Medications
Nicotine Patch
Nicotine patches provide nicotine to your body through the skin. Nicotine patches give nicotine continuously through the day and are easy to use. They can be worn for 24 hours or removed at night when you sleep. Usually the patch is worn for about 12 weeks and the nicotine dose is lowered during this time. Several types and different strengths are available. Instructions are included in the package that describes how to use the product and include possible side effects.
Nicotine Gum
Nicotine gum provides nicotine to the body through the lining of the mouth. It works best if a piece of gum is chewed about every hour but more can be used when you have urges or cravings to smoke.
Nicotine gum is a medication and is not used like regular chewing gum. It has a peppery taste and must be chewed slowly off and on for about 20 to 30 minutes. Don’t drink coffee, soda or other beverages for at least 15 minutes before and during gum use.
Nicotine Lozenge
Nicotine lozenge is a hard tablet that also provides nicotine to the body through the lining of the mouth. You suck on the lozenge until it dissolves and do not bite or chew it like a hard candy. The recommended dose for the lozenge:
Week 1 through 6: one lozenge every 1-2 hours
Weeks 7 through 9: one lozenge every 2-4 hours
Weeks 10 through 12: one lozenge every 4-8 hours
Like the gum you should not drink coffee, soda or other beverages with the lozenge.
Nicotine Nasal Spray
Nicotine nasal spray delivers nicotine quickly and is absorbed through the nose. The nasal spray immediately relieves withdrawal symptoms and offers you a sense of control over nicotine cravings. Because it is easy to use and can deliver a bigger immediate dose of nicotine, smokers report great satisfaction with it. In the beginning, it has the most side effects and can cause sneezing, watery eyes and coughing although these usually stop if you keep using it.
Bupropion
Bupropion is a smoking treatment that does not contain nicotine. Bupropion can be used alone or in combination with nicotine medications to improve your chances of quitting. It is usually a personal choice to use bupropion. Some people are unable to take nicotine or prefer to take a pill medication to help them quit smoking. Bupropion can only be taken with a doctor’s prescription. It is usually started two weeks before the Quit date. It is recommended that you continue taking bupropion for 3-6 months after you quit smoking.
Varenicline (Chantix)
Varenicline is a smoking treatment that does not contain nicotine. Some studies have shown it is the most effective treatment currently available to help people stop smoking. Varenicline tricks your brain into thinking it is still getting nicotine which helps take away nicotine withdrawal. It also blocks the pleasure associated with smoking. Varenicline is not used in combination with nicotine medications. Varenicline can only be taken with a doctor’s prescription. It is usually started one week before the Quit date. It is recommended that you continue taking varenicline for 3-6 months after you quit smoking.
This medication should not be taken if you have a serious kidney disease. Some people get nausea when they take varenicline but this will be less if you take the medication with food.
