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Chantix - Helps Quit Smoking
02 Nov. 2006
Every kick of cigarette and of nicotine gives you a rousing enjoyment
but remember it makes you a slave. This is the main reason behind anybody's
addiction to smoking. The case
is same just like any drug addict, one continues to increase the number
of cigarettes but gets the same level of pleasure. According to Dr. Cheryl
Oncken, a Chantix clinical investigator and Associate Professor of Medicine
at the University of Connecticut Health Center. "It is never too
late to quit smoking. People who quit smoking before the age of 50 have
one- half the risk of dying of a smoking-related illness in the next 15
years compared to those who continue smoking. Patients who are unable
to quit on their own should consider seeking medical support and treatment".
The will power of the person has to be very strong if he decides to say
good-bye to smoking. But then also, it is not a matter of joke for anyone
to leave cigarette at once and especially if he has been a chain smoker
for long time. But this was the case till few months back. In fact, till
the drug called Chantix wasn't launched in the market. Chantix (varenicline)
is a trademark drug of Pfizer Inc. It got the approval of the FDA on may
11, 2006 as a treatment for anti smoking in adults. Chantix is the answer
of Pfizer Inc to addiction of smoking. According to Pfizer, Chantix, the
first new prescription medication approved for smoking cessation in nearly
a decade, received priority review designation by the U.S. Food And Drug
Administration (FDA) because of its prospective to be a major therapeutic
advance over existing therapies.
When smokers breathe in smoke from a cigarette, nicotine reaches the
brain within seconds and binds to nicotinic receptors, which activates
the reward pathway in brain circuitry. This stimulates the pleasure center
in the brain. The initial effects recede quickly and a cycle of craving
and withdrawal takes hold. Why Chantix is fantastic and simply unique
in this condition is because it does not let you go off the habit in one
go, as that could lead to serious withdrawal symptoms in the body. Chantix
is unique for the reason that is slowly helps to bring the cravings down,
ultimately leading you to a smoke-free life. This drug is specifically
designed to partially activate the nicotinic receptor and reduce the severity
of the smoker's craving and the withdrawal symptoms from nicotine. Moreover,
if a person smokes a cigarette while receiving treatment, Chantix has
the potential to diminish the sense of satisfaction associated with smoking.
This may help to prevent the cycle of nicotine addiction.
Chantix has varenicline (as the tartrate salt) as its main component,
which is a white to off white and slightly yellow solid powder soluble
in water. Chantix is a tablet meant for oral administration which is supplied
in 0.5 mg and 1 mg capsular biconvex. The 0.5 mg tablet has CHX 0.5 written
on one side and Pfizer on the other and is white to off white in color,
while the 1 mg tablet has CHX 1.0 on one side and Pfizer on the other
and has a light blue color. Varenicline, the main ingredient of Chantix,
behaves differently from the other stop smoking medicaments. Varenicline
surprisingly operates in a way that is way similar to the working of nicotine.
When a person smokes, nicotine goes straight to the brain and binds with
the nicotine receptor cells, thereby activating the pleasure cells. It
is an agonist and it acts just like nicotine, as varenicline gets attached
with high intensity to the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
when Chantix is consumed. Chantix stands out from the other therapies
and medications to quit smoking as Chantix take out the zing in smoking.
Smokers won't find smoking pleasurable after using Chantix, as Chantix
blanks out these sensations. This plays a great role in the easing of
the withdrawal symptoms when you use Chantix as an anti-smoking pill.
One may need to know the following dosage information before taking Chantix.
A} Chantix is supplied in doses of 0.5 mg (white) and 1 mg (blue) tablets.
B} One may start with an initial Chantix dose of 0.5 mg once a day. C}
One may increase the Chantix dose to 0.5 mg twice daily after 3 days.
D} Its dosage is increased to 1 mg twice daily after 7 days. E} Chantix
is generally taken with a glass of water after food. F} Do not skip doses
and double dose for missed Chantix dose.
Though Chantix is considered to be a quit smoking drug with a great level
of efficacy in the medical circles. But still, at times, certain contraindications
and side effect may occur when one uses Chantix. Some of the commonly
occurring side effects are nausea; sleep disorder, gas, constipation,
sleeplessness, headache, and loss of taste. Side effects of Chantix with
no adverse health implications that are not mentioned above may occur
infrequently or rarely. But talk to your physician if they occur repeatedly
and become bothersome.
One should be aware of the fact that cigarette is the main cause of lung
cancer in America followed by air pollution. Keeping this in mind, if
you are a cigarette smoker just buy Chantix
to save yourself from lung cancer.
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