriate form of drug against nicotine addiction.
Nikitin
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 patches. The latter are rectangular in shape. Pinkish-bronze exterior with markings, silver underside, covered with a clear, removable protective film. The most popular form is the patch.
"Nikvitin" is designed to relieve withdrawal symptoms that occur during the period of quitting cigarettes. The main active substance is nicotine.
After attaching to the surface of the skin, there is a fairly rapid absorption of nicotine. The concentration of the active substance reaches the required level within three to four hours after the first use. The indicator remains unchanged for a 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 still recommended to consult with a specialist in a medical institution before starting the course.
"Nikvitin" is in third place in the list of the best drugs to quit smoking. Consumer reviews confirm this. Average rating of the product on a five-point scaleis 4, 3. People consider the drug's high efficiency to be the main advantages. Many single out a convenient form of application as the main advantage. Some consumers consider the cost of funds an advantage, while others consider it a disadvantage. In addition, people note that during active movements, the patch may come off.
The drug has contraindications, non-observance of which is fraught with 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. It is necessary to take the remedy taking into account all instructions. Tablets should be taken with plain water. The recommended dose is 1 mg twice daily. Before starting the use of the drug, it is necessary to determine the approximate date of stopping smoking. You need to start getting rid of nicotine addiction one to two weeks before the expected day.
The product 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. The contraindication is due to the lack of information about the possibility of using the product for people of this age category.
Popular among people due to its high efficiency. The average score of the drug on a five-point scalethe scale is 4, 6. Consumers note that the intensity of symptoms decreases after several doses of the drug. A noticeable effect is confirmed by people suffering from nicotine addiction for more than a dozen years.
The only significant disadvantage is the high cost, as evidenced by multiple reviews on the Internet. You can buy the drug in almost any pharmacy for an average of 1200-1600 rubles. Therefore, the tool is ranked fourth on the leaderboard.
Zyban
The drug is available in the form of tablets. The country of origin is Austria. Bupropion is the main active ingredient. Zyban is an antidepressant. The drug is available in the form of tablets and has a rich history. It has been produced as a remedy for nicotine addiction since 1997.
This tool is not in demand among Russian consumers for a number of 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 possible to legally purchase the drug.
The disadvantages of the drug include the risk of addiction due to long-term use. The tool has contraindications. In some cases, side effects may occur. The average rating of the drug 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 fairly 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 methods is the three-minute addiction method.
You need to smoke one cigarette out of two available. Then you need to tighten. But not in the usual way, into the lungs. Cigarette smoke must be kept in the mouth. Then you need to close your mouth, preventing the smoke from getting out. Then you need to close your eyes and nostrils with your hand and tilt your head back. Imagine that the smoke is actually meat and chew on it. You need to repeat the manipulation within ten to fifteen seconds.
In conclusion, you need to open your mouth, inhale all the available smoke into your lungs, and then exhale sharply. This is a popular method that has helped many people to kick their addiction.
Various medicinal teas and decoctions based on plants are also in demand. However, the effectiveness of folk remedies that get rid of 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 the effects of nicotine on brain cells. As a result of the interaction, dopamine is released, a person has a feeling of satisfaction. Thus, in order to get another dose of pleasure, there is a need for a new portion of nicotine.
After people realize that they are addicted to tobacco, many people thinkabout which drugs help to quit smoking. Reviews available on the Web acquaint those 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 prefer. Unfortunately, not all drugs are effective. In addition, most of them have side effects and require strict adherence to the instructions. One tablet helps after two or three applications. Others take effect only after a week of regular use.
It is important not only to know which drugs make it easy to quit smoking, but also about the side effects. Although available to anyone without a prescription, it is strongly recommended that you consult with a qualified he althcare professional before using anti-nicotine tablets and sprays.
Tabex is considered the best drug to quit smoking today. The effectiveness of the product has been proven by more than one generation of heavy smokers. Consumer reviews confirm the rapid action of the drug and encourage its use.