Medicinal Nicotine Replacement Products
Nicotine Replacement Therapy is used to help smokers stop by giving
them a small amount of nicotine into the body.
This will help ease the withdrawal symptoms of smoking.
Some guidelines on choosing the right product for you:
Gum:
Nicotine gum replaces some of the nicotine previously obtained from
smoking but at lower levels. These levels are just enough to help
relieve withdrawal symptoms and to help concentrate breaking the
habit. There are two strengths of gum- 4mg for the heavier smoker
and 2mg for those who smoke less. It is important to use the correct
strength of gum and the correct technique.
Patches:
There are various brands of patch available, some of which are
of varying strengths to help you gradually reduce your dependency on
nicotine.
For information on the patch and on which one you should use, talk
to your pharmacist.
Inhaler
The inhaler consists of a plastic holder and a cartridge, which
contains nicotine.
You can draw on it like a cigarette and nicotine is absorbed through
the lining of your mouth.
Microtab
This is a small tablet, which contains nicotine placed under the
tongue and allows nicotine to be absorbed through the lining of
the mouth.
Nicotine Lozenge
The lozenge should be sucked until the taste becomes strong and
is then lodged between the cheek and gum of the mouth. When the
taste fades it should be sucked again and the process repeated until
the lozenge dissolves, in 20-30 minutes. The usual dose is 8-12
lozenges per day with a maximum of 25 daily.
DO NOT SMOKE WHEN USING NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES
Zyban
This is a non-nicotine medication, which can help some people stop
smoking. This is only available on prescription from your G.P.
Always talk to your pharmacist before using any of these nicotine
replacement therapies.
Keep all nicotine replacement therapies away from children.
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