About Cytisine Quit Smoking Pills: How to Quit Smoking with Cytisine

If you’re considering stopping smoking, you’ll want to ensure you’re giving yourself the best chance of success. Taking prescription medication is one of the more effective solutions, as they don’t contain any nicotine and actively work to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Cytisine is one such treatment. Taken in tablet form, the medication can help you kick the habit in just 25 days by binding to the nicotine receptors in the brain and reducing your urge to smoke. But what exactly are Cytisine quit smoking pills, how do they work, and what are the side effects they could cause?

In this article, we’ll answer all of these questions and more besides, including a comparison of Cytisine to other available prescription medications. Let’s get started. 

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Why Quit Smoking

There are many benefits and reasons why people quit smoking. Some do it for their health, while others give up due to financial constraints. Here are the main motivations for going smoke-free.

Short-Term Benefits

After you’ve quit smoking for just a few weeks, you should notice the following:

• An improvement in taste and smell
• Shortness of breath eases
• You feel like you have more energy
• Any respiratory symptoms should begin to subside or get better, like coughing or wheezing
• It is easier to exercise

After just one month of quitting smoking, research has shown a 200ml increase in forced expiratory volume (FEV), or the amount of air that can be exhaled in one second, an increase in vitamin D levels, and a reduction in total cholesterol. For people under 40, quitting smoking for less than three years cuts the extra risk of dying by 95% in women and 90% in men.

Long-Term Benefits 

Quitting smoking for:

• 1 Year: Reduces your risk of a heart attack by 50%
• 10 Years: Lung cancer death risk halves
• 15 Years: Heart attack risk is equal to that of a person who has never smoked

Smoking is also associated with facial ageing, so giving up will benefit your skin, helping you to look younger. There is also some research which suggests that smoking causes poor mental health, while other studies show that kicking the habit can significantly improve symptoms of anxiety and depression.

The health benefits of giving up smoking can begin in as little as 20 minutes after you stop and can continue for decades after.

Financial Benefits

Smoking doesn’t just harm your health; it can also take its toll on your bank balance. The daily cost of cigarettes soon adds up, often amounting to thousands of pounds per year. By quitting, you’ll not only improve your health but also free up your cash for other priorities.

Choosing a stop-smoking aid like Cytisine can make financial sense. Compared to the ongoing expense of cigarettes, Cytisine is a more affordable option, helping you save money by reducing cigarette spending and by using a cost-effective treatment to support your quitting journey. 

How to Give Up Smoking 

It’s important to find an effective smoking cessation strategy, no matter if you’re a habitual or social smoker. There’s no right or wrong way to do it; the main thing is that you discover something that works for you. Some tips include:

• Set a quit date
• Decide how you want to quit (go cold turkey, use a vape, or try a stop smoking medication)
• Identify your smoking triggers
• Set realistic goals
• Create a support network

Giving up smoking is challenging, but it is possible with the right support. Many people find that quit-smoking medication is an effective way to help them give up for good. Popular options include Cytisine, which is available in tablet form and can be easily accessed following a clinician’s approval.  

What are Cytisine Quit Smoking Pills?

Cytisine is a prescription-only medication that contains a natural plant extract that mimics the effects of nicotine by binding to its receptors in the brain. By blocking the effects of nicotine on the brain, Cytisine makes smoking less rewarding and reduces your urge to smoke cigarettes.

It is available as an oral tablet, and each pill contains 1.5mg of cytisine. You will usually take it for 25 days, following a dosage schedule that gradually reduces. 

Cytisine Mechanism of Action

Cytisine works by mimicking the effects of nicotine, the addictive chemical in cigarettes, by attaching to its receptors in the brain. When you take a Cytisine tablet, your brain thinks you have smoked a cigarette, which reduces your urge to smoke. By binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the brain, Cytisine helps you stop smoking by:

1. Reducing withdrawal symptoms by curbing the physical and psychological nicotine cravings. 
2. Reduces the rewarding feeling you get from smoking, making it less enjoyable. By diminishing the pleasurable “hit” you get from smoking a cigarette, Cytisine reduces the reinforcing effects of smoking.

It’s not recommended that you smoke while taking cytisine, as this can increase the risk of side effects and may make the medication less effective. 

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• Reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms 
• Short, structured treatment course

• Discreet delivery next working day
• Online prescription - No doctor visit

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Is Cytisine Effective?

Yes, Cytisine is an effective quit-smoking medication. After one month, 40% of people taking cytisine had continuously abstained from smoking compared to 31% of people using nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT).

A review of eight randomised controlled trials found that people who took cytisine were twice as likely to quit smoking compared to a placebo. So, Cytisine is both a cost-effective and beneficial medication to help you give up your cigarette habit for good.

What is the Recommended Cytisine Dose?

Cytisine is an oral tablet, and each pack contains 100 pills, which last for 25 days, completing the treatment course. Cytisine can be taken with or without food, but should be swallowed whole with water. You should quit smoking completely no later than 5 days after starting Cytisine; if you continue to smoke, it can worsen side effects.

The dosage schedule reduces over the 25 days as your body gets used to the medication and your urge to smoke lessens. The usual Cytisine dosage schedule is as follows: 

How to Quit Smoking with Cytisine Pills

Quitting smoking is a big step, but Cytisine pills can make the process more manageable. Cytisine works by easing withdrawal symptoms and reducing cigarette cravings, giving you a greater chance of long-term success. With the right dosage, support, and commitment, you can increase your chances of quitting smoking for good. 

Here are some of the steps you should take when quitting smoking with Cytisine: 

• Make the decision to quit: Set a clear date within the first 5 days of treatment to quit smoking and keep reminding yourself why you want to stop smoking.
• Prepare in advance: Remove cigarettes, lighter, matches, ashtrays, and any other smoking paraphernalia from your environment, which may increase your urge to smoke.
• Order Cytisine: Order your Cytisine pills from Prescription Doctor after completing a brief online health consultation.
• Follow the dosage schedule: Take cytisine exactly as your clinician advises and follow the dosage schedule for the best results.
• Build healthy routines into your lifestyle:  Eating a healthy, balanced diet, exercising regularly, and staying hydrated can support your body as it adjusts to you quitting smoking. Taking up a hobby can also provide a welcome distraction, especially in the early days of quitting. 
• Seek extra support: Let your friends and family know that you are quitting, so that they can help you or avoid tempting you to restart smoking. You can also look for local support groups to provide extra encouragement. 
• Check in with your clinician: Regularly review your progress with your clinician or speak to them if you have any concerns, especially if you need further advice about managing cravings or side effects.
• Stay focused: Inevitably, some days will be tougher than others, but it’s essential to remind yourself of the health and financial benefits of quitting smoking to stay motivated.    

Are There Any Alternatives to Cytisine?

Cytisine quit-smoking pills are just one of the licensed medications that are available in the UK. At Prescription Doctor, we’re proud to offer the following treatments:

• Varenicline: A prescription-only pill that contains the active ingredient varenicline, formerly Champix. It is a pill that is usually taken daily for 12 weeks and works by binding to the nicotine receptors in the brain to reduce cravings and smoking withdrawal symptoms. It has been shown to help over 44% of people quit within 4 weeks. 
• Zyban: Zyban is a tablet that contains bupropion hydrochloride, a type of antidepressant, that can help you quit smoking by influencing certain neurotransmitters in the brain, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine, to lower the intensity of nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms. 

Cytisine Quit Smoking Pills: Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re thinking of using cytisine to help you quit smoking, you’re not alone. Many people have questions when they first start treatment, such as how it works, potential side effects, and what to expect along the way. Here, we answer some of the most common questions about quit-smoking pills to support your journey to becoming smoke-free.

Does Cytisine Contain Nicotine?

No, Cytisine does not contain nicotine. It is a plant-based alkaloid which binds to nicotine receptors in the brain and mimics its effects, tricking your brain into thinking you’ve had a cigarette. This helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms without exposing you to the harmful effects of cigarettes.

Because Cytisine mimics nicotine’s actions mildly, it can make the transition from smoking to long-term abstinence easier. Unlike nicotine replacement products, Cytisine helps to break the cycle of nicotine dependence, making it a useful option for anyone who wants to quit smoking completely. 

Is Cytisine Addictive?

No, Cytisine is not addictive. Unlike nicotine, it does not give you the same rewarding “high” that reinforces dependence. Instead, by binding to nicotine’s receptors and blocking its effects, cytisine eases withdrawal symptoms and cravings during the process of giving up smoking.

Because Cytisine does not reinforce addictive behaviour, it is generally viewed as a safer and more effective alternative to nicotine replacement therapies. Its purpose is to support you through withdrawal while gradually breaking your body’s reliance on nicotine, making it an effective aid for people who want to stop smoking permanently. 

Cytisine

Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews

Rated 0 out of 5 based on 0 reviews

• Natural origin
• Reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms 
• Short, structured treatment course

• Discreet delivery next working day
• Online prescription - No doctor visit

Prices from £157.99 Review More Prices

Start Order More Info

Get Started

Start Order More info

What are the Side Effects of Cytisine? 

Every medication has the potential to cause side effects, and Cytisine is no exception. Most side effects are mild and go away in time as your body gets used to the active ingredient, but side effects can also be a result of giving up nicotine. If your side effects are difficult to manage or persist, contact your clinician for further guidance.

Very common Cytisine side effects include:

• appetite changes
• weight gain
• dizziness
• irritability
• mood changes
• anxiety
• high blood pressure
• dry mouth
• diarrhoea
• sleep issues
• muscle pain
• being sick

Where Can I Get Cytisine?

Cytisine is only available with a prescription. You can get it on the NHS through your GP or a stop smoking clinician. Alternatively, you can beat NHS waiting times and obtain a private prescription from Prescription Doctor after a brief online health consultation with our clinician.

If your order is approved before 3pm on a weekday, we’ll dispatch your medication in plain packaging via our next-day delivery service, so you can start quitting as soon as you receive it.  

Why Get Cytisine Quit Smoking Pills From Prescription Doctor 

Decided that Cytisine is the right option to help you stop smoking? Great, so that’s one important decision out of the way. The next thing is, where do you get it from? This is where Prescription Doctor can help.

Since we began in 2013, we’ve helped countless individuals beat the habit and enjoy a better quality of life, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Not only do we offer Cytisine and other effective stop-smoking medications, but we also provide a tailored consultation programme to suit your circumstances.

Our licensed clinicians will work with you to determine the best medication for your specific medical background and regularly check in to monitor your progress. We also offer a library of useful information, including a comparison of stop-smoking medications, guidance on social smoking, and a timeline of what to expect when you quit. Whatever you need, you can rely on us to assist.

Ready to get started? Begin your journey with Cytisine quit smoking pills today. 

Authored By

Leanne Edermaniger

Medical Content Writer

Leanne is a science and health content writer focusing on human health and biology while utilising her solid academic background.

Published on: 17/05/2024 Re-Published on: 23/09/2025

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist

Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 23/09/2025