Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
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Treatment of Smoking (quitting)
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can double your chances of quitting smoking. It works by getting nicotine into your system without the tar, carbon monoxide and other poisonous chemicals you get from tobacco smoke. Its the nicotine that is addictive. So while youre becoming a non-smoker, you can still get nicotine from NRT. Once youre comfortable not smoking, you can cut out the NRT, gradually.
NRT is available as patches, chewing gum, lozenges, tablets that you put under your tongue, an inhaler or nasal spray. Choose whichever suits you best after discussing your options with your GP or counsellor. You can buy products from your chemists, but your GP can also prescribe them to you. You must have a target date for when you will stop smoking before NRT can be prescribed. Its very important not to smoke while youre using nicotine replacement therapy.
Nicotine patches are available in different doses. If you smoke 10 cigarettes or more a day, you may consider starting with the higher dose. You shouldnt use them for more than 12 weeks and you should gradually reduce the dose. They are very convenient but you cant control the dose - say, to get more nicotine quickly when the craving is particularly strong. You can wear a patch just while youre awake or for 24 hours.
Nicotine gum -You can chew this gum whenever you feel a craving. It is available in two strengths. For heavy smokers, the stronger nicotine gum (4mg) seems to work better than the weaker one (2mg). The taste can be unpleasant at first but for most people this lasts only a week or so. It needs to be chewed differently than normal gum, so read the instructions carefully. Tablets You should place these under your tongue. Use one or two tablets per hour depending on how much you smoke. You should not need to take them for more that six months. Lozenges You should suck these every one to two hours. They are available in two strengths – 2mg and 4 mg.
Nicotine inhaler- This is a plastic holder with nicotine cartridges that you put on the end. You draw on it like a cigarette and nicotine passes into your mouth.
Nicotine nasal spray- This is a nicotine solution, which you spray up your nose. You can absorb nicotine through the nose quicker than with the gum or the patch, but it takes more getting used to, and can irritate the nose. Youll need a GPs prescription for a nasal spray.
Bupropion -This is a drug that works by interfering with the chemicals in the brain that cause addiction. You start taking bupropion for 1 to 2 weeks before you plan to stop smoking. Its only available with a prescription from your GP. If you take bupropion, your chances of stopping smoking for at least a year are two and a half times better than not taking it.
Hypnotherapy -Hypnosis is also sometimes used to help smokers to give up although there is no scientific evidence to prove that it is successful.
