Smokers and Friends

Quit Your Way…

Zyban or Champix

Zyban or Champix

These prescription medications can DOUBLE your chances of quitting.1

What Zyban or Champix does for you

Zyban and Champix are different types of medication. Both must be prescribed by a doctor, and both affect chemicals in your brain in order to reduce your body’s cravings for nicotine.

  • Zyban (Buproprion) blocks the effects of nicotine, reduces withdrawal symptoms and depressed mood. This medication can be used along with nicotine replacement therapy (i.e., patch, gum, lozenge, etc.).
  • Champix (Varenicline) replaces the nicotine molecule in the brain by mimicking it. The nicotine molecule is blocked, but cravings are reduced.  This medication cannot be used with nicotine replacement therapy.

With both medications, there is a phase-out period when smoking may continue for a few days at the start until the medication is in full effect. A quit date should be set within the first two weeks after start of medication. Ask your doctor which medication is best for you.

How to use them

You and your doctor can talk about whether either Zyban or Champix would work for you. Your doctor will describe exactly how to use the medication. To increase your chances of quitting, follow your doctor’s advice carefully.

Where to get them

Zyban and Champix are only available by prescription. Make an appointment with a doctor at your campus health clinic or your family physician.

What they cost

Because Zyban and Champix are both prescription medications, they may be covered in your student health insurance plan. If not, Zyban costs about $135/treatment. (A generic version costs about $90). Champix costs about $278/treatment. Treatment usually lasts 12 weeks.

1Compared to placebo treatment – where the person isn’t getting the real quit aid, even though they think they are getting it. Fiore, MC. et al. (2008). Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update. Clinical Practice Guideline. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Smokers and Friends
Scroll to top