Try use anti-depressants to stop smoking or not ? Here some facts.
A lot of research has been done on people who have tried to stop smoking with
Lustral, Paxil, Prozac, Lexapro and Efexor. Unfortunately, these substances didn't help people stop smoking. So far, the only anti-depressant that has been approved by the FDA for smokers who want to quit is
bupropion which in known under the brand name
Zyban. Another substance that is used for the cessation of cigarette smoking is nortriptyline. Although this is proven to be as ineffective as a placebo, many doctors recommend this option to people who cannot quit smoking using nicotine replacement therapy.
Some Side Effects to Consider
Most of the people who tried to stop smoking with Prozac ended up smoking again because it didn't reduce their withdrawal cravings. Worse, 30% of the people who tried to stop smoking with Prozac ended up experiencing depression. Not only are most anti-depressants unsuccessful in inhibiting nicotine cravings, they have been known to affect the smoker's appetite and mental health. Most of the time, the taking in of the medication is followed by nausea and mood swings. Even worse, these people end up becoming suicidal. In fact, doctors are advised by the FDA to put people taking anti-depressants under constant supervision just in case their depression becomes worse. It has been found that the tendency for them to harm themselves becomes higher during the first few months of treatment or when the dosage of the medication is changed.
Because of the severe side effects caused by anti-depressants, people who plan on kicking the habit should consider this is a last resort. Perhaps they should try forms of nicotine replacement therapy like
nicotine patches and gums first. Smoking cessation is a slow process and should be taken one step at a time.