Nicotine is a kind of addictive drug found in the tobacco used in cigarettes. It gets into the bloostream, stimulating the brain. This stimulation has a relieving effect and hence smokers get addicted to this nicotine in the form of cigarettes.
For a regular smoker, undergoing quit smoking program, when the level of nicotine in blood falls, withdrawal symptoms like irritability, restlessness, inability to concentrate, dizziness, increased appetite and nicotine craving develop.
These symptoms worsen if not relieved immediately with a cigarette. Thus the method of Cold Turkey of quitting smoking abruptly is usually not prescribed for them.
To avoid the withdrawal symptoms occuring from Cold Turkey method, Nicotine Replacement Therapy comes as an aid.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) makes use of certain things which act as nicotine substitute, these include
1. Nicotine Gum:
Using Nicotine Chewing Gum is an effective and widely used method for quitting smoking. Nicotine gum helps you quit smoking by providing you with a source of nicotine apart from smoking. Nicotine gum keeps your mouth busy. It can help satisfy cravings quickly that helps you to STOP SMOKING.
It comes in 2 different strengths usually 4mg or 2mg of nicotine per piece, which you choose from based on how much you smoke. 2mg Nicotine Gum is recommended for those who smoke less than 20 cigarettes a day and 4 mg Nicotine Gum for those who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day. Nicotine Gum is made of a special chemical called POLACRILEX. To release nicotine from the gum, chew the gum until it gives a peppery taste or when you feel a tingly sensation in your mouth.
2. Nicotine Patches:
Most medicines used for quitting smoking are taken orally. The intervals between their dosages may be inconvenient. Some drugs may get partly destroyed or neutralized in the stomach, intestine or liver before reaching the bloodstream. Hence a higher dose of the drug will be needed to ensure efficacy, which in turn may increase the risk of side effects.
To counter these limitations, drug companies have introduced patches. Unlike oral medicines, drug patches release the active compounds directly into the blood. By avoiding the gastrointestinal system, the drug is less likely to cause nausea and other side effects.
3. Nicotine Lozenges:
Lozenges are also effectively and widely used as a method to quit smoking. Lozenge is actually a tablet to be dissolved in the mouth. It reduces withdrawal symptoms including craving, associated with quitting smoking, by providing temporary source of nicotine.
Nicotine is released into the mouth as the Lozenge dissolves over a 20-30 minutes period. 2mg Nicotine Lozenge is recommended if you smoke your first cigarette more than 30 minutes after waking up and 4mg Nicotine Lozenge is recommended if you smoke your first cigarette within 30 minutes after waking up.
4. Nicotine Tablets:
These are just like Lozenges. Have to be kept in the mouth and release constant supply of Nicotine thus relieving Nicotine craving effect.
5. Nicotine Inhalers:
It comes with a cartridge to be inserted into the inhaler. It has to be inhaled just like a cigarette. A single cartridge longs for 3 sessions of about 20 minutes. Its use should be gradually reduced over a period of time.
6. Nicotine Nasal Sprays:
These Nicotine Sprays are also to be inhaled from the nose. These provide a direct supply of Nicotine into the bloodstream from the nose. It has some side-effects like irritation of throat, eyes, sneezing and coughing.