Alternates to Nicotine

                Fahad B. Iqbal

June 10, 2013

BBH 143

Blogpost #5

                Nicotine is a parasympathomimetic alkaloid that is found in a family of plants (Solanaceae) (Deardorff, 2008). When used in small doses nicotine can act as a stimulant in mammals, while high amount of nicotine can be potentially fatal (Deardorff, 2008). Tobacco is the leading cause of death in the United States (Deardorff, 2008). This article attempted to discover and prove effective methods in order to aid people to be able to quit smoking. This article found four methods to replace common nicotine products (i.e. chewing tobacco, cigarettes and cigars).

                Some of those methods include nicotine gum (nicotine is delivered rapidly through the mucous membrane of the mouth and can be purchased at common pharmacies), transdermal patch (provides consistent doses of nicotine though the skin and can be lowered constantly in order to remove the physical dependence for nicotine), nasal spray (this spray delivers nicotine though the nose and straight into the bloodstream, this alternate form of nicotine is only available through prescription) and nicotine inhalers (this inhaler is like a cigarette, that contains a cartridge inside and the inhaler delivers the nicotine to the mouth through a system of vapors) (Deardorff, 2008). These alternate forms of nicotine are becoming more and more well-known because they reduce the need for cigarettes, which contain many harmful chemicals and can also cause tar build-up in the lungs.

                The article also addresses two possible prescription medications that can be prescribed to a person, in order to quit smoking. The two drugs are called Zyban and Chantix. Zyban is anti-depressant drug that can be used on conjunction with other nicotine replacement therapies. Zyban has shown to be twice as effective as a placebo drug and the success rate is about 30% at three months and half of that after one year (Deardorff, 2008). 30% of people using Zyban quit smoking after using this drug (Deardorff, 2008). Chantix was developed basically to aid people to quit smoking. This drug interferes with the nicotine receptors in the brain and makes the smoking effect less pleasurable, which is meant to help a person withdrawal from nicotine. Chantix has shown to be much more effective then Zyban and 44% of people using this drug will quit smoking (Deardorff, 2008).

                These are major progresses in the medical field in order to aid smokers to quit and stay away from forms of nicotine. The methods used in this article are very effective and doctors have recommended this methods for those who want to quit using nicotine based products.

Deardorff, William. April 2, 2008. “Anti-Smoking Medications: Zyban and Chantix.” Retrieved June 10,        

          2013 (http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/stop-smoking/anti-smoking-medications-zyban-and- 

          chantix).