Medical Advice for Stop Smoking
It is the nicotine in cigarettes that causes the addiction. However, nicotine replacement products help in smoking cessation. They deliver small, measured doses of nicotine into the body. This helps relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms and thus help people quit smoking.
These nicotine replacement products prevent the person from inhaling tobacco smoke which contains many toxic and cancer-causing substances. Even long-term use of nicotine replacement products is not known to be associated with any serious harmful effects.
All the approved nicotine replacement products are equally effective. They are:
Nicotine Patch is available without a prescription. This patch is changed daily and worn on a different location everyday. It sends a steady amount of nicotine into the body. The nicotine patch comes as pat of an 8-week quit smoking treatment. As the treatment progresses, nicotine doses are gradually lowered. However it is not advisable for people who are allergic to adhesive tape or who have skin problems. In addition, people who experience side effects like vivid dreams must opt to wear the patch only during the day.
Nicotine Gum is an over-the-counter treatment and comes in 2mg and 4mg strengths. A new gum every 1 or 2 hours releases steady amounts of nicotine into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth. The 4mg dose works better for the highly dependent smokers, smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day. However, nicotine gum might not be suitable for people with dentures and bridges or for people with temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) disease. When on nicotine gum, use of beverages like coffee, juice or other acidic beverages must be curtailed.
Nicotine Lozenge is also available without a prescription in 2mg and 4mg strengths. Acting in a similar fashion to the nicotine gum, the lozenge is placed between the cheek and gum tissue and allowed to dissolve, releasing nicotine into the bloodstream through the lining of the mouth. A new lozenge can be sucked every 1 or 2 hours. Consumption of coffee, juice and other acidic beverages must be stopped while sucking on the nicotine lozenge.
Nicotine Nasal Spray is a prescription only drug. It comes in a pump bottle and can be inhaled when the urge to smoke arises. This is the fastest absorbing nicotine replacement therapy. However, this product is not recommended for people with nasal or sinus conditions, allergies, asthma or young tobacco users. Side effects from this product include sneezing, coughing, and watering eyes which usually go away with continued use.
Nicotine Inhaler, also available on prescription only, delivers the vaporized form of nicotine. It is inhaled through a mouthpiece attached to a plastic cartridge but like a cigarette it does not deliver nicotine directly into the lungs. Most of the nicotine is absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth and the throat. Common side effects include throat and mouth irritation and coughing. People with a bronchial problem such as asthma must use this product with caution.
Various nicotine replacement therapies can be combined upon recommendation from a health care provider. In addition, it is advisable to for smokers to quit using tobacco products before starting the use of nicotine replacement products because nicotine overdose can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, weakness and rapid heartbeat.
Non-nicotine drugs that help people quit smoking are:
Zyban® (Bupropion) is approved for the treatment of nicotine addiction. It helps reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms as well as the urge to smoke. It can also be used safely with nicotine replacement products. Some of its common side effects are dry mouth, difficulty sleeping, headache, dizziness, and skin rash. People who are on other medicines that contain Bupropion hydrochloride and people who have been diagnosed with a seizure condition such as epilepsy or an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia must not take this medication. Combining alcohol with Bupropion increases the risk of a seizure.
Champix™ Varenicline is a prescription smoking cessation drug. It helps with quit smoking by easing the withdrawal symptoms and blocking the effects of nicotine if smoking is resumed. Some common Varenicline side effects include nausea, vivid dreams, constipation, gas, and vomiting. People with kidney problems, pregnant women and lactating mothers should not use this drug.
Although Nortriptyline and Clonidine are not currently approved, doctors sometimes do prescribe these drugs to help people quit smoking.
Alternative approaches for stop smoking are:
Hypnosis
Acupuncture
Acupressure
Laser therapy
Electro-stimulation
Some people claim that alternative approaches may help in reducing the symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal. However, clinical studies have not been able to prove this point.