Which NRT or other therapies do I have a choice of using?

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There are many different products on the market available to help smokers to quit. Many of which you can purchase yourself from your local pharmacy, supermarket or even over the internet.

However, to enable any of your local Stop Smoking Services to prescribe them to you they have to be approved and regulated by the Medical & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

Please find below a list of products available and details of the recommended dosage;

If you have any questions regarding any of these products please ask

Nicotine Replacement Therapy;

PATCHES

Treatment period:

Preferable 8 - 16 weeks (at least 4)

Dosage:

25mg, 21mg or 15mg for heavy smokers (20+ cigarettes daily)

14mg or 10mg for lighter smokers (Upto 20 cigarettes)

24 hour or 16 hour patch

Positives:

Very easy to use. Just stick it on at the same time each day (if 24 hours) or take it off just before you go to bed (if 16 hours)

24 hour patches can help with early morning cravings

Clear patch available

Negatives:

24 hour patch may cause sleep disturbance.

May cause skin reaction - worth perservering with though as normally dies down.

GUM

Treatment period:

At least 4 weeks and then whenever you feel the need

Dosage:

4mg for heavy smokers (20+ cigarettes daily)

2mg for light smokers (Upto 20 cigarettes)

10 - 15 pieces a day

Positives:

Easy to regulate dose

Can stop you over eating

Negatives:

Tricky with dentures

Need to use correctly. 'Chew and park' method Chew as and when you need it, not to be chewed as you would a normal chewing gum

NASAL SPRAY

Treatment period:

Up to 8 weeks then reduce gradually over 4 weeks

Dosage:

Once or twice an hour as required (1 spray up each nostril or 2 sprays up each nostril)

Do not use more than 64 sprays in 24 hours

Positives:

Gives fast relief to heavy smokers

Easy to adjust dosage

Negatives:

May cause nasal irritation at first

Dependence more likely

Caution when operation machinery

INHALATOR

Treatment period:

Up to 8 weeks then reduce gradually over 4 weeks

Dosage:

15mg 3-6 cartridges daily (comes in boxes of 4, 20 and 36)

Positives:

Helps keep hands busy

Easy to regulate dosage

Could help prevent over eating

Negatives:

Not so good for heavy smokers

May attract attention in public

MICROTAB

Treatment period:

At least 12 weeks then reduce gradually

Dosage:

16-24 daily for heavy smokers (20+ cigarettes daily)

8-12 daily for lighter smokers (up to 20 cigarettes daily)

Positives:

Can be used discreetly

Easy to adjust dosage

Very few side effects

Negatives:

Need to be used correctly - wasted if swallowed

LOZENGE:

Treatment period:

At least 12 weeks then reduce gradually

Dosage:

4mg for heavy smokers (20+ cigarettes daily)

1 or 2mg for lighter smokers (up to 20 cigarettes daily)

Average 8-12 lozenges daily

Maximum of 15-25 daily

Positives:

Discreet and easy to use

Sugar free

Can help reduce weight gain

Negatives:

May cause initial throat irritation

May cause indigestion

MINI LOZENGES

Treatment period:

At least 12 weeks then reduce gradually

Dosage:

4mg for heavy smokers (20+ cigarettes daily)

1.5mg for light smokers (up to 20 cigarettes daily)

Positives:

Discreet and easy to use

Sugar free

Can help reduce weight gain

Negatives:

May cause initial throat irritation

May cause indigestion

May cause hiccups

MOUTH SPRAY

Treatment period:

At least 12 weeks then reduce gradually

Dosage:

1mg - 1-2 sprays each hour

Positives:

Fast acting

Negatives:

May cause indigestion

May cause hiccups