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Medicines can reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms or the risk of returning to substance use, but the right option depends on the substance, current use, other medicines and the person’s health.

Champix

Varenicline

0.5 · 1mg

Varenicline 0.5mg and 1mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of smoking cessation. A partial agonist at alpha-4-beta-2 nicotinic receptors.

From$2.21/ tabletView

Wellbutrin SR

Bupropion

150mg

Wellbutrin SR is bupropion 150mg in a modified-release tablet for tobacco dependence and major depression, a weak reuptake inhibitor of two amines.

From$1.12/ tabletView

Zyban

Bupropion

150mg

Bupropion 150mg prolonged-release tablets, used in the management of smoking cessation. It antagonises the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

From$1.11/ tabletView

Antabuse

Disulfiram

250 · 500mg

Disulfiram 250mg and 500mg tablets, plain and effervescent, used in the management of alcohol dependence. It blocks the enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase.

From$0.62/ tabletView

Bupron SR

Bupropion

150mg

Bupron SR is bupropion 150mg in a prolonged-release tablet, used in the management of tobacco dependence. A weak noradrenaline and dopamine reuptake inhibitor.

From$1.06/ tabletView

Revia

Naltrexone

50mg

Naltrexone 50mg film-coated tablets, used in the management of alcohol dependence and opioid dependence. A competitive opioid receptor antagonist.

From$4.45/ tabletView

Wellbutrin

Bupropion

150 · 300mg

Bupropion 150mg and 300mg modified-release tablets, used in the management of major depression and tobacco dependence. An aminoketone antidepressant.

From$1.06/ tabletView

Campral

Acamprosate

333mg

Acamprosate 333mg gastro-resistant tablets, used in the management of alcohol dependence. An NMDA modulator that steadies excitatory signalling.

From$0.86/ tabletView

Contrave

Bupropion, Naltrexone

8/90mg

Contrave pairs bupropion with naltrexone in a prolonged-release tablet for obesity, acting on the appetite and reward centres of the brain.

From$2.11/ tabletView

Key points

  • Stop-smoking medicines include varenicline and bupropion; behavioural support can improve the chance of quitting.
  • Naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfiram have different roles in alcohol dependence and are not interchangeable.
  • Alcohol or opioid withdrawal can require supervised care; suddenly stopping some substances without medical support can be dangerous.

Listings are for comparison and general information, not a treatment recommendation; suitability and supply depend on clinician and pharmacy checks, prescription requirements and stock.

How the medicine groups differ

Stop-smoking medicines work in different ways to reduce nicotine cravings or withdrawal. Alcohol-dependence medicines may reduce reward, support abstinence or cause an unpleasant reaction with alcohol. Some medicines used for alcohol dependence also have a role in opioid dependence, but starting them at the wrong time can precipitate withdrawal.

What these medicines are used for

This category covers treatment for tobacco dependence, alcohol dependence and opioid dependence. Medication is usually one part of a broader plan that may include counselling, peer support and follow-up.

Important safety checks

A clinician may need to review current substance use, withdrawal history, mental health, pregnancy, liver or kidney function and possible medicine interactions. Do not use someone else’s medicine or combine treatment with alcohol, opioids or sedatives unless the prescriber has confirmed that it is safe.

When to seek urgent care

Get urgent help for severe confusion, hallucinations, seizures, breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness or thoughts of self-harm. Suspected overdose or severe alcohol withdrawal is a medical emergency.

Further reading