I would like to make it thoroughly clear that I do not recommend or endorse any of the products that are mentioned in this article. The following information is provided to simply document those products that claim to help individuals that want to quit smoking. Products that can help relieve some of the withdrawal symptoms that most people experience when they quit smoking are used in Nicotine Replacement Therapies. There are several different nicotine replacement products that are currently available in the United States. Some of these products are available over-the-counter, which include nicotine patches, nicotine gum and nicotine lozenges. The remaining products are only available by prescription, which include nicotine nasal spray and a nicotine inhaler.
Available Product Information
Nicotine Replacement Therapies supply a measured dose of nicotine that will help ease the physical withdrawal symptoms that a smoker experiences when they quit smoking. By doing so, the smoker is suppose to slowly lose their craving for nicotine. Depending on the product and the dosage, this could take 2-3 months. All Nicotine Replacement Therapies agree that a smoker must be motivated to quit or their product will probably not help them.
Note: A smoker should always check with their physician about the specific product they contemplate using and the possible side effects that it might cause before ever purchasing one of these products.
Nicotine Patch - Sold Over the Counter and Generics are Available
8-10 Week Programs
Common Brands: NicoDerm CQ & Rite Aid
Studies have shown that using the nicotine patch can double the rate of success when a smoker quits smoking. The patch provides a steady, controlled dose of nicotine all day. Nicotine passes through the skin and into the body. Typical dosage strengths are 21mg, 14mg and 7mg. The patch resembles a tan or clear square bandage. The size of the patch (usually 1-2" square) depends on the brand and the dosage being used. A new patch is applied each day and is worn for 24 hours. If sleep disturbance becomes a problem the patch should only be worn for 16 hours.
Up to 50% of patients using the nicotine patch will have a local skin reaction. Skin reactions are usually mild but may worsen over the course of therapy. Less than 5% will have to discontinue the patch due to skin reactions.
8 Week Plan...
• 21mg patch during weeks 1-4
• 14mg patch during weeks 5-6
• 07mg patch during weeks 7-8
10 Week Plan...
• 21mg patch during weeks 1-6
• 14mg patch during weeks 7-8
• 07mg patch during weeks 9-10
Dependency: Studies have shown that people do not get addicted to the patch because of the slow release of nicotine and because the chemicals in cigarettes that boost the pleasure of smoking are not present in the nicotine patch.
Nicotine Gum - Sold Over the Counter and Generics are Available
12 Week Program
Common Brands: Nicorette & Rite Aid
Typical dosage strengths are 4mg and 2mg. The smoker should use 4mg unless they smoke less than 25 cigarettes per day, then they should use 2mg. The user must chew the gum slowly until it tingles, then park it between their cheek and their gum. When the tingle is gone, they should begin the process again for approximately 30 minutes. The user should not eat or drink for 15 minutes before chewing the gum. It is recommended that a minimum of 9 pieces of gum be chewed each day. The user should not exceed more than 20 pieces of 4mg gum or 30 pieces of 2mg gum per day, which would become extremely expensive.
Suggested Product Usage
• 1 piece of gum every 1-2 hours during weeks 1-6
• 1 piece of gum every 2-4 hours during weeks 7-9
• 1 piece of gum every 4-8 hours during weeks 10-12
Dependency: More than a third of nicotine gum users continued chewing gum beyond the 12 weeks recommended. It is estimated that 36.6% of current gum users are engaged in persistent use of this product.
Nicotine Lozenges - Sold Over the Counter and Generics are Available
12 Week Program
Common Brands: Nicorette & Rite Aid
Typical dosage strengths are 4mg and 2mg. The smoker should use 4mg unless they smoke their first cigarette more than 30 minutes after waking up, then they should use 2mg. The user must let the lozenge slowly dissolve in their mouth, which takes approximately 20-30 minutes. They should not eat or drink for 15 minutes before using lozenge. It is recommended that the user take a minimum of 9 lozenges each day. They should not exceed more than 5 lozenges in 6 hours and no more than 20 lozenges during any one day, which could become quite costly.
Suggested Product Usage
• 1 Lozenge every 1-2 hours during weeks 1-6
• 1 Lozenge every 2-4 hours during weeks 7-9
• 1 Lozenge every 4-8 hours during weeks 10-12
Dependency: It is thought that the lozenge may create approximately the same dependence as the gum.
Nicotine Nasal Spray (Nicotrol NS) - Available by Prescription Only
3-6 Month Program
Typical dosage strength is 0.5mg. The minimum recommended treatment is 8 doses per day, with a maximum limit of 40 doses per day. The user should not exceed more than 5 doses per hour. Each bottle of spray contains approximately 100 doses (200 sprays). 94% of users have reported moderate to severe nasal irritation in the first 2 days of use. 81% still reported nasal irritation after 3 weeks of use, although rated severity was mild to moderate. Nasal congestion and changes to smell and taste were also reported.
Suggested Product Usage
Spray should be delivered to each nostril 1-2 doses per hour (2 x 0.5mg = 1mg per dose).
Dependency: Nicotine Replacement Therapies with a rapid delivery system have a greater potential for dependence (more than the patch, the gum or the lozenges).
Nicotine Inhaler (Nicotrol Inhaler) - Available by Prescription Only
12-24 Week Program
The inhaler consists of a mouthpiece and a plastic cartridge which delivers 4mg of nicotine from a porous plug that contains 10mg of nicotine. The cartridge is inserted into the mouthpiece prior to use. Nicotine is the active ingredient and the inactive components of the product are menthol and the porous plug. Nicotine is released when air is inhaled through the inhaler (similar to smoking a cigarette). Each cartridge delivers a total of 4mg of nicotine over the total of 80 inhalations, but only 2mg of nicotine is actually absorbed through the lining of the mouth. A dose consists of a puff or inhalation. Best effects are achieved by frequent puffing. 40% of users experienced irritation in the mouth and throat and 32% experienced unexpected coughing. Severity was generally rated as mild and the frequency of symptoms declined with continued use.
Suggested Product Dosage
6-16 cartridges (480 - 1,280 inhalations) per day, which equates to 12mg - 32mg of nicotine being absorbed by the body every day during the first 12 weeks. The dosage should be gradually lowered during last 6-12 weeks.
Dependency: Nicotine Replacement Therapies with a rapid delivery system have a greater potential for dependence (more than the patch, the gum or the lozenges).
It’s a known fact that smokers are addicted to nicotine. It makes no sense what-so-ever to use a nicotine replacement to eliminate their nicotine addiction. That only leaves one other possibility, to quit "Cold Turkey." To do so, the smoker will need to be mentally prepared if they hope to succeed in their quest to become a non-smoker.
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Contributor's Note
Let me help you to become mentally prepared so you can quit smoking.
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