E. Success?

Chantix and Zyban are two of the most prescribed medications for smokers.

In a study, Dr. Mitchell Nides randomly assigned 626 people to Chantix, Zyban, or a placebo.

The “success” rates and relapse rates were documented as follows:

12 WEEKS %Not Smoking(Success) % Smoking (Relapse)

Chantix 38.8% 61.2%

Zyban 19.8% 80.2%

52 WEEKS %Not Smoking(Success) % Smoking (Relapse)

Chantix 14.4% 85.6%

Zyban 6.3% 93.7%

The “success” rate, or lack thereof is less than motivating, but those are statistics from a study group and study protocols. What is the difference from a clinical trial and a “real world” smoker simply being prescribed a medication?

Should you expect to achieve the same “success” rate as participants in a clinical trial?

Pfizer (maker of Chantix) spared no expense in creating one of the most intense clinic quitting experiences in any smoking cessation study ever.

Participants received the following:

· Free Chantix medication

· Reimbursed Travel expenses

· 16 Clinic visits (Free)

· One-on-one sessions with counselors trained in motivation and coping skills development (Free)

· 8 Follow up support phone calls from their Physician (Free)

· 2 Full physical exams (Free)

· Multiple Surveys

· 7 Urine and Blood Checks (Free)

· EKG’s – if required (Free)

· 16 Carbon Monoxide breath tests (Free)

With all the massive follow-up and counseling, it is amazing that the results aren’t much better!

We know the success rate, so now take a look at a partial list of the side effects of Chantix and the % which they occur in patients.

SYMPTOM CHANTIX 1mg.

NAUSEA 30%

INSOMNIA 18%

%