Home / Health Hub / General Health / Zyban vs. Other Quit Smoking Aids: Which is Best?

Stop Smoking Aids Compared: Varenicline, Champix, Cytisine, Zyban and Patches

8 min read time

Written by: Sunny Dhain

Medically reviewed by: Tannaz Sohrabi

Published 26/12/2023 Updated 23/07/2026

Varenicline is the best stop smoking tablet, and you can get it free on the NHS. About 21 to 25 people in every 100 who take it stop smoking. On willpower alone, it’s about 6 in 100.

Cytisine is nearly as good, and so are nicotine patches, if you use two types together.

Zyban isn’t the strongest option but it can be the best option for some people.

At The Family Chemist we sell varenicline, Cytisine and Zyban, the below comparisons are here to help you choose.

“Most of our patients opt for Zyban or Varenicline because they’re effective at reducing cravings and treatment lasts 9 to 12 weeks”

Tannaz Sohrabi, Governance Pharmacist, MPharm, MRCPharm

Is Champix the same as varenicline?

Yes. Champix is a brand name, and varenicline is the drug inside it. Chantix is the same thing again, just under its American name.

Generic varenicline has the same active ingredient and works the same way.

Is Zyban the same as Champix?

No, they’re different drugs and they work in different ways.

Varenicline (Champix) sticks to the nicotine receptors in your brain. That takes the edge off the cravings, and it makes smoking less enjoyable if you do have a cigarette.

Zyban (bupropion) has no nicotine in it and doesn’t touch those receptors. It works on two brain chemicals instead, which brings the cravings down and makes withdrawal easier.

What they share is that both are tablets, both need a prescription, and neither one contains nicotine.

Which stop smoking aid works best?

Varenicline, cytisine and nicotine vapes. Researchers pooled 319 trials covering more than 150,000 smokers and found strong evidence that those three beat everything else. Zyban and single patches came bottom of the licensed options, though all of them still beat trying to quit with no help.

The table below shows how many people out of every 100 stop smoking for at least six months.

Aid	How many quit out of 100	How long you take it	What you need to know	How to get it
Varenicline (Champix)	21 to 25	12 weeks	The best tablet there is. No nicotine in it. Can make you feel sick and can give you vivid dreams.	Free on the NHS. Or buy from us with a prescription.
Cytisine	18 to 23	25 days	Works like varenicline, but a much shorter course. May cause fewer serious side effects. Not if you’re over 65.	Prescription only
Two types of NRT together (patch plus gum or spray)	20	8 to 12 weeks	Two types together, not one. Far better than a patch on its own.	Buy in any shop. Or free on the NHS.
Zyban (bupropion)	18	7 to 9 weeks	No nicotine. Not the strongest, but right for some people (see below). Not if you’ve ever had a fit or an eating disorder.	Prescription only
One type of NRT (a patch on its own)	18	8 to 12 weeks	The weakest of the licensed options. Use two types together instead.	Buy in any shop.
Willpower alone	About 6	–	Here so you can compare. Everything above roughly triples your odds.	–

These numbers come from trials where people also had support from a stop smoking service. Support isn’t a nice extra. It roughly doubles what the tablet manages on its own, so use both.

Why would anyone choose Zyban over varenicline?

In most cases, Varenicline is the preferred option, as it has been shown to help more people stop smoking and is available free of charge through the NHS. Zyban may be considered where varenicline is unsuitable, contraindicated, not tolerated, or unavailable.

Zyban is the better fit if:

you’ve tried varenicline and it made you feel sick, or gave you odd dreams

varenicline didn’t work for you, and you’d rather try something that works a different way than have another go at the same one

you’re worried about putting on weight when you stop. Zyban is the only one of these with decent evidence behind it there

you want nothing to do with nicotine, and varenicline doesn’t suit you

Do not take Zyban if you have ever had a seizure, an eating disorder, or bipolar disorder. There’s a small risk of seizures with it, which is why you need a proper assessment before you start.

What is cytisine?

Cytisine works in much the same way as varenicline. It comes from the laburnum plant. It has been used in eastern Europe for decades. NICE approved it for NHS use in February 2025.

The appeal is the course length. Twenty-five days, against twelve weeks for varenicline. It may also cause fewer serious side effects, while getting about the same number of people off cigarettes.

It isn’t recommended over the age of 65.

Do nicotine vapes work better than tablets?

Cochrane found strong evidence that nicotine vapes get more people off cigarettes than patches or gum do.

The catch is that they have nicotine in them. Plenty of people are fine with that, and vaping is far safer than smoking. But if being free of nicotine altogether is the whole point for you, a tablet makes more sense.

Can I get stop smoking treatment free on the NHS?

Yes, and it’s worth looking into before you pay anyone.

NHS Stop Smoking Services will give you varenicline, patches and support at no cost. You can refer yourself. Some of them hand out vapes too.

People come to us for practical reasons, mostly. A long waiting list locally. Appointment times that don’t work around a job. Wanting to start this week rather than next month. Those are all fair enough. Not knowing the free option exists isn’t, which is why we’ve now said it twice.

“It takes less than 5 minutes to complete a consultation with us. Our clinicians then review your medical history and assess whether treatment is suitable for you. They may advise alternatives or support but your treatment usually with you within a couple of days compared to potentially weeks or months of waiting on the NHS waiting list.”

Tannaz Sohrabi, Governance Pharmacist, MPharm, MRCPharm

Which one should I choose?

A starting point, not a prescription. Run it past a pharmacist before you commit to anything.

Never tried a stop smoking tablet before: varenicline, free on the NHS if you can wait for the appointment.

Want the shortest course: cytisine, at 25 days.

Varenicline made you feel sick, or gave you odd dreams: Zyban, which works a different way.

Want to avoid nicotine altogether: varenicline, cytisine or Zyban. Not patches, gum or vapes.

Worried about putting on weight: Zyban.

Over 65: not cytisine. Varenicline or patches instead.

Ever had a fit, an eating disorder or bipolar disorder: not Zyban.

Don’t want a prescription at all: two types of NRT together. A patch plus gum or spray. Two, not one.

One rule from NICE: don’t mix NRT, varenicline and Zyban. Pick one and give it a proper go.

How to get stop smoking treatment from The Family Chemist

Complete an online consultation that takes less than 5 minutes, our clinicians will review it, then you can purchase your treatment if you’re eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions

How well does Zyban work?

About 18 people in every 100 who take it stop smoking for at least six months, against about 6 in 100 with no help at all. Varenicline manages 21 to 25. So Zyban roughly triples your chances, but varenicline still does better.

How long does Zyban take to work?

You start it a week or two before your quit date and carry on smoking while it builds up. The full course runs 7 to 9 weeks. If you haven’t stopped by week seven, it isn’t going to happen, and you should come off it.

Is Champix back in the UK?

Yes, since July 2025. Generic varenicline is the same drug, has been on sale since autumn 2024, and is free through NHS Stop Smoking Services.

Can I buy Zyban over the counter?

No. Zyban, varenicline and cytisine all need a prescription, because someone has to check they’re safe for you first. That could be your GP, an NHS service, or an online pharmacy like us.

Does Zyban stop you putting on weight when you quit?

It may hold it down a bit. Zyban is the only one of these with decent evidence for that. It isn’t a weight loss drug and shouldn’t be used as one. But if the weight is your main worry, it’s a genuine mark in its favour.

How we reviewed this article:

Sources

Nicotine Receptor Partial Agonists for Smoking Cessation (2023) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD006103 [accessed 14th July 2026]
Pharmacological and Electronic Cigarette Interventions for Smoking Cessation in Adults: Component Network Meta-Analyses (2023) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD015226 [accessed 14th July 2026]
Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation (2025) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD010216 [accessed 14th July 2026]

Current version
23rd Jul 2026 Edited by: Sunny Dhain, MPharmRS PGDip IndP
23rd Jul 2026 Medically reviewed by: Tannaz Sohrabi

Medically reviewed by:

Tannaz Sohrabi

Tannaz is Governance Pharmacist at The Family Chemist, where she leads the clinical governance and safety standards of the pharmacy and online clinic. With extensive experience across both hospital and community pharmacy, she brings a strong clinical background and a deep understanding of patient care to the service.

Last reviewed: 23rd Jul 2026

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