Smoking slows the healing of your ulcer and increases the likelihood of an ulcer coming back.
If you want to stop smoking, medications can help you reach your goal:
- Nicotine gum, skin patches, and nasal spray can help if you are addicted to nicotine.
- Clonidine, given as a pill or through a skin patch, may help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
- Bupropion hydrochloride (such as Wellbutrin or Zyban), which is taken as a pill, may help some people stop smoking.
Quitting smoking can be difficult. People who are most likely to succeed are those who keep trying, even if they have tried several times before, and who complete a program to stop smoking. Hypnosis or acupuncture do not help most people who are trying to quit. For more information, see the topic Quitting Tobacco Use.
Credits
| Author | Colleen Cronin |
| Author | Ralph Poore |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Terrina Vail |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Andrew H. Soll, MD - Gastroenterology |
| Last Updated | January 12, 2006 |
Ralph Poore
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