the fitness instructor at the gym was mentioning it to me today and i thought they sound really promising. i have tried patches, gum and hypnotherapy and all without success. was wondering if it is worth approaching the dr to see if taking this zyban stuff would be worth my while.
if you have taken it what was your experience??

My DH tried Zyban and it had a really bad effect on him. He was moody, withdrawn and just completely not himself. I'm sure it doesn't affect everyone like this but would not reccommend it after my experience with DH.

husband used this. he did really well for two years but then started smoking again

personally, i think the only way is willpower. i gave up three and a half years ago.

i decided to stop, and then set a date one week away. on the day, i smoked all the cidarettes i had remaining (4) and then went out for a walk. i thought to myself that it was my first outing as a non smoker. i felt terrible for 2 days, then it got easier and i haven't had so much as a drag since.

i will never, ever smoke again. it is hard to stop, but it can be done. good luck x

I had Zyban several years ago and it was one of the worst experiences Ive ever had. It made me depressed, irrational, I had weird dreams/hallucinations at night - I kid you not! It made me feel incredibly weird and unreal, I have never experienced anything like it before or since.

But I did quit smoking! I would say be careful.

My DH had smoked 30-a-day for 20 years of one the strongest brands of cigarettes. Decided he wanted to give up, so the GP prescribed Zyban. It made him feel really tired?! After about a month he just stopped taking it as he was fed up with it(didn't follow the instructions to cut it down etc as per the doctors advise - he just stopped taking it).
However, he didn't return to smoking and he still hasn't, 5 years later!

My dad used it to quit smoking 2 packs a day after over 50 years.

Not one side effect.

He stopped smoking.

You have to WANT to stop smoking, though.

It is only a tool, like every other aid.

Worth a try, however, if you've truly tried other methods and not stopped.

I tried Zyban about 4 years ago - it didn't work for me. Am currently on Champix (new wonder stop-smoking tablet), again not working for me, although 2 girls in the office have given up using Champix. A bit like Zyban, take it for 2 weeks, have to give up during your second week. I was on holiday during my second week and didn't stop. Kept saying tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow. Have now stopped taking Champix as I am about to start my 3rd (two) week course (yesterday) and as I haven't given up, no point wasting my time. I stopped smoking about 18 years ago and stayed stopped for 9 years. Then started again (don't ask why, long story). Last time I gave up smoking I used Nicobrevin (costs about £29 for the 4 week course), only took the (non nicotine) tablets for 2 weeks and didn't finish the course and didn't smoke again for 9 years.

At the end of the day, like others say, you need to want to give up.

I tried Zyban a few years ago. Had a few side affects, strange dreams etc but nothing too bad. Gave up for two months, finished the course, went on holiday and started again.

My friend tried Champix and said it was great until she stopped it, then started smoking again.

I like the idea that these drugs work by blocking the nicotine hit whilst you are still smoking so withdrawal is less noticable. I think the success rate with any aid is quite low as it is with cold turkey.

I keep trying and am currently doing very well on another cold turkey. First 60 hours were terrible but now 5 days in I'm not craving or suffering. I cannot believe it so fingers crossed. I've been walking quite a bit so that may be helping. I think its very hard and you have to really want to do it. So easy to relapse ime but I think I'm well equipped for the danger signs this time.

Good luck if you try. Remember to post. There are always recovering addicts on here.

I tried it a few years ago had an awful allergic reaction to it woke up one morning covered in what looked like nettle rash, in the end i gave up doing one of the free nhs courses.