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BrownNWG OP t1_j5kyxeo wrote

Reply to comment by KoalaHeist in We are the Brown University Nicotine Working Group. We study the causes, consequences, and treatments of nicotine and tobacco use. We're here to answer questions about anything we have the knowledge to answer related to tobacco use, ask us anything! by BrownNWG

>Hello everyone! Thank you for having this AMA. I have a question about strategies on quitting smoking for a family member who has been smoking for 40+ years and has tried quitting countless times, but is unsuccessful. He's unsure about using e-cigarettes and nicotine replacement products. What would you recommend to do?

It’s great that you are thinking about this and how to support your family member. The “gold-standard” treatment for quitting is nicotine replacement products or a prescription for Varenicline. This doesn’t work for everyone and often takes many attempts, but tends to get easier each time someone tries. E-cigarettes are a safer alternative to cigarette smoking, especially for people who have a hard time quitting. E-cigarettes have only been around since 2007 so we are still learning about what their long term effects are. Current research supports harm reduction.

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KoalaHeist t1_j5l0xgc wrote

Thank you for replying back to my question. I never heard of Varenicline before. What exactly does it do and how does someone go about getting it? The family member in question is afraid of trying new products. Which method would be easiest to attempt for someone who is so used to smoking cigarettes?

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BrownNWG OP t1_j5l61a5 wrote

>Thank you for replying back to my question. I never heard of Varenicline before. What exactly does it do and how does someone go about getting it? The family member in question is afraid of trying new products. Which method would be easiest to attempt for someone who is so used to smoking cigarettes?

Varenicline (aka CHANTIX) is a prescription medication that must be obtained from a licensed healthcare provider. It temporarily blocks craving for nicotine but it does have side effects. It is most effective when paired with counseling. Nicotine Replacement Therapy (such as gum, patches) can be a good first step for people who do not feel comfortable consulting a doctor. There is a growing body of research on combining Varenicline + nicotine replacement therapy but it’s too early to say if the combination is better.

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tattednip t1_j5polqp wrote

Can you offer any explanation of why many patients who use Varenicline exhibit horrible nightmares?

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