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Smoking Issues
Quit-smoking Products: Boost Your Chance of Success
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Feb 5, 2019 - 10:37:43 AM
(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Want to stop smoking? Several quit-smoking products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) can help you stop for good.
Using smoking-cessation products can greatly increase your chance of success. Only about 5 percent of people who try to quit tobacco succeed without a quit-smoking product. But more than 30 percent succeed when using one.
Your chance of successfully quitting is even better when you combine behavior therapy with one or more quit-smoking products. You're more than twice as likely to quit smoking if you use prescription medication and professional support than if you try to quit on your own.
Some quit-smoking products are known as nicotine replacement therapy because they contain varying amounts of nicotine. Some of these nicotine replacement therapies require a prescription, but others don't. There are two approved quit-smoking medications that don't contain nicotine, and both are available only by prescription.
Any of these products can help reduce nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms — making it more likely that you'll stop smoking for good.
Although you can buy some quit-smoking products without a prescription, it's best to consult your doctor first. Together you can explore which ones might be right for you, when to start taking them, and possible risks and side effects.
Electronic cigarettes have gotten a lot of attention recently as an alternative way to quit smoking traditional cigarettes. However, more studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation and the long-term safety of these devices.
The nicotine patch is a small, self-adhesive patch that releases a slow, steady amount of nicotine into your body through your skin. You apply a new nicotine patch every day on a hairless area of skin between your waist and neck, such as your upper arm or chest.
The nicotine patch:
The nicotine patch:
If you have certain skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis, you may more easily develop skin irritation if you use the patch.
It's typical to use the nicotine patch for eight to 12 weeks. You may need to use it longer if cravings or withdrawal symptoms continue. Talk to your health care provider if you think you need to use it longer.
Nicotine gum contains a small amount of nicotine. The nicotine enters your body as it's absorbed through the lining of your mouth when you use the gum according to directions.
Nicotine gum is often used in combination with the nicotine patch and other quit-smoking medications. When you first start using nicotine gum, you can use a piece every one to two hours, up to 24 pieces a day.
You must follow a specific biting technique for nicotine gum to work effectively:
Nicotine gum:
Nicotine gum:
Nicotine gum can damage or stick to dental appliances.
Nicotine gum is recommended for up to 12 weeks. You can start by using a piece every hour or two, and then gradually reduce the frequency as cravings and withdrawal symptoms decrease.
Nicotine lozenges are tablets that contain a small amount of nicotine (2 mg or 4 mg). You place a lozenge between your gumline and cheek and suck it slowly, allowing it to dissolve. The nicotine enters your bloodstream as it's absorbed through the lining of your mouth.
As with nicotine gum, nicotine lozenges are often used in combination with the nicotine patch and other quit-smoking medications. You can generally use up to 20 lozenges a day.
Nicotine lozenges:
Nicotine lozenges:
Nicotine lozenges are recommended for about 12 weeks. Reduce the number of times a day you use the lozenges as your cravings and withdrawal symptoms decrease.
The nicotine inhaler is a device that gives you a small dose of nicotine. When you puff on the nicotine inhaler, nicotine vapor is released from a cartridge inside the device. The nicotine enters your bloodstream as it's absorbed through the lining of your mouth and throat.
It's important to hold the vapor in your mouth for a few seconds and then blow it out — don't inhale it into your lungs.
The nicotine inhaler:
The nicotine inhaler:
The nicotine inhaler isn't recommended if you have a breathing condition such as asthma.
Recommended use is six to 16 cartridges a day for six to 12 weeks, gradually tapering to none over the next six to 12 weeks.
The nicotine nasal spray delivers a solution into your nostrils that contains a small dose of nicotine. The nicotine enters your body by being absorbed through the lining of your nose. The recommended dose is one to two sprays in each nostril once or twice an hour.
Nicotine nasal spray:
Nicotine nasal spray:
Nicotine nasal spray isn't recommended if you have a nasal or sinus condition.
Nicotine nasal spray is often used for about three to six months. Recommended use is one to two sprays in each nostril once or twice an hour.
Bupropion (Zyban) is a prescription medication classified as a type of antidepressant. An extended-release form of bupropion is approved for smoking cessation.
Unlike nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion doesn't contain nicotine. It's thought to decrease tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms by increasing the levels of certain brain chemicals.
It takes five to seven days for bupropion to achieve effective levels in the blood. You typically should start taking bupropion a week or two before you quit smoking.
Bupropion:
Bupropion:
In 2009, the FDA required bupropion to carry a warning that some people experienced serious mental health problems either while taking it or after stopping it, including an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, hostility, and depression.
In 2016, the FDA reversed that decision based on the results of a large scientific study that found the risk of these mental health side effects was lower than expected. Thus, the FDA determined that the benefits of stopping smoking appear to outweigh the risk of side effects from the medication.
If you take bupropion, report any changes in mood or behavior to your doctor immediately and stop taking the medication.
Bupropion also isn't appropriate if you have seizures or an eating disorder.
Bupropion is generally used for 12 weeks. But if you've successfully quit smoking, you can use it for another three to six months to reduce the risk of a smoking relapse.
Varenicline (Chantix) is a prescription medication that can help reduce cravings for tobacco and control nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It also blocks nicotine receptors in your brain, which decreases the pleasurable effects of smoking.
It takes several days for varenicline to reach effective levels in the blood. You typically should start taking varenicline a week or two before you quit smoking.
Varenicline:
Varenicline:
In 2009, the FDA required varenicline to carry a warning that some people experienced serious mental health problems either while taking it or after stopping it, including an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behavior, hostility, and depression.
In 2016, the FDA reversed that decision based on the results of a large scientific study that found the risk of these mental health side effects was lower than expected. Thus, the FDA determined that the benefits of stopping smoking appear to outweigh the risk of side effects from the medication.
If you take varenicline, report any changes in mood or behavior to your doctor immediately and stop taking the medication. In addition, varenicline should be used with caution if you have severe kidney problems.
Varenicline is typically used for 12 weeks. But if you've successfully quit smoking, you can use it for another 12 weeks to reduce the risk of a smoking relapse.
The most effective strategy to quit smoking for good is to combine a quit-smoking product with a program that includes support from professionals trained to treat tobacco dependence. Consider joining a community stop-smoking group or starting in-person or telephone counseling.
Call 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) to obtain free telephone counseling services and information about stop-smoking programs near you.
