The stop smoking injection is advertised aggressively by most anti-smoking clinics these days. The smokers are usually given three injections of Scopolamine or Atropine behind the ears, on the hip or on the arms.
The drugs are medically classified as anticholinergics and help in controlling neural activity. They have been extensively used in the medical field in the form of anesthetics during surgery or as a temporary means of curing Parkinson’s disease.
As an antismoking aid, these chemicals act on the nicotine sensitive areas of the brain and reduce the craving for a smoke. A single session may last from an hour to an hour and a half and costs approximately 350-500 dollars.
As a part of the treatment the patient is required to wear a scopolamine patch behind his ear and take atropine tablets for two weeks after getting the shot. The clinics also offer counseling sessions that help fight withdrawal symptoms and mood swings.
The most common side-effects associated with anti-smoking injections are dizziness, dry mouth, headaches and problems in urinating. This happens soon after the injection is given.
Long term effects include hallucination, strokes and heart attacks. However, these are rare, and are usually observed in those smokers who are subjected to high dosage. In extreme cases the person can also end up in coma.
A smoker needs to undergo a complete medical check up before treatment. However, this treatment should be avoided for pregnant women or those who suffer from cardiac disorders. People who are using other narcotics also should avoid the anti-smoking injections. It is, however, not a very well established technique. The success rate is not very high, and the chances of side-effects are high. It is therefore essential to investigate the clinic and the doctors before going ahead with the treatment. A chat with former patients can also help a great deal.
