Abu Dhabi: Champix, a prescription medicine, to help smokers quit is now being sold across pharmacies in the UAE.
Champix has been approved by the Ministry of Health. "The usual course of treatment for Champix is 12 weeks, however an additional 12 weeks of treatment may be advised. In some cases, a short reduction of the dose over a week or so may be helpful.
Irritability
This is because at the end of treatment, if the medicine is stopped abruptly, some people develop increased irritability, an urge to smoke, depression, and/or sleeping difficulties for a short period of time.
These problems can be eased by a gradual reduction of the dose. A smoker and doctor, G.A., told Gulf News, "I have been smoking for over 30 years and being a doctor I know it may help me stop smoking due to its chemical reaction."
