QUIT SMOKING MEDICATION v RLS

[TEAH35]

I was/am a smoker. Back in the day I used to say ‘if a pill comes out that stops me from smoking I will be first in line for a script’. It did and I was. This medication was called Zyban and was 100% successful. But unbeknown to me, (as I was yet to be diagnosed with restless legs), this medication sent my restless legs absolutely unbearably insane. Due to my impending divorce, I unfortunately gave into my cravings and took up smoking again.

I so badly want to again give this disgusting habit away, but I am hesitant to put my faith in medication to assist with a positive outcome. According to my internet search I have 4 choices.

1) NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPY NRT. (Patches, gum, lozenges, spray) No scriptb required

2) ZYBAN, (not on your sweet bippy).

3) CHANTIX and/or VARENICLINE (requiring script)

4) CYTISINE (requiring script)

It would appear my choices are between NRT, Chantix and Cytisine

Has anybody tried any of the above successfully, (obviously excluding the horrendous Zyban)?

According to the net my chances for success are significantly increased if I were to combine NRT with one of the meds. Obviously I will discuss this with my doctor. May I thank you in advance for your advice.

[SueJohnson]

CHANTIX has a very rare chance of making RLS worse - less than 1%.

[TEAH35 in reply to SueJohnson]

Thank you, will give it a try

[ChrisColumbus]

I don't have an answer to your question as such, but it's unfortunate that you had a bad reaction to Zyban as the active ingredient bupropion (which is also the active ingredient in antidepressant Wellbutrin) is generally regarded as being 'safe' for RLS.

On the subject of smoking cessation therapies, according to the RACGP "bupropion is less effective than either varenicline or combination nicotine replacement therapy" for smoking cessation. Varenicline is the active ingredient in Chantix/Champix.

The RACGP has also said that "There is moderately certain evidence supporting the efficacy of cytisine for smoking cessation and while it can cause some mild gastrointestinal symptoms, it has a very low risk of serious adverse effects". I presume that cytisine must have been given the go ahead in Australia since that statement last year.

I guess I might try Chantix - ask your doctor about using it alongside NRT - but your doctor should be aware of the warnings, adverse reactions and interactions given here:

labeling.pfizer.com/ShowLab...

[TEAH35 in reply to ChrisColumbus]

Thanks for that. Bupropion I think was the damaging ingredient

[ChrisColumbus in reply to TEAH35]

From what you say it seems so, although it would have been unusual, but we're all different: nothing is apparently 100% safe for everyone. And there can always be interactions that we're unaware of.

[Joolsg]

Interesting. ZYban is wellbutrin or Bupropion. It is often given as a safe anti-depressant for RLS.Just shows that we all react differently to meds.

[SueJohnson]

CYTISINE is OK

[DicCarlson]

I smoked for a long time, a long time ago. I used to say - quitting is easy, I did it 4 times this week! I tried hypnosis - very interesting experience BTW. Anyway, I said - I can counteract this hypnosis - and continued smoking. I guess the real impetus was taking my dad to the hospital - he using an inhaler (he had emphysema) and me flicking my cigarette ashes out the window. I used nicotine patches for a week to keep some nicotine flowing - It worked. I had a boss once that took Chantix and combined with an anti-depressant she was on - totally screwed her up - she couldn't tell if she was awake or asleep! She was gone from work for 3 days!

Good luck - smoke free is such a benefit to your life.