AboutMichael Dean Expertise Can answer
General information on tobacco addiction, and resources for quitting.
Information on current cancer research and the health effects of tobacco.
The risk of smoking for lung cancer and other cancers, as well as SIDS, heart disease, and vision loss.
The best place to start is 1-800-QUIT-NOW
Cannot answer
Specific medical questions
Experience Cancer Researcher for over 20 years
Author of the book "Empty Cribs-The impact of smoking on child health" www.artsciencepub.com.
Author of over 200 scientific articles on cancer, genetics and human disease.
Multiple interviews in print, TV and radio media.
Organizations American Association for Cancer Research
American Association of Human Genetics
Publications Scientific journals (Science, Nature, NE Journal Medicine, etc.)
Scientific American, Discovery Medicine, Nature Reviews in Cancer
Education/Credentials PhD. in Biochemistry from Boston University School of Medicine
Awards and Honors Young Investigator award-American Association of Cancer Research
Expert: Michael Dean Date: 10/19/2007 Subject: Chantix and quitting smoking
Question Dear Mr. Dean,
I have tried quitting smoking a few times with Chantix.
Like most of us, I have taken different medications for different reasons over the years and consider myself to be no more sensitive to pills than the next person, and I rarely if ever suffer side effects from anything.
However, Chantix proved to be in a league of its own. I have never experienced such horrendous side effects before; severe around the clock nausea, vomiting, "motion sickness", migraine-like headaches and nightmares, all rolled into the effect of one little pill.
The side affects have been so intolerable that I have given up after three, four weeks each time I started the regimen, which, unfortunately, each time brought me right back to smoking again.
Well, I just started Chantix again for the fourth attempt, and I'm hell-bent on sticking to the program this time.
My questions to you:
1. My doctor says I can keep taking them even after the initial 12 weeks, to make sure I don't fall back into smoking again. This statement worries me. Chantix is still a somewhat new drug, but has there been any research on the permanent side effects of long-term Chantix usage? Say, after 6 months, a year?
2. After you quit smoking, when does the actual physical craving cease? How long does it take for your BODY to kick the nicotine addiction? In other words, when has my addiction gone from "real" to purely psychological, "all in my head" ?
I have read different time lines for this, some say 7 days, others say no more than 24 hours, but I was curious about your opinion.
I would be most grateful for any response you can give me!
Answer Dear Charlotte,
I admire your determination. A few people do have pretty severe nausea with Chantix.
There is one study were Chantix was give for 24 weeks. See the data here:
https://www.pfizerpro.com/brands/chantix.jsp
I wouldn't recommend going out beyond this. You might have your doctor prescribe Zyban in addition. The two together give a better quit rate.
I think it is actually hard to say how long physical withdrawal lasts, and it is different in different people. Most symptoms are gone in 2-3 days and some last 2-3 weeks.
But it is clear that the psychological part is the hardest for most people.
I'd suggest you read "The EasyWay to Quit Smoking" by Allen Carr. He explains how smoking has no positive benefit in your life and the many advantages of quitting. The book has been a best seller in Europe for many years, and you might find it useful. You should also call 1-800-QUIT-Now and find out about resources in your state. Some states provide free therapy and telephone quitlines, and these are useful.
Pfizer provides an online counseling program along with Zyban. Have you tried this?
Can you stay out of situations where you might smoke, at least for a month or two after you are off Chantix?
You can also try taking up yoga, a new exercise program, a spiritual program. If you get to treasure your new health,
you may find that the last thing you want to do is smoke again.
If after Chantix you still are going nuts you could try nicotine gum or lozenges. This is not a great idea, because you'll be back nicotine addicted, but it is better than smoking.
Let me know how this goes,
Good luck,
Michael Dean, Ph.D.
Author "Empty Cribs-The Impact of Smoking on Child Health"
http//www.artsciencepub.com
