Smoking Pill Made Quitting Possible At Last
Joe and Terry Graedon
Q. I know there is controversy over the stop-smoking drug called Chantix. I started smoking when I was 11 and just turned 60. Never in a million years did I ever think I would be able to quit smoking, nor did I want to.
My doctor told me firmly I should try to quit. The next year, he prescribed Chantix.
I filled the prescription, but in my mind I had no intention of quitting. You can't imagine my surprise when it started working.
After several weeks, the drug took away that absolute panic I felt when I thought I couldn't have a cigarette. That panic is what kept me from quitting in the past.
I gradually started to lose interest in lighting up, or would light up and take two puffs and then put it out. I moved my smoking area outside and just never went out there to light up.
It has been more than two years. I do not smoke anymore.
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health.
Chantix does help people stop smoking. It has some potentially serious side effects, however. They include suicidal preoccupation, depression or panic, agitation, anger or violence, paranoia and hallucinations.
