Smoking cessation shot

[wimminrule]

Anyone have any information on it? I'm in the Austin area. TIA!

[micki]

The SMART™ Shot is a new and improved smoking cessation shot consisting of a combination of two medicines that have been around for over a decade and are FDA-approved for indications other than quitting smoking.

These medicines are Scopolamine (which is the ingredient of the sea sickness patch) and Atarax (which is an antihistamine like Benadryl) in a unique formula to block the nicotine receptors in the brain and help ease the physical withdrawal associated with quitting smoking.

This nicotine block is then continued for the next 2 weeks by using a combination of the scopolamine patch and medications taken orally. The SMART™ Shot is a new formulation of a smoking cessation shot which was developed in 1983. The SMART™ Shot does not use atropine (which can make your heart race) or the antipsychotic medication Thorazine (chlorpormazine).

After all, we agree that you are crazy for smoking, but not crazy enough to need Thorazine! The SMART™ Shot is just as effective as the old shot with less chance of side effects. Unlike the old shot, which took three shots (two behind the ear and one in the buttocks); the SMART™ Shot is given with just one shot!

At the AMI-Quit Doc Clinic we have helped hundreds of people quit using the SMART shot with a success rate of between 70-80%. Our results are so impressive that we were asked to present our data at the American College of Chest Physicians meeting in October 2004.

Our results are significantly better than the nicotine replacement patch/gum or Zyban® which have “real world” quit rates of less than 20%.

[micki]

I would try Chantix before this. It is actually approved for smoking cessation by the FDA, and not an off-label use. It really works, plus you get to keep smoking for the first 7 days, and you will see it working as you smoke less and think about smoking less until you are ready to quit. I quit on day 9, and it was actually not that difficult. There have been some pretty stressful things going on in the past few weeks, and I can't say I haven't had some cravings, but they aren't that bad. REALLY!
Seriously, if you want to quit, call your doc and get the pills, and just start taking them.

[wimminrule]

Yeah, I quit with Chantix before (7 mos) but am having a hard time getting them again after the FDA warning.

Thanks for the info! I wish I could find some place here that offered the shot.

[micki]

What FDA warning? I just went to Dr yesterday, and told him I have been taking my BF's pills and it's time to get my own. He wrote the prescription, no problem, no warning?

[wimminrule]

This is from about.com:

The FDA has issued a Public Health Advisory requesting that new safety warnings be added to the label of the antismoking drug Chantix. This comes two months after the FDA's earlier communication that the drugmaker, Pfizer, had reported suicidal thoughts in some patients. Now the FDA has finished it's analysis and according to the agency's press release "it appears increasingly likely that there may be an association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms." In other words, taking Chantix could in fact lead to such suicidal thoughts in some patients (what percent of patients is not yet clear). Dr. Bob Rappaport of the FDA said that "while Chantix has demonstrated clear evidence of efficacy, it is important to consider these safety concerns and alert the public about these risks." As always, patients and doctors must communicate with one another to weigh the risks and benefits before taking medication to quit smoking.

If you have had any history of psychiatric illness you must discuss this with your doctor before receiving a prescription for Chantix. Those taking Chantix should closely watch for any changes in mood or behavior and immediately inform their doctor.

Related Articles:

* Early Warning about Chantix
* Drugs to Help You Quit Smoking
* Nicotine Replacement Therapies
* Table of Antismoking Medications
* Quit Smoking During Pregnancy

FDA Warning About Chantix

I'm mad about it because it didn't affect me that way, but can't convince the doctors (2 so far.) They say we don't know enough about its effects yet.

[micki]

Originally Posted by wimminrule

This is from about.com:

The FDA has issued a Public Health Advisory requesting that new safety warnings be added to the label of the antismoking drug Chantix. This comes two months after the FDA's earlier communication that the drugmaker, Pfizer, had reported suicidal thoughts in some patients. Now the FDA has finished it's analysis and according to the agency's press release "it appears increasingly likely that there may be an association between Chantix and serious neuropsychiatric symptoms." In other words, taking Chantix could in fact lead to such suicidal thoughts in some patients (what percent of patients is not yet clear). Dr. Bob Rappaport of the FDA said that "while Chantix has demonstrated clear evidence of efficacy, it is important to consider these safety concerns and alert the public about these risks." As always, patients and doctors must communicate with one another to weigh the risks and benefits before taking medication to quit smoking.

If you have had any history of psychiatric illness you must discuss this with your doctor before receiving a prescription for Chantix. Those taking Chantix should closely watch for any changes in mood or behavior and immediately inform their doctor.

Related Articles:

* Early Warning about Chantix
* Drugs to Help You Quit Smoking
* Nicotine Replacement Therapies
* Table of Antismoking Medications
* Quit Smoking During Pregnancy

FDA Warning About Chantix

I'm mad about it because it didn't affect me that way, but can't convince the doctors (2 so far.) They say we don't know enough about its effects yet.

You know what would make me want to kill myself? Lung cancer. Tell your doctor that!

If you really want it, I suggest setting up a consult with a plastic surgeon. Tell them you are considering a brow lift or something. They always tell you to quit smoking before surgery. You can ask for a prescription. Obviously you don't have to ever go back for the surgery. A little sneaky, but sometimes you have to be.