What Can Help Me To Quit?	How Well Does It Work?	How Much Does It Cost To Quit?1	Does Insurance Cover It?	Where Can I Get It?
Medications (Common Brand Name)
Bupropion SR Pills (Wellbutrin® or Zyban®)2		Free to $$$3		Your doctor; 1-800-QUIT-NOW3
Nicotine Gum (Nicorette®)2		Free to $$$3		Over-the-counter; 1-800-QUIT-NOW3
Nicotine Inhaler (Nicotrol® Inhaler)		$$$		Your doctor
Nicotine Lozenge (Commit®)2		Free to $$$3		Over-the-counter; 1-800-QUIT-NOW3
Nicotine Nasal Spray (Nicotrol®)		$$ to $$$		Your doctor
Nicotine Patch (Nicoderm CQ®)2		Free to $$3		Over-the-counter; 1-800-QUIT-NOW3
Varenicline Pills (Chantix®)		$$ to $$$		Your doctor
Combined Nicotine Replacement Therapies		$ to $$$		Over-the-counter; 1-800-QUIT-NOW3; Your doctor

CHART LEGEND
1 Cost may be free or significantly reduced if your insurance, health plan, quitline or clinic provides coverage. 2 Generic versions, store brands and other brands are available. 3 Many quitlines provide free or low-cost medication to eligible adults. Check with your quitline.	= Best = Better = Good = Okay = No evidence that this treatment is effective	$ = under $150 $$ = $151 - $299 $$$ = $300 and above	= Yes, often covered. Check with your insurance company or health plan.

BUPROPION SR PILLS

What it is:

Bupropion SR is a prescription drug used to treat nicotine addiction. It is also called Wellbutrin or Zyban. It has no nicotine in it. This drug can help reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke.

Bupropion SR can be used safely with nicotine products (see “Combination Methods”). Make sure to use bupropion SR exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Common side effects:

Some common side effects of bupropion SR are:

• dry mouth
• trouble sleeping
• headache
• dizziness
• a serious change in mood (not feeling like yourself or feeling “blue”)
• skin rash

Bupropion SR may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any problems such as serious changes in mood while taking this drug. Stay in touch with your doctor until all symptoms go away.

Important information:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. This medicine may not be right for you if you:

• have seizures
• have an eating disorder (anorexia nervosa or bulimia)
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• are taking a MAOI medication for bi-polar disorder

You should also avoid drinking alcohol while taking bupropion. Alcohol increases the risk of having a seizure. If you drink alcohol on a regular basis, tell your doctor. Your doctor will help you decide if bupropion is right for you. Tell your doctor or pharmacist what other kinds of medicine you take.

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NICOTINE GUM

What it is:

Nicotine gum is a chewing gum that has nicotine in it. The nicotine in the gum takes the place of nicotine from cigarettes. It can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. You can get nicotine gum over the counter at the drug store. You do not need a prescription. However, your doctor can write you a prescription if your health insurance covers smoking cessation.

Nicotine gum comes in two strengths: 2-mg gum and 4-mg gum. If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes each day, you can start by using the 4-mg gum.

Nicotine gum is not chewed like regular gum. To use nicotine gum, chew each piece several times and then leave it between your check and gum tissue. After 5 minutes, chew it again several times and leave it between your cheek and gum tissue again. The nicotine will get into the bloodstream through the lining of your mouth. After 30 minutes, spit out the gum. To keep a steady amount of nicotine in your body, you can use a new piece of gum every 1 or 2 hours.

Wait a half-hour after using the gum before you eat or drink anything acidic. Food and drinks with acid can stop the gum from working. Soda, coffee, tomatoes and tomato sauce, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and fruit juices are some examples of acidic foods and drinks.

Common side effects:

Some common side effects of nicotine gum are:

• mouth sores
• sore jaw muscles
• dizziness
• headache
• stomach ache

Most side effects, such as stomach aches, are caused by not chewing the nicotine gum correctly. If you chew it like regular gum, it will not work well and may give you an upset stomach.

Important information:

If you have any of the following medical conditions, ask your doctor, dentist, or pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. This medicine may not be right for you if you:

• have dentures or other dental work, such as bridges
• have heart problems, chest pain, or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• have TMJ (temporomandibular joint)
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

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NICOTINE INHALER

What it is:

The nicotine inhaler is a small plastic cartridge tube that lets you breathe in nicotine vapor. The nicotine in the vapor takes the place of nicotine from cigarettes. It can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Your body absorbs the nicotine through the mouth and throat. You need a prescription to buy the nicotine inhaler.

Common side effects:

Some common side effects of the nicotine inhaler are:

• burning of the throat and mouth
• coughing

Nicotine inhalers may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any problems while using this medication.

Important information:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. This medicine may not be right for you if you:

• have a breathing problem, like asthma
• have heart problems, chest pain, or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• have diabetes
• have kidney problems
• have asthma
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

Tell your doctor or pharmacist what other kinds of medicine you take.

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NICOTINE LOZENGE

What it is:

Nicotine lozenge is similar to a sore throat lozenge. It is a hard candy that contains nicotine. The lozenge takes the place of nicotine from cigarettes. The nicotine lozenge can help with withdrawal symptoms and control cravings to smoke. You can get nicotine lozenges over the counter. You do not need a prescription.

To use the lozenge, put it between the cheek and gum, and let it dissolve. Move it from one side of the mouth to the other from time to time. Do not suck on it, chew it, or swallow it. The body absorbs the nicotine through the lining of the mouth. The lozenge works best if you take it every 1 or 2 hours. Do not drink coffee, juice, and other acidic beverages or the nicotine lozenge will not work very well.

Nicotine lozenges come in two strengths: 2-mg and 4-mg.

• If you smoke your first cigarette less than 30 minutes from waking up in the morning, you should use 4-mg nicotine lozenges.
• If you smoke your first cigarette after 30 minutes from waking up in the morning, you should use 2 mg-nicotine lozenges.

Common side effects:

Some common side effects of nicotine lozenge are:

• heartburn
• sore throat
• stomach ache

Nicotine lozenges may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any problems while using this medication.

Important information:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. Also tell your doctor or pharmacist what other kinds of medicine you take. This medicine may not be right for you if you:

• have heart problems, chest pain, or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

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Nicotine NASAL Spray

What it is:

Nicotine nasal spray is a spray that comes in a pump bottle. The spray contains nicotine and can help lessen withdrawal symptoms and control cravings. The nasal spray takes the place of nicotine from cigarettes. You need a prescription to buy the nicotine nasal spray.

Common side effects:

Some common side effects of nicotine nasal spray are:

• burning sensation in the nose (especially when you first start using it)
• sneezing
• coughing
• watery eyes

These problems usually go away after you use the spray for some time. The nicotine nasal spray may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any problems while using this medication.

Important information:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. This medicine may not be right for you if you:

• have nasal or sinus conditions
• have allergies
• have asthma
• have heart problems or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• have diabetes
• have kidney problems
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

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Nicontine Patch

What it is:

The nicotine patch is a small patch you attach to your skin each day (like a Band Aid). It gives you a steady amount of nicotine all day long to help lessen withdrawal symptoms and control cravings. The patch takes the place of nicotine from cigarettes. You can get nicotine patches over the counter.  No prescription is needed.

The nicotine patch works best if you can use it for 8 weeks. The nicotine patch comes in different strengths.

• If you smoke 11 or more cigarettes per day, you should start with the 21 mg patch.
• If you smoke between 5 and 10 cigarettes per day, you should start with the 14 mg patch.
• If you smoke less than 5 cigarettes per day, you can start with the 7 mg patch or use the nicotine gum or nicotine lozenge instead.

The doses of nicotine in the patches gradually go down during the 8-week period. You should use one patch each day.

Common side effects:

Some common side effects of the nicotine patch are:

• redness or swelling of the skin where you place the patch
• dizziness
• headache
• nausea

Some people have vivid dreams when using the patch. Removing the patch 1 or 2 hours before you go to sleep may help with this side effect.

The nicotine patch may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any problems while using this medication.

Important information:

This medicine may not be right for you if you:

• have skin problems
• are allergic to adhesive tape
• have heart problems, chest pain, or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

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VARENICLINE PILLS

What it is:

Varenicline is a prescription medicine that helps smokers quit. It is also called Chantix. This drug helps lessen withdrawal symptoms and blocks the effects of nicotine if you try to start smoking again. Varenicline does not contain nicotine.

Common side effects:

Some common side effects of varenicline are:

• nausea
• gas and constipation
• vomiting

Some people have had mood swings, depression, and suicidal thoughts with varenicline pills. These side effects are very rare. If you experience serious changes in your mood, you should stop this medication and tell your doctor right away. Your doctor will monitor this carefully.

Important information:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if this medicine is right for you. This medicine may not be right for you if you:

• are under the age of 18
• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding

Tell your doctor or pharmacist what other kinds of medicine you take. Make sure to use varenicline pills exactly as your doctor prescribes.

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Combined nicotine Replacement Therapies

What it is:

Nicotine replacement therapy is used to help control withdrawal symptoms and cravings if you are trying to quit smoking. Instead of getting nicotine from smoking, you can replace cigarettes with the nicotine patch, nicotine gum, lozenge, inhaler, or spray.

If you have tried to quit using one type of medicine but it did not work, many smokers have quit successfully by using some of the methods together. This can work best if you combine:

1. the nicotine patch, which keeps steady levels of nicotine in the body, and
2. the nicotine gum, lozenge, inhaler, or spray which controls cravings and reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

One example of a combination that works especially well is:

• Nicotine patch (for more than 14 weeks) + other nicotine replacement therapy (gum, lozenge, inhaler, or spray)

Some combined medications may increase the chance of side effects, so it is important to speak to your doctor about the side effects before you start combining methods.

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