2. What are Nicotine Replacement
therapies?
• Nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) help
people who are in the process of quitting
smoking. They provide the person with the
drug nicotine they crave straight into the
bloodstream without producing the harmful
chemicals smoking cigarettes does. Some
examples of NRT include nicotine
gum, patches, lozenges, inhalers, sprays or
tablets.
3. Nicotine gum
• Nicotine gum comes in two strengths , 2mg and 4mg. If you
smoke 18 or more cigarettes per day it is recommended to
use the 4mg and if you smoke less than 18 cigarettes a day, it
is recommended to use the 2mg gum. For both, you can chew
up to 15 pieces a day.
• It works by chewing it until the taste is strong then resting it
against your cheek to allow the nicotine to pass into your
blood stream.
4. Nicotine gum
• Usually a course of nicotine gum lasts 12 weeks, gradually
cutting down either the chewing time or the number of pieces
consumed in a day.
• Recent studies have showed that people quitting smoking
using nicotine gum are 70% more likely to quit than when not
using any NRT.
• The disadvantages of using nicotine gum are that some
people don’t like the taste and it is not suitable if you wear
dentures/ braces.
• It is available free of charge through a pharmacy, doctor or
local support group.
5. Nicorette Invisipatches
• Most nicotine patches, including Nicorette
Invisipatches, come in three doses; 10mg, 15mg and 25mg.It
is recommended that smokers of 10 or more cigarettes a day
should start on the 25mg patch and reduce gradually.
• The patch is placed on the skin (normally upper arm) and then
the nicotine is released through the skin into the
bloodstream. It equally releases the nicotine over 16 hours.
• Recommended course:
6. Nicorette Invisipatches
• A course of these patches normally last 12 weeks.
• People with skin conditions cannot use them and you can't
use them whilst exercising as they will release nicotine more
quickly.
• They can be prescribed by a pharmacist, doctor or from a
support group.
7. Lozenges
• Lozenges are ideal for people who aren’t strongly addicted. When
you feel a craving coming on you pop one under your tongue and it
dissolved.
• They come in 2mg and 4mg lozenges. Smokers of 20 or more
cigarettes can use the 4mg lozenges. You can use up to 15 lozenges
per day.
• They usually work over a 12 week period, gradually cutting down
how often they are taken.
8. Inhalator
• The inhalator is ideal for habitual smokers who smoke out of
habit. You just breath in like a normal cigarette.
• The inhalator uses 15mg cartridges which provides 40
minutes of nicotine which can be spread out throughout the
day.
• They can be prescribed by a pharmacist, doctor or from a
support group.
9. Nasal Sprays
• These are used by inhaling through the nose. They are for use
when cravings strike. They can be used up to twice every hour.
• This is also normally used over a 12 week period, gradually
decreasing how often you use it.
• These can sometimes be prescribed by a doctor or pharmacist
but because they aren’t as expensive some health
professionals are reluctant to prescribe it free.
10. Micro Tabs
• Micro Tabs work by placing the tablet under your tongue. The
nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the mouth.
• Smokers of more than 20 cigarettes should start by taking one
tablet every half hour and lighter smokers every hour. Up to
40 tablets can be taken per day.
• Normally a 12 week course of tablets are taken. The time
between the tablets are taken is gradually increased so that
you don’t crave nicotine anymore.
11. Zyban & Champix
• These are medications taken by people quitting smoking. They
both work by fooling the brain into believing that the body
has just had a hit of nicotine when they are both nicotine-
free.
• They are usually taken over a 9-12 week course twice a day.
• The advantage of these tablets is that they do not contain
nicotine but a disadvantage is that they are also used as anti-
depressants so when people come off of them, they can
become depressed.
12. E-cigarettes
• E-cigarettes are one of the newest Nicotine Replacement
Therapies. There is however, much controversy and
speculation about their effectiveness. This is mainly because
there are no guidelines or restrictions on them at the
moment.
• They are battery operated and produce a nicotine or
flavoured vapour.
• They are not and probably never will be, prescribed by
pharmacists/doctors.
13. Nicotine Replacement Therapy
• Recent studies have shown that you are four times more likely
to succeed in quitting smoking with the help of a stop
smoking service and nicotine replacement therapies.
• There are lots of different kinds of Nicotine Replacement
Therapy available to people looking to quit smoking but
some methods just don’t work for some people but are great
for others. Most of them are available on prescription from
pharmacies and support groups.
