Prescribed medication
Prescribed medications can help you stop smoking by blocking the nicotine receptors in your brain. This effect makes smoking less enjoyable. It’s an avenue to explore if you’re having trouble quitting using other strategies.
How can prescribed medication help me quit smoking?
Prescription medications can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making it easier to quit smoking. These medications are only available with a prescription from your doctor. Some quit-smoking medications are available at a lower cost through the Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). In some cases, Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products can also be prescribed and accessed through the PBS.
How to get prescribed medication
These types of medication are only available with a prescription from a doctor.
You can get these prescribed quit-smoking medications at a reduced cost through the Government’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can also be prescribed by a doctor, which may make it cheaper.
Prescribed medication is an evidence-based way to make it easier to stop smoking, especially when combined with professional support.
Types of prescribed medication
Varenicline is a popular choice that can be effective if you smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day and want to quit.Varenicline is a non-nicotine medication that was developed specifically for smoking cessation. It works by blocking the rewarding and pleasurable effects of nicotine when people smoke. It also reduces cravings and other withdrawal symptoms.
A standard course lasts 12 weeks. Clinical trials have shown that it doubles your chances of stopping smoking when combined with professional support such as Quitline.
Varenicline is more effective than using one type of NRT and has a similar success rate to using combination NRT, such as a patch plus oral NRT. You should not use NRT products while taking varenicline.
Varenicline is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding people, or for adolescents.
Bupropion is a non-nicotine medication that can help you stop smoking. It was originally developed as an antidepressant, and works similarly to varenicline by blocking the effects of nicotine. It reduces the urge to smoke, and also reduces symptoms from nicotine withdrawal.
A standard course of bupropion starts while you're smoking. As it can take a week or so to build up to an effective dose, choose a quit date between the first and second week of quitting. You can use NRT products while taking bupropion.
Bupropion significantly increases long-term quit rates by about 60% compared to not using a quitting medication. Its use can increase 6- to 12-month continuous abstinence rates by 7%.
Clinical trials have shown that bupropion is less effective than varenicline.
Bupropion is not recommended for people who are pregnant and breastfeeding, or for people with a history of seizures and eating disorders. Your doctor can advise you about your suitability for using bupropion and other quit smoking medications
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