Deciding to quit is powerful; pairing that decision with evidence-basedquit-smoking medications turns power into progress. Qwitly’s program uses four carefully chosen prescriptions—varenicline, bupropion, prazosin,and ondansetron—each targeting a different obstacle on your smoke-freejourney. When you know how and when these medicines work, you can follow your plan with confidence.

1. Varenicline (Chantix) – Blocking the Nicotine “Reward”

• What it does: Varenicline partially activates the same brain receptors nicotine targets, releasing a mild, steady trickle of dopamine. Cravings fade, and if you do sneak a puff, the cigarette feels far less satisfying.
• Timeline: Start 7 days before Quit Day; continue through Month 6.
• Tips for success: Take with food and a full glass of water to cut nausea. If vivid dreams appear, shift the evening dose to dinnertime.

2. Bupropion (Zyban) – Leveling Mood and Cutting Urges

• What it does: This antidepressant boosts dopamine and norepinephrine, lifting energy and reducing irritability—two big relapse triggers.
• Timeline: Begin 7–14 days before Quit Day; stay on through Month 12.
• Tips for success: Take one pill in the morning and the second at least eight hours later; avoid bedtime dosing to protect sleep. Dry mouth? Keep sugar-free gum handy and hydrate.

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3. Prazosin – Calming Early-Quit Anxiety and Nightmares

• What it does: Originally an alpha-blocker for blood pressure, prazosin also relaxes the over-active “fight-or-flight” response common in nicotine withdrawal. Many people find it smooths early-quit jitters and tamps down vivid dreams from varenicline.
• Timeline: First dose the night before Quit Day; continue nightly for the first 6 months.
• Tips for success: Take at bedtime; rise slowly in the morning to prevent light-headedness. If daytime anxiety lingers, ask your clinician about an earlier evening dose.

4. Ondansetron (Zofran) – A Safety Net for Nausea

• What it does: Nausea is the most common early side-effect of varenicline. Ondansetron blocks the serotonin receptors that trigger queasiness, keeping your stomach settled so you can stay on track.
• Timeline: Keep 4 mg tablets on hand for the first 6 months; use only as needed.
• Tips for success: Place one tablet under your tongue at the first wave of nausea; repeat after four hours if necessary. Combine with small, protein-rich meals for extra relief.

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How the Four Medications Work Together

Think of your treatment plan as a team sport:

• Varenicline quiets cravings by blunting nicotine’s reward.
• Bupropion steadies mood and energy, making stress-smoking less tempting.
• Prazosin keeps early anxiety and sleep disturbances from derailing you.
• Ondansetron removes nausea—so you actually keep taking the star players above.

Each drug tackles a different angle of addiction: reward, mood, stress, and side-effects. Together, they create a stable platform for new smoke-free habits to take root.

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Key Takeaways

• Start varenicline and bupropion 7–14 days before Quit Day; they peak right when cravings do.
• Prazosin nightly reduces early anxiety and vivid dreams for six months.
• Ondansetron as needed keeps nausea from knocking you off course.
• Completing the **full timeline—6 months for varenicline and prazosin, 12 months for bupropion—**gives your brain time to reset and your habits time to stick.

Armed with a clear understanding of your medications and schedule, you’ve transformed willpower into a medically backed plan. Up next in Quitting 101: how to navigate the first smoke-free day with confidence and calm.

Staying on Schedule

1. Set phone alarms for every pill—morning, afternoon, and bedtime.
2. Use a seven-day pill organizer so you never wonder, “Did I take that dose?”
3. Review your timeline with your Qwitly clinician at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Doses can be fine-tuned to your progress and side-effect profile.

Common Questions

“Can I stop a medication early if I feel fine?”
Always talk to your clinician first. Relapse risk remains high in the firstyear; completing the course locks in brain-chemistry recovery.

“Will I gain weight?”
Bupropion often blunts post-quit weight gain. Pair it with healthy snacks andhydration from Parts 3 & 4 for best results.

“What if I miss a dose?”
Skip it—don’t double up. Resume your normal schedule at the next planned time.

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