Quitting medicines and NRT

There are two types of medications that can be used to help you quit smoking – prescribed tablets and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which can be purchased without a prescription.

Prescribed quit smoking medications

In Australia, there are two prescribed medications available that are designed to help people quit smoking:

• Champix^® (brand name for varenicline tartrate)
• Zyban^® (brand name for bupropion)

These medications can help reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, difficulty concentrating and insomnia. Talk to your doctor about the best option for you.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)

NRT products provide small, measured doses of nicotine, helping people who are quitting smoking deal with nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety and restlessness. They come in a variety of different forms including:

• Nicotine patches
• Faster-acting forms of NRT:
  • chewing gum
  • mouth lozenges
  • mouth spray
  • inhalator that has a vapour that is inhaled.