How Much Do You Know About Nicotine-Replacement Therapy?

Most medicines to help with smoking cessation do contain nicotine. These medicines are called nicotine-replacement therapy. They ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce the craving for nicotine. People trying to quit get a dose of nicotine but not by smoking. People who smoke should use these medicines in smaller and smaller amounts for a few months, then finally stop using them. Varenicline tartrate is an effective smoking-cessation medicine that does not contain nicotine. It may cause sleep disorders, insomnia, and abnormal dreams. Don't drink alcohol while taking varenicline tartrate. It may cause abnormal behavior or aggressiveness.

You should also check with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Check with your provider if you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, asthma, or stomach ulcers.

Over-the-counter nicotine-replacement therapy comes as a patch, gum, or lozenge. Choose the type that best fits your lifestyle and your need for nicotine. You can also get other help to quit smoking. This includes counseling, hypnosis, and acupuncture.

Electronic, or e-cigarettes, have the potential to help adult smokers who are not pregnant if used as a complete substitute for regular cigarettes and other smoked tobacco products. But e-cigarettes are not safe during pregnancy or for youth, young adults, or adults who do not currently use tobacco products. While e-cigarettes have the potential to help some people who are trying to quit smoking, more research is needed. Talk with your healthcare provider to learn more.

Each nasal spray has a certain dose of nicotine. Talk to your provider before using a nicotine nasal spray if you have a nasal or sinus condition, or allergies or asthma. Young smokers also should not use this treatment.

The patches come in different amounts of nicotine. Once you put the patch on your skin, you leave it on for a certain amount of time, such as 16 to 24 hours. As treatment progresses, you use a patch containing less nicotine. The nicotine patch is not a good choice for people who have skin problems or allergies to adhesive tape.

This treatment is a good choice if you crave having something in your mouth. The gum is available in 2-mg and 4-mg strengths. If you have a jaw joint disease, gum disease, or peptic ulcer disease, you may not want to use nicotine gum. You also shouldn't use the gum if you have dentures or bridges. Nicotine gum also can be used along with the nicotine patch.

Bupropion eases withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. Common side effects of this medicine include dry mouth, trouble sleeping, dizziness, and skin rash. Don't use this medicine if you have a seizure disorder or an eating disorder. You also shouldn't use it if you use other medicines that contain bupropion hydrochloride.

You shouldn't smoke while using nicotine replacement. But if you do, don't remove your patch. There's a risk that a person will have 1 cigarette and give up on the replacement therapy, thinking they can’t do both. Consider adding nicotine lozenges and gum to the patch to manage cravings.

Medicine and counseling when used together work better than when either is used alone. Your healthcare provider, dentist, or pharmacist can counsel you on quitting smoking. You can also call a quitline. This is a toll-free number that connects you to a phone counselor. Research shows that you are more likely to quit smoking if you have good social support during the withdrawal process.