Question

Your patient is a 17-year-old young man who came in today for a evaluation. Upon completing a substance abuse history, he shares that he has been smoking for the past year. He read on the Internet that nicotine is a natural substance from the nightshade family and that there are not as many harmful effects as the media lets on. He would like you to answer the following questions: (Give your answer and the rationale)

1. Can I become addicted to cigarettes?

2. How can cigarettes be so harmful if they are made from natural substances?

3. How does Chantix help in quitting smoking? What are the side effects that I need to watch out for?

(SUBJECT NURSING PHARMACOLOGY)

Answer 1

1.Can I become addicted to cigarettes?

Yes. Most smokers use tobacco regularly because they are addicted to nicotine. Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use, even in the face of negative health consequences. The majority of smokers would like to stop smoking, and each year about half try to quit permanently. Yet, only about 6 percent of smokers are able to quit in a given year.

2. How can cigarettes be so harmful if they are made from natural substances?

Chemicals in Every Tobacco Plant.It is a fact that cigarettes contain dangerous chemicals.Some of the toxic chemicals in tobacco are present in the plant itself.

Chemicals in Every Cigarette Product.Not all of the harmful chemicals created during cigarette manufacturing are man-made. Some of the carcinogens occur naturally as tobacco is cured

Chemicals in Every Puff of Cigarette Smoke. There are more than 7,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke.2 More than 70 of those chemicals are linked to cancer.

3.How does Chantix help in quitting smoking? What are the side effects that I need to watch out for?

When you smoke, nicotine is sent to your brain, where it attaches to nicotine receptors. A chemical called dopamine is released, making you feel good. Then your dopamine levels drop. This makes you want another cigarette.

CHANTIX attaches to nicotine receptors in the brain, so that nicotine can’t. With CHANTIX, dopamine is still released, but less so than with nicotine. It is believed that these actions are how CHANTIX may help you quit smoking.

1.you may have symptoms that may be due to nicotine withdrawal, including urge to smoke, depressed mood, trouble sleeping, irritability, frustration, anger, feeling anxious, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, decreased heart rate, and increased appetite or weight gain.

2.Some people have had new or worse mental health problems, such as changes in behavior or thinking, aggression, hostility, agitation, depressed mood, or suicidal thoughts or actions while taking or after stopping CHANTIX. These symptoms happened more often in people who had a history of mental health problems

3.New or worse heart or blood vessel problems can happen with CHANTIX.

4.Sleepwalking can happen with CHANTIX, and can sometimes lead to harmful behavior..

5.Do not take CHANTIX if you have had a serious allergic or skin reaction to it. These can happen with CHANTIX and can be life-threatening..

6.The most common side effects of CHANTIX include nausea (30%), sleep problems (trouble sleeping, vivid, unusual, or strange dreams), constipation, gas and/or vomiting..