News Release Page Title

7 July 2000

ZYBAN NOW AVAILABLE ON PRESCRIPTION TO HELP SMOKERS GIVE UP

The Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Ms Bairbre de Brún, today announced that Zyban would be available on health service prescription here.

Ms De Brún said: "Zyban is welcome news for smokers who are determined to kick the habit. However, people will still need considerable motivation and willpower, as well as professional support, if they are to succeed in giving up."

As with other medicines, Zyban does have some side effects and is not suitable for everyone. Individuals should seek professional advice and carefully read the Patient Information Leaflet, which accompanies the medicine. Professional advice on the use of Zyban will also be developed over the coming months.

The Department is committed to doing what it can to ensure that existing smokers are encouraged to quit, and that children and young people do not take up the habit. The Minister said: "An additional £1 million has been made available over the last year and this year as part of a plan to tackle the problem of smoking. This has included a public information campaign aimed at young people in the 10-13 age group, and a range of smoking cessation projects, which are currently undergoing evaluation. This year the public information campaign will be aimed at adult smokers who want to quit."

The availability of Zyban, the first non nicotine product for smoking cessation, is very encouraging. Consideration is being given to how best to incorporate it into the wider range of smoking cessation interventions.

The Minister concluded: "My Department is currently developing a strategy and action plan to tackle smoking. This should be available for consultation in the autumn."

 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. Smoking is the single most important preventable cause of illness, premature death and health inequality.
  2. Around 2,800 people die here every year from smoking related diseases. 29% of the adult population smokes. 70% of current smokers want to give up but many find it hard to do so because of the nicotine addiction.
  3. Zyban (bupropion) is licensed as an aid to smoking in combination with motivation support in nicotine dependent patients. It may be used as part of a structured plan to stop smoking. A full course of treatment is 7-9 weeks.
  4. Bupropion was first developed in the USA as an antidepressant.
  5. Zyban is a prescription only medicine. It is thought to act by minimising cravings and withdrawal symptoms by tackling the biochemical basis of nicotine addiction.
  6. The most common side effects include insomnia, dry mouth, headaches and skin rashes.
  7. The incidence of seizures is about 1 in every 1000. This increases if patients have predisposing risk factors and exceed the maximum recommended dose. Further information on contraindications, drug interactions, side effects and specific patient groups may be found in the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information leaflet.