Stop Smoking Service – Cytisine

Cytisine is a tablet that can help you stop smoking

Doubles your chances of quitting smoking
Does not contain nicotine
Relieves cravings and withdrawal symptoms

How does Cytisine help to quit smoking

Available following a consultation with our pharmacy team. The medication contains no nicotine. But it does mimic its effects. It works to relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking.

Cytisine works by attaching to the same receptors in the brain that nicotine does. It ‘tricks’ your brain into thinking you’ve had a cigarette.

This reduces urges and the withdrawal symptoms of stopping smoking.

Evidence suggests it is as effective as nicotine replacement therapy, such as patches and gum.

It may be a helpful option:

As it’s shown in studies to be twice as effective as placebo at helping people quit smoking
For smokers who have tried to quit before
For those who found other cessation methods haven’t worked

Who can take Cytisine?

Cytisine is suitable for smokers between the ages of 18 – 65 wanting to quit. You should not take cytisine if you have liver, kidney or heart problems, or a history of stroke. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also not take cytisine.

Women taking the pill to prevent pregnancy should also use a barrier method of contraception when taking cytisine, such as condoms (cytisine makes the pill less effective). Alternatively, talk to your doctor about switching to a highly effective (around 99%) long-acting contraceptive, such as the coil.

What happens if you smoke when taking Cytisine?

You can smoke while taking cytisine. However, you should stop smoking no later than the fifth day of taking cytisine.

If you smoke for longer, you risk worsening the treatment reactions. If you take more cytisine than you should, you may experience symptoms such as; feeling generally unwell, feeling and being sick, blurred vision, breathing problems, and convulsions. If you experience this, it’s important you get medical advice immediately.

What are the side effects of Cytisine?

Like with all medications, there’s a risk of side effects. However, these may not affect everyone.

Some of the most common side effects affecting more than 1 in 10 people include:

Changes in appetite (usually an increase)
Dizziness
Mood changes
Sleep problems
Headaches
High blood pressure
Slow heart rate
Dry mouth
Diarrhoea
Sickness
Nausea
Heartburn
Fatigue
Rash
Muscle pain

For more information on side effects, please read the patient information leaflet.

Does Cytisine cause weight gain?

Weight gain is a common side effect of cytisine. However, stopping smoking often causes weight gain (without treatment) as nicotine is an appetite suppressant.

How to take Cytisine

Cytisine should be taken with water. You should plan a quit date (the day of your last cigarette) no later than the fifth day of treatment. After your planned quit date, you should not smoke again as it can make the harmful effects of nicotine even worse.

100 tablets (one pack) are enough for a complete quit attempt over a 25-day period. If your quit attempt doesn’t work this time, you can resume treatment in two to three months.

A dosing schedule can be seen below. It’s useful to set timers on your phone to remind you to take the tablets. If you forget a dose, do not double up next time.

Cytisine dosing schedule

Day 1-3: 6 tablets daily, 1 tablet every 2 hours
Day 4-12: 5 tablets daily, 1 tablet every 2.5 hours
Day 13-16: 4 tablets daily, 1 tablet every 3 hours
Day 17-20: 3 tablets daily, 1 tablet every 5 hours
Day 21-25: 2 tablets daily, 1-2 tablets a day

How long does Cytisine take to work?

The standard course of treatment is 25 days. You’re likely to notice your cravings start to reduce quite soon into your treatment journey and the benefits of smoking can be felt quite quickly. However, it’s important you finish a complete course.