Medications to Treat Addictions

A variety of medications are used to treat alcohol use disorder that work in different ways.

• Reduce the desire for alcohol and lessen its pleasurable effects
• Curb cravings
• Reduce anxiety and stabilize mood

Do they work?

People who haven’t been able to stop drinking using other approaches may be helped by adding medication treatment. This includes helping people who are actively drinking or those who have recently stopped but are having cravings, anxiety or relapses.

It’s important to remember that an individual may respond better to one type of medication than another.

Three oral medications (naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram) and one injectable medication (extended-release injectable naltrexone) are approved for treating alcohol dependence. Topiramate, an oral medication used to treat epilepsy and migraine, has also been shown to be effective, although it is not yet approved by the FDA for this use.

BACLOFEN (Lioresal or Gablofen®)

What it does: This muscle relaxant has also been used to decrease anxiety and reduce alcohol cravings.

How it works: Increases GABA in the brain, a natural chemical that has a relaxing effect.

Side effects: Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, confusion, depression

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

* There are concerns about the safety of baclofen for alcohol use disorder, especially at high doses, with higher risks of hospitalization and mortality than other approved drugs. Chaignot 2018

Availability – Physician prescription

More information on Baclofen

CAMPRAL (Acamprosate)

What it does:  Reduces alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms after you have quit. It is not effective if you are drinking when you start taking the drug or are using other substances.

How it works:  Lessens the unpleasant feelings of withdrawal by working on chemical imbalances in the brain caused by alcohol use.

Side effects:  Diarrhea, gas, headaches, insomnia, upset stomach, loss of appetite, dry mouth, dizziness.

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

Availability:  Physician prescription

More information on Acamprosate

CHANTIX (Varenicline)

What it does:  Helps people quit smoking, but recently found to help heavy drinkers reduce the number of alcoholic drinks they consume.

How it works:  Blocks the pleasant effects of alcohol on the brain.

Side effects:  Nausea, vomiting, gas, heartburn, vomiting, headache.

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

Availability:  Physician prescription

*Please note:  The FDA has reported that a connection between Chantix and serious psychiatric problems including depression, agitation and suicidal behavior is "increasingly likely." A report from The Institute for Safe Medication Practices also linked Chantix to a variety of health and safety problems. These include accidents and falls, heart rhythm disturbances, heart attacks, seizures, diabetes and various psychiatric disturbances.

DISULFIRAM (Antabuse)

What it does:  Antabuse has been used since 1951. Studies show it reduces the craving for alcohol and the risk of relapse.

How it works:  Causes unpleasant effects if you drink even small amounts of alcohol while taking it, such as flushing, headache, nausea and vomiting, and anxiety. These effects begin about 10 minutes after you drink alcohol and last for 1-2 hours.  It is slowly excreted from the body over 2 weeks.

Side effects:  Skin rash, headache, drowsiness, weakness, upset stomach, tiredness.

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

Availability:  Physician prescription

More information on Disulfiram

GABAPENTIN (Neurontin)

What it does:  Gabapentin is an FDA-approved medication for controlling seizures and relieving nerve pain.  It has also been found to curb cravings for alcohol.  In 2018 The American Psychiatric Association recommended its use in people with moderate to severe alcohol use disorder, but usually after trying naltrexone and acamprosate first.

How it Works:  It reduces alcohol cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as insomnia, sadness and anxiety. It may help increase the number of alcohol-free days.

Side Effects:  drowsiness, dizziness, headache, anxiety, constipation

For a complete list of side effects click here.

Availability:  Physician prescription

NALTREXONE

What it does: Reduces the pleasurable effects of alcohol and the number of cravings, drinks per day and relapse rates. It may help you drink less or stop drinking completely.

How it works: It blocks the parts of your brain that feel pleasure from alcohol so you feel less need to drink and may be able to stop more easily.

Side effects: Nausea, headache, constipation, dizziness, anxiety and insomnia.

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

Of note:  Naltrexone should not be used if you have acute hepatitis or liver failure, and should be “carefully considered” in patients with acute liver disease.

Availability: Physician prescription

More information on Naltrexone

ONDANSETRON (Zofran)

What it does:  Ondansetron is used to treat nausea and vomiting caused by certain cancer therapies. But it has also been found to stop cravings, decrease alcohol use and increase abstinence if you developed an alcohol use disorder before the age of 25 (called early-onset alcohol dependence).

How it works:  It acts on two natural brain chemicals, serotonin and dopamine, to reduce alcohol craving and use.

Side effects:  Diarrhea, headache, constipation, weakness, dizziness, tiredness.

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

Availability:  Physician prescription

More information on Ondansetron

TOPIRIMATE (Topomax)

What it does: Helps people stop drinking and feel more stable and less anxious - which lessens alcohol cravings and the risk of relapse.

How it works: Reduces levels of the natural brain chemical dopamine which makes drinking less pleasurable. Importantly, it appears to be effective if you are drinking at the time of starting the medication.

Side effects: Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, difficulty concentrating, confusion, nervousness, headache, drowsiness and mood swings.

Special Alert: The FDA notified healthcare providers and patients of an increased risk of cleft lip and/or cleft palate in infants exposed to a higher dose of topiramate during the first trimester of pregnancy.

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

Availability: Physician prescription

More information on Topiramate

Currently there are no medications approved by the FDA to specifically treat cocaine addiction. But researchers continue to study natural brain chemicals to help restore the imbalance caused by long-term cocaine use. 

Several medications developed to treat other disorders are used to reduce cocaine use. These include:

• Disulfiram, used to treat alcohol dependency
• Baclofen, a muscle relaxant
• NAC, an amino acid that curb cravings
• Modafinil, improves sleep after you are drug-free

What They Do

• Curb cravings
• Reduce withdrawal symptoms such as trouble sleeping and daytime sleepiness
• Ease anxiety
• Help prevent relapse

Do They Work?

There are a limited number of recent studies on medications for cocaine use disorder. The most effective ones so far work on the natural brain chemical dopamine (such as Modafinil) or GABA (such as Topiramate). Combination drugs are especially promising.

Scientific reviews do show that modafinil, bupropion, topiramate or disulfiram used with counseling and group support such as 12-step programs are better than either approach on its own.

NOTE: Even when taking medications it is vital to receive support from a peer group program like Cocaine Anonymous and treatments such as counseling or therapy. These help you see what role your thoughts, feelings and attitudes play in addiction – so you feel stronger and more able to handle your life.

BACLOFEN (Gablofen®; Lioresal®)

What it does:  This muscle relaxant curbs cocaine cravings, especially in long term and heavy users, and lessens withdrawal symptoms.

How it works:  Increases the amount of GABA in the brain, a natural chemical that has a calming and relaxing effect.

Side effects:  Drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, nausea, headache, constipation.

** Using baclofen for more than a couple of months may cause dependence. Withdrawal can cause agitation, insomnia, and confusion. Do not stop using it suddenly – gradually lower the dose with the help of your doctor.

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

Availability:  Physician prescription

More information on Baclofen

DISULFIRAM (ANTABUSE)

What it does:  Makes drinking alcohol or using cocaine very unpleasant. It is used to reduce cocaine use and relapse, especially when caused by stress.

How it works:  Blunts cocaine cravings or changes the “high”. It may need to be used longer or at a higher dose to reduce the effects of cocaine that keep people using.

Side effects:  Nausea, vomiting (sometimes very severe, if any alcohol or cocaine is used), difficulty breathing, confusion and fainting. May also cause anxiety, paranoia and restlessness.

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

Availability:  Physician prescription

Gabapentin, Topiramate and Vigabatrin

What it does:  Eases anxiety and agitation during recovery.

How it works:  Reduces cravings and help you feel more relaxed by increasing the natural brain chemical GABA.

Side effects:  tiredness, dizziness, headache, nervousness, joint or muscle pain, memory problems.

For a complete list of side effects click here. Under Browse by generic or brand name click on the first letter of the drug you’re looking up, such as G to find Gabapentin, T to find Topiramate and V to find Vigabatrin.

Availability:  Physician prescription

MODAFINIL (PROVIGIL)

What it does:  Improves sleep during cocaine withdrawal and reduces cravings.

How it works:  Increases the natural brain chemicals dopamine and glutamate which is used up by cocaine use. This may work at the core of the craving for cocaine.

Side effects:  Anxiety, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, dry mouth, headache. DO NOT USE Modafinil if you have certain types of heart disease such as mitral valve prolapse.

For a more complete list of side effects click here.

Availability:  Physician prescription

N-ACETYLCYSTEINE (NAC)

What it does:  This amino acid curbs cocaine cravings and may repair damage in the brain caused by cocaine use.

How it works:  Restores the natural brain chemical glutamate to normal levels. Glutamate helps make GABA which calms anxiety, stress and fear.

Side effects:  diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, skin rash

Availability:  Over the counter

For specific suggestions of other amino acids that can lessen cravings see our Nutrition page in the Holistic section

More information on N-Acetylcysteine

Medications used under the care of a medical professional are an important part of the treatment for opioid use disorder. The newest form of medication treatment is called Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT).

MAT combines specific medications (methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone) with counseling and short-term therapies focused on changing patterns of thinking and taking positive action. These medications are safe to use short or long-term.

The main goal of MAT is to help people stay in recovery and prevent opioid overdose. It is used to block the “high” from opioids, reduce cravings and help the brain and body heal.

Medications can be used to lessen withdrawal symptoms, prevent relapse, and treat both addiction and related mental health issues.

Click Here to find certified practitioners and opioid treatment programs by state for Medication Assisted Treatment

What They Do

• Ease withdrawal:  One reason people keep taking opioids is to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal. Medications help ease withdrawal symptoms during detox. But detox is only the first step. If you do not receive treatment and support after detox you are more likely to start using opioids again.

• Prevent relapse:  Medications can be used to decrease cravings and help your brain and body return to normal after stopping drug use. Each drug, such as heroin and prescription opioid drugs, is treated by a specific medication. If you use more than one drug you need treatment for each of the drugs you use.

• Help with other mental health problems:  Medications can help treat depression or anxiety, which can contribute to opioid addiction.

To learn more about available treatments visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse website.

Do They Work?

Strong evidence shows that methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone all reduce opioid use and help people stay in treatment.

Buprenorphine and methadone do not produce a "high" and lessen withdrawal symptoms and cravings. People can live normally while taking them. They can work, go to school, and take part in other forms of treatment and support to help their recovery.

If the goal is to wean off the maintenance medication, it should be done slowly while working with a treatment provider. It may take months or even years for brain circuits to recover from long-term drug use. These medications provide the support that is needed during this time. In cases of serious and long-term opioid use, a person may need these supports indefinitely.

BUPRENORPHINE

Buprenorphine was approved by the FDA in 2002 as a new treatment for opioid addiction. It is the first approved narcotic drug for addiction that can be prescribed by doctors in their offices. Since 2002 it has been available as a tablet and since 2010 as a film put under the tongue. In 2016 the FDA approved a 6-month buprenorphine implant and in 2017 a once-a-month buprenorphine injection. Both are available to patients stabilized on buprenorphine, so daily doses are not needed.

Different Forms:

• Bunavail (buprenorphine and naloxone):  a small rectangular film you place inside your cheek, where it dissolves. It contains the drugs buprenorphine and naloxone.
• Buprenex:  a form of buprenorphine that is injected.
• Butrans:  a medicated adhesive patch that is placed on the skin containing buprenorphine. Use these patches exactly as directed by your doctor.
• Subutex:  buprenorphine in tablet form that is dissolved under the tongue.
• Zubsolv (buprenorphine and naloxone):  tablets that you dissolve under your tongue.
• Sublocade:  a once-a-month injection of buprenorphine. Patients must be started on Zubsolv or Subutex before taking Sublocade.

What it does:  Buprenorphine has major advantages over methadone or naltrexone. It is more effective at reducing drug cravings than naltrexone. While methadone is usually prescribed daily, buprenorphine is only needed every other day and there is a lower risk of overdose compared to methadone. Subutex is used in the first few days a person starts treatment.

How it works:  Opioids attach to receptors in the brain, but they are not a perfect fit. Buprenorphine stimulates these opiate receptors but not strongly enough to produce the “high” that opioids would. Because of this it helps to ease withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. If a user tries to take another opioid such as heroin while taking buprenorphine, there will be no effect.

Side effects:  Headaches, flu-like symptoms, dizziness, constipation, upset stomach, sleep problems.

Note:  It can cause dependence and withdrawal symptoms when stopped.

For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.

Availability:  A prescription from a doctor who has taken the required 8-hour certifying training is needed. As of 2021 the Department of Health broadened the ability to prescribe as long as eligible physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and clinical nurse specialists treat only 30 patients at a time, in the state they practice, and do not prescribe methadone.

Other Helpful Resources:

• What is Buprenorphine Treatment Like? A fact sheet that answers many questions about taking buprenorphine, written by a nurse researcher at Yale University.

• The Facts about Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Addiction Describes how buprenorphine works, its proper use, side effects, and how it fits with counseling in the recovery process.

• SAMHSA’s Buprenorphine Practitioner Locator
  Click here for a nationwide list of doctors who are qualified to prescribe Buprenorphine. You can choose Physician List Search at the bottom of the page to search by city, county, zip code or state or just click on the state you want on the map.

METHADONE

What it does:  Methadone is a long acting medicine that reduces cravings and blocks the effect of opioids. It prevents withdrawal symptoms in people who are now in a treatment program.

How it works:  It turns on opioid receptors in the brain – but it does it more slowly than other opioids so it doesn’t produce a high. This lets you slowly detox without withdrawal symptoms or cravings. Because its effects last between 24 and 36 hours, most people can take just one daily dose.

Side effects:  Drowsiness, weakness, nausea, constipation, headache, loss of appetite.

For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.

Availability:  Physician prescription. Methadone is not available through a local pharmacy. Patients must visit a special outpatient treatment provider or clinic. Click here for a list of methadone clinics by state.

NALTREXONE (ReVia®, Vivitrol®, Depade®)

What it does:  Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors in the brain from being turned on. Instead of controlling withdrawal and cravings, it prevents any opioid drug from producing a high.

How it works:  It blocks the part of your brain that feels pleasure when taking opioids. Because of this you do not feel the rush, high or pain relief that opioids bring. It also decreases the desire to take opioids.

Naltrexone can be taken by mouth once a day or every other day, has few side effects and is not addicting. It is part of a complete treatment program including counseling or psychotherapy, lifestyle changes and social support.

Side effects:  nausea and vomiting, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, sadness, nervousness, sleepiness, diarrhea or constipation

Some people have had trouble staying on Naltrexone because of its side effects. But in 2010 an injectable, long-acting form of naltrexone (called Vivitrol®) was approved by the FDA for treating opioid addiction. The effects of Vivitrol® last for weeks, making it a good choice for people who cannot easily access healthcare or who have a hard time taking their medications regularly.

For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.

Availability:  Physician prescription

New Medication Approaches

Recent approaches to heroin and opioid addiction include new medications, combinations of medications, and new ways to take them.

Comparing Naltrexone and Suboxone

The National Institute on Drug Abuse compared two medications to prevent relapse. Suboxone (a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone) was given daily as a film put under the tongue. Naltrexone (Vivitrol) was given as a monthly injection. To take Vivitrol you must have first fully detoxed, but some people have a hard time doing that. This makes Suboxone easier to use.

The study showed that if you can’t use Vivitrol because you couldn’t complete detox you can now start treatment with Suboxone instead - and get the same good results. Suboxone is also much less expensive than Vivitrol, which costs $1,000 per injection.

Implantable Buprenorphine (Probuphine)
In May 2016 the FDA approved the use of Probuphine, a form of buprenorphine that is implanted in the arm. It provides a constant, low-level dose of buprenorphine for six months in patients who are already stable on low-to-moderate doses of the pill or film placed under the tongue. Because the medication is implanted under the skin, you don’t have to remember to take it or visit a clinic every day. In a study of Probuphine, 63% of patients showed no opioid use during the six months of treatment.

Monthly Sublocade Injection
Sublocade is a once-a-month injection of buprenorphine approved by the FDA in 2017. Buprenorphine reduces opioid withdrawal symptoms and the desire to use opioids. In order to have a Sublocade injection you must have been on a stable dose of buprenorphine for at least seven days.

Sublocade was studied in 850 adults with opioid addiction. Patients taking the Sublocade injection had more drug-free weeks compared to those who took a fake pill that has no actual effect (called a placebo). The most common side effects were constipation, nausea, vomiting, headache, drowsiness and injection-site pain.

Reversing an Opioid Overdose
Naloxone quickly restores normal breathing when a person is overdosing on heroin or prescription opioids. Many states allow you to get naloxone from a pharmacist without bringing in a prescription from a doctor. This was done to help family, friends, and other potential bystanders of overdose save lives.

It is available as a prefilled auto-injection device (EVZIO) or as a prepackaged nasal spray (NARCAN Nasal Spray). Visit NIDA’s Naloxone Resources webpage to learn more.

Although there are no specific medications to treat meth addiction, other medications can help to:  

• Decrease craving
• Ease withdrawal symptoms
• Decrease meth drug seeking and use
• Improve sleep, energy and focus
• Stabilize mood

To learn more about the treatment approaches to drug addiction visit the National Institute on Drug Abuse website.

Do They Work?

Modafinil, bupropion and naltrexone show positive results. 

• Modafinil helps treat mood changes from meth withdrawal and ease withdrawal symptoms. It may also decrease cravings and the need to seek out the drug.
• Bupropion may help men with low to moderate meth dependence stay drug-free longer.
• Naltrexone may reduce meth use and increase abstinence.
• Methylphenidate and d-amphetamine show promise as substitution therapies (like methadone replacing heroin or nicotine gum for smoking). They lessen withdrawal symptoms and help people stay in treatment in longer.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

What it does:  This antidepressant treats depression and nicotine dependence. It may also help treat low level dependence on meth.

How it works:  Bupropion increases the natural brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. Dopamine improves mood and norepinephrine improves mental clarity and focus.

Side effects:  Dry mouth, headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness. In early treatment, you may experience agitation, restlessness, and insomnia. It is better not to take it at bedtime which may help improve sleep.

For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.

Availability:  Physician prescription

For more information on Bupropion click here.

d‐amphetamine and methylphenidate

What it does:  These central nervous system stimulants increases alertness, attention, energy, and physical activity. They are usually used to treat extreme sleepiness from a sleep disorder called narcolepsy or symptoms of ADHD (attention deficit disorder).

How it works:  Dopamine is a natural brain chemical associated with pleasure, movement, and attention. Meth increases dopamine rapidly and intensely, producing euphoria and addiction. These stimulant medications increase dopamine slowly and steadily, similar to the way dopamine is naturally produced in the brain. Because of this they may be able to act as a potential substitute treatment for meth addiction.

Side effects:  headache, dry mouth, constipation, weight loss, dizziness, nervousness, nausea

For a more complete list of side effects visit these NIH pages: methylphenidate and d-amphetamine.

Availability:  Physician prescription

For more information on d-amphetamine click here

For more information on methylphenidate click here

GAMMA-VINYL-GABA (GVG) or VIGABATRIN (Sabril®)

What it does:  These anticonvulsant drugs are used to control seizures. They may also reduce cravings for meth and other drugs.

How it works:  Increases the amount of the natural chemical GABA in the brain, which lowers dopamine production. An appropriate dose of vigabatrin taken before exposure to nicotine, cocaine, meth or inhalants can block their effects on the brain.

Side effects:  Sleepiness, dizziness, weakness, muscle pain, weight gain and shaking.

For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.

Availability:  Physician prescription

For more information on Vigabatrin click here.

Mirtazapine (Remeron)

What it does:  An antidepressant found to decrease meth use. It helps calm cravings and reduces drug-seeking.

How it works:  Helps release several natural brain chemicals including norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine that are involved in mood.

Side effects:  drowsiness, dizziness, anxiousness, confusion, increased weight and appetite

For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.

Availability:  Physician prescription

For more information on Mirtazapine click here.

Modafinil (Provigil®)

What it does:  Modafinil promotes wakefulness. It may help ease withdrawal from meth and improve sleep, concentration and energy levels.

How it works:  Changes the amounts of certain natural chemicals in the brain that control sleep and wakefulness. It may act as a stimulant which can decrease craving and meth seeking and improve mood. Its effects are long-lasting and continue for as long as four months after treatment.

Side effects:  Headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, constipation and heartburn

For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.

Availability:  Physician prescription

For more information on Modafinil click here.

Naltrexone

What it does:  Blocks opioid receptors in the brain from being turned on. Instead of controlling withdrawal and cravings, it prevents a drug from producing a high.

How it works:  Blocks the part of your brain that feels pleasure when taking meth so you don’t feel the rush or high.  It significantly reduces cravings by reducing meth’s rewarding effects and making it less pleasurable.

Side effects:  Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, headache, dizziness.

For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.

Availability:  Physician prescription

For more information on Naltrexone click here.

Researchers continue to work on developing medications and new treatments for meth addiction, including vaccines and stimulation of the brain using magnetic fields (called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation).

TOPIRAMATE

What it does:  Topiramate is an anticonvulsant medication. When used in recovery, it may ease anxiety and agitation and help reduce cravings.

How it works:  It decreases abnormal excitement in the brain. By reducing levels of the natural brain chemical dopamine which creates the feelings of pleasure and reward that people get from drugs, it may help reset the brain's chemistry

Side effects:  Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet, difficulty concentrating, nervousness, headache, drowsiness and mood swings.

For a more complete list of side effects visit this NIH page.

Availability:  Physician prescription

For more information on Topiramate click here.

Researchers continue to work on developing medications and new treatments for meth addiction, including vaccines and stimulation of the brain using magnetic fields (called Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation).

There are a variety of medications to help you stop smoking. Some contain nicotine and some are nicotine-free. These include nicotine replacement products (such as gum and patches) and medications such as Bupropion and Varenicline.

It is also important to get support from others, either in 12-step or other peer-based recovery program, an app, or online support.

What they do:

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) gradually provides your body with smaller doses of nicotine, without the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke. This helps relieve the withdrawal symptoms and cravings that can often lead to relapse. Many people use NRT in the early stages of quitting. If you have a severe addiction to nicotine you can use NRT for a longer time.

Bupropion and Varenicline
Bupropion (immediate-release and extended-release) was originally approved as an antidepressant. It stimulates the release of dopamine, the brain's natural pleasure chemical, and blocks nicotine receptors.

Varenicline is a smoking-cessation aid that helps reduce nicotine cravings by stimulating nicotine receptors in the brain but less strongly than nicotine.

Do they work?

Studies show that bupropion can increase quit rates and is as effective as NRT. Varenicline also boosts the odds of successfully quitting – and some studies find it is more effective than NRT or bupropion alone.

Combining medications has shown success. A combination of varenicline and NRT, especially using a nicotine patch before quitting, may work better than varenicline alone.

Adding bupropion to NRT also improves quit rates. For smokers who aren’t able to cut down significantly by using the NRT patch, combining extended-release bupropion and varenicline can be effective, especially in men who are very dependent on nicotine.

NICOTINE REPLACEMENT PRODUCTS

What they do:  provide smaller doses of nicotine without smoking and without the dangerous chemicals in cigarettes

How they work:  They help lessen the body's craving for nicotine and reduce withdrawal symptoms. They come in several forms: gum, patch, nasal spray, inhaler, lozenge and e-cigarettes.

Side effects:

• Gum (dizziness, headache, nausea)
• Nasal spray (runny nose, throat irritation, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes)
• Patch (dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
• Inhaler (mouth and throat irritation, runny nose, sinus pressure, headache, gas)
• Lozenge (heartburn, sore throat, mouth problems, irregular or fast heart beat)

For a more complete list of side effects, visit this NIH page and scroll down to Nicotine.

Click here for more information on nicotine replacement products

Availability:  Nicotine gum, patch, lozenges and e-cigarettes (vaping) can be bought at most local drug stores.

Using e-cigarettes (vaping) to stop smoking
Some people use e-cigarettes to stop smoking. But vaping is also bad for your health. Regular cigarettes have about 7,000 chemicals, many that are toxic. E-cigarettes don’t have as many chemicals, but they do have heavy metals and toxic chemicals – which means you are exposing yourself to all kinds of chemicals that are unhealthy and not safe.

According to the CDC, vaping is linked to much higher risks of heart attack, coronary artery disease, lung diseases, strokes and death.

Overall, vaping is not the best tool to quit smoking. It is linked to high risks for heart attack, coronary artery disease, lung diseases, strokes and death. And while they help some people quit, they also increase the risk of relapse in former smokers.

Health alert about vaping
The growing number of cases of severe lung disease and death in people who use e-cigarettes highlights their danger. Experts believe this is most likely due to a toxin in the inhaled vapors.

Teenagers and young adults who vape also face a much higher risk of COVID-19. A Stanford University study found that they were five to seven times more likely to be infected than those who did not vape.

Click here for more information on e-cigarettes.

Availability:  Nicotine gum, patch, lozenges and E-cigarettes (vaping) can be bought at most local drug stores.

BUPROPION (brand names Zyban and Wellbutrin)

What it does:  This antidepressant medication can also be used to help some people quit smoking.

How it works:  Although it does not contain nicotine, it can help you resist the urge to smoke. It is often started 1 or 2 weeks before you stop smoking and can be used for up to 6 months to prevent relapse.

Side effects:  Insomnia, dry mouth, dizziness, headache, nausea, constipation. Serious side effects include seizures and thinking about or planning suicide.

For a more complete list of side effects, visit this NIH page.

Availability:  By prescription from a physician

VARENICLINE (Chantix)

What it does:  Varenicline is considered a smoking cessation aid. It blocks the pleasant effects of nicotine and reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings. This helps prevent relapse by blocking the effects of nicotine if you begin to smoke again.

How it works:  Studies show that the drug stimulates dopamine (the brain's natural pleasure chemical) and blocks nicotine receptors.

Side effects:  Nausea, vomiting, gas, heartburn, vomiting, headache.

For a more complete list of side effects, visit this NIH page.

Availability:  Physician prescription

Note:  As of June 2021 Chantix is no longer on the market but the generic version (varenicline) is still available.

Warning:  Some people have had changes in behavior, mood and thoughts of suicide while taking Chantix. Its role in causing these changes is not clear. In 2016 the FDA stated that the risk of these serious side effects is lower than they thought. But the risk is still there, especially in those being treated for depression, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia.

In 2016 the FDA stated that the risk of these serious side effects is lower than they thought.  But the risk is still present, especially in those being treated for depression, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia.

If you have any of the following symptoms, stop taking Chantix and call your doctor right away: thoughts of killing yourself; new or worsening depression, anxiety, or panic attacks; restlessness; angry or violent behavior;  excited mood (mania); hallucinations; feeling that people are against you; feeling confused; or any other sudden or unusual changes in behavior, thinking, or mood.

You should also contact your health care professional if you have new or worsening symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, calf pain when walking, or sudden weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking.

Click here for more information on this medication.