Nicotine replacement therapy

• Nicotine, when inhaled with tobacco smoke, creates a physical addiction.
• Nicotine withdrawal can result in unpleasant symptoms: craving for cigarettes, irritability, depression, inability to concentrate, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, weight gain, increased appetite.
• Nicotine substitutes replace some of the nicotine that you absorbed while smoking.
• They help reduce withdrawal symptoms and allow you to focus on the behavioural and social aspects of smoking. This canh elp make quitting easier.
• Your chances of giving up smoking are doubled when using nicotine replacement therapy in comparison to using a placebo.
• By giving up smoking you will avoid inhaling tar, carbon monoxide and other toxic gases contained in cigarette smoke.

What types of nicotine replacement products are available?

Patch (transdermal nicotine patches)

• PatchPurpose : The patch is an adhesive plaster containing nicotine. Applied simply and discreetly once a day, the patch diffuses controlled quantities of nicotine through the skin. Ideal for smokers with a regular habit.
• Format : The patch comes in 3 strengths: -15mg-10mg-5mg - or -21mg (strong)-14mg (medium)-7mg (light)-, depending on the brand. The patch is applied in the morning upon waking and must be worn for either 24 or 16 hours. Maximum nicotine levels in the blood are reached 6 to 8 hours after the patch is first applied.
• Directions : Apply patch to a dry and smooth (hairless) area of skin (arm, thigh, chest, hip, shoulder.) Use a new area of skin each day, allowing a one-week period before applying a patch to a previously used area. Patches are waterproof, so showering or bathing with a patch is permitted.
• Duration of Treatment : From 8 weeks to a maximum of 3 months. If strong cravings persist, you may increase the dosage or supplement the use of the patch with another nicotine substitute (chewing gum, lozenge, microtab, inhaler.) The patch is widely available through chemists (packs of 14 pads), or can be prescribed by a doctor.
• Side Effects : The nicotine patch does not cause serious side effects. The following side-effects have been observed in 1 in 5 users, particularly at the start of treatment: reddening of the skin and temporary irritation of surrounding area which disappear within 48 hours of the patch's removal. Rarer side effects include: dizziness, headaches, nausea, lethargy, insomnia, increased heart rate.
• Important: Do not cease treatment prematurely as this will decrease your chances of success.

Chewing-Gum

• Purpose : Nicotine chewing gums release controlled quantities of nicotine in the mouth. That are absorbed directly through the mucous membrane. The nicotine that is swallowed is not absorbed as the liver destroys it. Maximum nicotine levels in the blood (7-8 NG/ML) are reached some 30 minutes after chewing begins, this is a lot slower and a lot lower than the nicotine levels attained through smoking (20-25 NG/ML in about 5 minutes.).
• Format: The nicotine chewing gum is avai)lable in two strengths -4mg for heavy smokers (more than 20 cigarettes a day) and 2mg for moderate and light smokers. Various brands offer a selection of flavours to choose from: mint, lemon, fruit, or original (nicotine). It should be noted that only half the dosage indicated is actually absorbed. For example, only 1mg of nicotine is absorbed by chewing a 2mg piece of gum, the rest stays in the gum.
• Directions:The nicotine gum may be chewed either on a regular basis throughout the day, or intermittently as the craving arises. If craving persists, increase the dosage or supplement the chewing gum with either a patch or a nicotine inhaler. If you smoke less than 20 cigarettes a day, you can save money by cutting a 4mg piece into 2 and chewing only 1/2 a piece at a time.

• Chew slowly: the flavour will appear little by little
• After approximately 10 chews place it between your cheek and gum and let the nicotine be absorbed
• Wait for flavour to dissipate
• Slowly resume chewing (one piece of gum = 30 minutes)

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