Quitting smoking is hard, but smoking cessation medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can double your chances of breaking free for good. If you are attempting to quit smoking, these medications can do the following:

• Minimize withdrawal symptoms

• Reduce cravings

• Decrease the rewarding aspects of nicotine (should you slip and have a cigarette)

No medication yet developed makes quitting smoking easy, but the right medication can make breaking your nicotine addiction easier. That is especially true when the medication is paired with other quitting techniques, like support group involvement or individual counseling.

The two medications approved to help people quit smoking are:

• Varenicline (Chantix)

• Bupropion (Zyban)

Finding out if one of these medications is right for you may double your odds of quitting successfully.

Varenicline (Chantix)

Chantix works by blocking nicotine receptors in the brain. With nicotine receptors blocked, two things happen that make it easier to quit smoking:

1. Chantix slightly activates these nicotine receptors, causing a gradual release of dopamine, which reduces the severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

2. Smoking after taking the medication results in you not feeling the pleasure you previously did.

Chantix makes smoking pointless while also reducing your need to smoke.

Does Chantix Work?

In a controlled study of the medication, 44 percent of people taking Chantix stopped smoking after nine weeks, compared to 18 percent of people taking a placebo medication.

How Is it Used?

You will take one or two Chantix pills daily for 12 weeks, after which your doctor may recommend another 12 weeks of medication.

Is Chantix Safe?

Chantix can cause side effects, such as nausea, insomnia or constipation. Side effects tend to diminish over time and most people find the medication tolerable. In rare cases, Chantix can cause severe skin reactions, which can be quite dangerous.

Chantix may not be right for anyone with past or present mental illness. The FDA warns patients and their families to watch out for any change in behavior or mood, such as:

• Increased anxiety

• Increased tension or nervousness

• Feelings of depression

• Suicidal thoughts or ideations

• Odd behaviors

Where Can I Get Chantix?

Chantix is a prescription medication available through your doctor. You should never take this medication without consulting a doctor, as some people (such as pregnant women and those with kidney disease) may be at risk of severe side effects or other complications.

Bupropion (Zyban)

Zyban is an antidepressant that has been found to work well with helping people quit smoking. The medication works by increasing the quantity of the neurochemicals dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine that stay active in the brain.

Although doctors aren’t exactly sure how Zyban works, the medication seems to reduce the desire to smoke while reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

Does Zyban Work?

Clinical trials have shown that Zyban works significantly better than placebo in helping people quit. When Zyban is used along with nicotine replacement therapy, the odds of successfully breaking your addiction increase further.

How Is it Taken?

Zyban is taken at low dose for three days and then upped to a maintenance dose after that. The medication is taken for about two weeks prior to smoking cessation.

Is Zyban Safe?

Some side effects associated with Zyban include:

• Insomnia

• Dry mouth

• A loss of appetite and associated weight loss

• Headache

• Constipation

• Tremors

More serious side effects can include seizures, breathing difficulties and hallucinations. Not everyone can take Zyban, and it is vital that you discuss your eligibility for the medication with a doctor prior to starting bupropion therapy. Zyban is only available through prescription.

As with other antidepressant medications, in very rare cases, Zyban may cause an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or acts. You should discuss your risk for mood changes with your doctor, who will likely want to know about any past instances of psychiatric illness.

Double Your Chances

Well-tolerated medications can make quitting smoking just a little bit easier and can greatly increase your chance of breaking your addiction. Talk to your doctor about your eligibility for Chantix or Zyban and, for the best chance of long-term success, combine smoking cessation medication with continuing counseling or involvement in a support group.