Stop Smoking Drugs: Are They Worth The Risk?

More people than ever are trying to quit smoking these days thanks to the fact that most of us are facing the reality that our nicotine habit is leading us to an early grave. The only problem is, since breaking the addition is so hard we are often quick to turn to stop smoking drugs to help reduce the effort required to succeed.

While there is no doubt these quit smoking drugs such as Chantix and Zyban have increased the chances stopping for good taking them comes with it's own risks. Is it worth putting your immediate health on the line to decrease the risk you will die from lung cancer or cardiovascular disease in the future? Let's take a look at the reality of using these products in our efforts to wean our body's off nicotine.

Unless you have been living in a cave for the last decade you will already know that pharmaceutical products such as Chantix can have a range of side effects from gas and bloating to inducing suicidal thoughts. A recent article on the BBC web site states that it's use has also been implicated in an increased likely hood of patients getting heart disease over the short term, one of the major problems you will be trying to avert by getting off tobacco. Indeed, the Canadian Medical Association Journal know recommends smokers stop using Chantix as a smoking cessation aid due to the findings of a recent study.

Of course Pfizer, the manufacturers of the drug still contend that it's a useful tool for people looking to quit but then we would expect them to say that wouldn't we. The reality is that people taking Chantix were 25% more likely to suffer from heart problems compared to those on a placebo. The more worrying thing is that researchers believe the chances of problems could be much greater in those with pre-existing heart trouble. From that information it looks like it might be a good idea to find another way to quit smoking.

On top of these findings there is the even scarier proof that quit smoking drugs can lead users committing suicide. In the UK nearly 300 smokers have had suicidal-related reactions. 10 people have committed suicide unexplainedly and a further 16 people have attempted.

It is true that these numbers pale into insignificance when compared to the millions who have used Chantix successfully. If you are thinking about using it yourself then I would advise you to do so only after you have examined ever other avenue open to you, such as using nicotine replacement therapy, hypnosis, or a smokeless cigarette. If you have no other option then it is probably still worth taking a stop smoking drug, but you will want to do so under the close supervision of a health professional and with the full support and understanding of your close family.