Tablets to help quit smoking

DH got a prescription from our GP for some tablets to quit smoking. Can't remember what they are called, the pharmasist had to order them in. There are two types but because he takes Zoloft he can only have this certain one which also act as an anti-depresant so he will need to stop taking Zoloft. Our GP told me to watch out for signs of depression as these tablets can bring on suicidal thoughts. Has anyone had any experience with these tablets, I would love to hear how you went and if they actually helped. TIA.

Regards,
Dianne

Are they champix?

Hmmm I was on Zoloft and Champix (the quit smoking drug) at the same time. Its not entirely the same as an anti depressent. There are people who are on Anti psychotics as well as Champix or similar. So I would probably be having another word to the doctor if your concerned about your DH not having his zoloft. As for experiences well I can only go by the Champix I was on ... but i've heard others are the same. Um.. weird dreams.. like MAJORLY weird spaz'd up dreams that make you sweat. Loss of appetite. Really thirsty. But none of these were hardcore for me and you really do notice that after like 4th or 5th day your already not smoking as much as you would cause it just tastes foul. But yeah when I spoke to my doctor about it, he said they were safe to take with anti depressants, cause they really aren't the same like what everyone thinks they are.

If it is Champix just watch for signs of severe anxiety too. I had to stop taking those because I kept getting panic attacks and got really irrational in the way I perceived minor dramas. It felt like everything was a ginormous problem when it was just an easy to fix issue. I've never had a history of anxiety either or diagnosed depression.

GL to your DH

Zyban are the ones, just googled it. He was told he couldn't take Champix because of the Zoloft, so that's interesting Kirsty.

Regards,
Dianne

yeah Dianne its weird.. my doctor was saying some doctors are just anal about it.. but he's the one who told me about having patients on anti psychotics and being on champix at the same time

I tried Zyban years ago when trying to quit and experienced awful side-effects including elevated anxiety, dramatic mood-swings and vivid nightmares. It didn't make me suicidal, but I did feel so awful on them that I elected to stop taking them and quit using other means. I have a history of depression and anxiety and think that I have a predisposition toward mood problems which meant that I was extremely vulnerable to getting these side effects.

DH recently used Champix and was warned about these same side effects. The worst he experienced though was some pretty yucky nausea an hour or so after taking the tablets. That said, he is a very emotionally stable person and so far less vulnerable to the effects on mental health. Worked like a dream and after struggling with his addiction for years he has now been ciggie-free for 6 months!

I would guess that given your DH requires Zoloft, that he is also an emotionally sensitive/vulnerable person. I personally would be very wary of him coming off Zoloft and onto an drug that is known to trigger depression in rapid succession. He may get a 'down' caused by coming off an antidepressant that currently works, which I wonder might be exacerbated by the potentially destabilising effects of the Champix or Zyban. Of course, I'm not a doctor and don't suppose to know better than your GP, but this would be my concern from personal experience.

If he does it, I'd be asking for very regular appointments with the GP to monitor him, and getting him to closely monitor himself.

All the best to your DH. Quitting is HARD but it is also very possible and so completely worthwhile.

ETA: just read all the above added while I was typing! Might be worth getting a second opinion on whether he can remain on the Zoloft whilst taking either drug.

I agree with the second opinion thing. Zyban can cause nasty reactions and couple it with stopping Zoloft there might be issues. Maybe also do some self research into these drugs coupled with zoloft VS stopping Zoloft and commencing these drugs

the stop smoking tablets have dope-a-mean(sp??) in them which is also in some anti depressants, its actually how they worked out the link, some depressed patients would stop smoking whilst on certain anti depressants, thats probably why ur doctor was a bit cautious.
fingers crossed all he gets is a bit of neusea and whacked out dreams...and of course looses the urge to smoke!

I can't help with the ADs question, sorry!
My mum quit smoking on Champix, worked so well for her!
My FIL was on those Zyban ones, and my MIL was so scared for him as he changed, his attitude and his mood changed completely. She threw them away and bought him some smokes...

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Are they champix?

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DH was on them, he didn't stop smoking and it completely screwed his sleeping patterns. He'll say he wasn't moody but he was, very much so!

to be completely honest I think anything can work but you have to be at a point where you want to give up for yourself not because of your health or money or anything like that. My DH just doesn't want to give up smoking at the moment, he enjoys it.

He's tried everything other than hypno and nothing has worked yet.

Congrats on your DH for quitting :)

I have not picked up a smoke for 3 months! have had cravings but nothing to the point I want to smoke.

i know 2 different sides of champix -

1. A lady I worked with was on Champix, she said it did nothing for her, and to this day she still smokes.

2. A Lady DP works with had psychotic episodes & nightmares on them, suicidal thoughts, bought a noose etc, suffers anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts a year on ...

None of them were on anti depressants.

I would be googling and reading alot of info about the 2 drugs together, keeping a very close eye on your DH's moods etc and any changes make note of them, if bad enough, consult your GP ..

Good Luck to your DP .... :) I hope they help him!

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the stop smoking tablets have dope-a-mean(sp??) in them which is also in some anti depressants, its actually how they worked out the link, some depressed patients would stop smoking whilst on certain anti depressants, thats probably why ur doctor was a bit cautious.
fingers crossed all he gets is a bit of neusea and whacked out dreams...and of course looses the urge to smoke!

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Dopamine :-) Dopamine gives a feeling of pressure, Champix acts by activating these receptors and blocking nicotine. Some AD's work along the same lines (some are serotonin inhibitors) Zyban also acts on Dopamine. But they are not a AD's

So i would be very weary of him going off his ADs to start Zyban.

Champix works better I have found from talking to seeing people take both

I took Zyban twice years ago, no mood swings or anything although I did break out in hives both times. DH took Zyban & suffered mood swings, he also took Champix more recently & stopped as he found he suffered insomnia & nightmares on them. I have a history of depression & anxiety, DH not so much. I think it's just a case of how the individual reacts.
Both have reported side effects, I would be careful on either of them. Having said that, the Champix seem to work quite well, DH did quit & then was unfortunate enough to start again months later.

Good luck to your DH, it's tough but can be done :)

Yeah Zoloft is a seretonin inhibitor.