Nicotine Replacement

If you are considering using a nicotine patch, gum, lozenge or any other type of nicotine replacement therapy, you must read this article before you begin. 

30% less than national brands

NTS 3-Step patch is a national brand eqivalent and most prescibed bu Physicians and Pharmcists

Short course of therapy compared to national brand equivalent

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The Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patch is a nicotine transdermal system skin patch containing nicotine, the addictive agent in cigarettes and other tobacco products. Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patch use time released technology for sustained delivery of nicotine for effective, long lasting, craving reduction. When you wear the nicotene patch , nicoderm cq  , it gradually releases nicotine into your bloodstream through the skin. The Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patch works by replacing some of the nicotine which your body has become accustomed to from smoking, reducing the nicotine withdrawal symptoms many people normally feel when they stop smoking. Your own chances of quitting depend on how strongly you are addicted to nicotine, how motivated you are to quit smoking, and how closely you follow a quit program plan.

Understanding How Nicotine Addition Affects Your Mind and Body

As you know, smoking cigarettes is addictive. Your brain and body get used to functioning with a certain level of nicotine when you are smoking. Within a few hours of your last cigarette, your nicotine level drops dramatically, resulting in withdrawal symptoms for most smokers.

Common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include intense cravings for nicotine, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping and increased appetite. Physical withdrawal symptoms usually peak within 24 to 72 hours after your last cigarette, then decline over the next several weeks. Some smokers, however, may experience nicotine withdrawal symptoms for several months. Staying on Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patch for the full 8 weeks can reduce the withdrawal symptoms and cravings you experience and help you quit smoking.

It’s Never Too Late to Stop Smoking 

Most of us recognize the risks of smoking, such as cancer, heart disease and emphysema. We also know that second-hand smoke can harm the people around us. But you may not be aware of the many immediate and long-term benefits of quitting smoking, even if you have smoked for a long time. You can begin to see benefits in the first days and months after quitting smoking.


Great Reasons to Quit Smoking

• Breathing may get easier
• Food tastes better
• Sense of smell improves
• Walking and exercise may become easier
• Reduce the exposure of second hand smoke to your friends and family
• You can save Up to ,000 Per Year*

Whether you’re 34 or 84, your body can begin to cleanse itself and start to repair the damage done by years of smoking.

How to Use the "nicotine patches" Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patch

Great! You’ve made the decision to quit smoking. Now, choose the right Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patch dosing for you based on how much you currently smoke. There are two different starting levels that can help you stop smoking in 8 weeks:

It is important that you read the Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patch instructions and are well-prepared to give up smoking before beginning the patch program. Completing the full program will increase your chances of quitting successfully. Lowering your nicotine patch dosing over 8 weeks will help you overcome physical cravings for nicotine.

If you smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day, begin with Step 1.

  If you smoke less than 10 cigarettes per day, begin with Step 2











By placing a nicotine patch on your skin, you are NOT inhaling the harmful tars, toxins and chemicals found in cigarettes. These are the most dangerous parts of cigarettes. As an added bonus, because you’re not smoking while wearing the patch, there’s no second-hand smoke or odors to affect your family and friends.
You should wear the patch 24 hours a day. This may help overcome your morning cravings for nicotine. However, if you have vivid dreams or other sleep disturbances, you may remove the patch at bedtime and apply a new patch the following morning. The patch should be applied at approximately the same time each day, to a different area of the skin. Do not leave the patch on for more than 24 hours as it may irritate your skin and loses strength after 24 hours.
It is important to complete the 8-week patch program. The FDA recently stated that using a smoking cessation product for longer than 8 weeks in order to quit is safe to do so in most cases. If you feel you need to use the patch for longer than 8 weeks in order to stop smoking, talk to your health care provider. Before using this product, read the enclosed self-help guide for complete instructions.

10 Tips to Help Successfully Quit Smoking

• Tape a list of your reasons for quitting on a mirror. Go over them daily.
• Tell one or two friends and your family. Ask for specific help that you think you will need from each of them.
• Know your triggers and practice your coping strategies.
• Change your routines that involve smoking. For example, don’t sit in your “smoking chair.”
• Know you can save up to ,000 per year by not smoking.* Plan how you will spend all that money.
• Freshen up your environment. On the day before your quit day, clean your clothes, car and any rooms where you spent a lot of time smoking.
• Throw away any remaining cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters the night before your quit day.
• Have plenty of low-calorie snacks available.
• Use the patch as directed.

*Based on the average cost of one pack per day

Warnings

You may have health questions about using the "nicoderm patch"  Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patch. If you do, speak to your doctor about your medical history and your current state of health, including any medications you are taking. Ask your doctor before use if you:

• Are under 18 years of age.
• Have heart disease or an irregular heartbeat, or if you had a recent heart attack. Nicotine can increase your heart rate.
• Have high blood pressure not controlled with medication. Nicotine can increase blood pressure.
• Are allergic to any adhesives or patch ingredients or have skin problems, because you are more likely to get rashes.
• Are using a non-nicotine stop smoking drug.
• Take prescription medicine for depression or asthma. Your prescription dose may need to be adjusted.
• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, only use this medicine on the advice of your healthcare provider. Smoking can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using any nicotine replacement medicine. This medicine is believed to be safer than smoking. However, the risks to your child from this medicine are not fully known.

Stop and ask a doctor if:

• Skin redness caused by the patch does not go away after four days, or if your skin swells, or you get a rash.
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations occur
• You get symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and rapid heartbeat.

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As smokers and ex-smokers, we know what it's like to be bombarded with  quit smoking products or stop smoking programs. Wading through all of the various tools, techniques and smoking cessation products can be overwhelming, especially if you are in the middle of the stressful withdrawal process. So we decided to put together a clear-cut selection of the best quit smoking aids on the market. Just remmeber that this is not a ranked list, you may have to try a few before you find the tool that works for you. So withour further adieu, here is our list:
1. Electronic Cigarettes
E-cigarettes come in two main forms; the first, a nicotine-containing e-cigarette, and the second, an e-cigarette that has no nicotine but still creates the vapor. For individuals who have difficulty with stress when quitting smoking, simply having a non-nicotine-containing e-cigarette can distract enough to get through a stressful situation without smoking. For others, e-cigarettes that include
nicotine can provide a way to get their nicotine fix while minimizing exposure to the many harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, like tar and carbon monoxide. While using a nicotine-based e-cigarette isn't exactly quitting cold turkey, it is a much less harmful way to consume nicotine. And that's why it's on our list as one of the best quit smoking aids of the year.

How to Use E-Cigarettes

The directions for each E-cigarette may vary, depending on the brand you choose. Most E-cigarettes will require you to open the back of the e-cigarette, and load a small nicotine or water vapor cartridge into a cylindrical hole. From there, you replace the cap, and puff on the cigarette as you normally would. Whether you choose to use nicotine or not, you will get nice big plumes of vapor that will help you forget all about your real cigarettes.

2. Nicotine Gum
Much like the nicotine-containing e-cigarette, nicotine gum delivers a small dose of nicotine when chewed. It, too, contains only the gum itself and nicotine. Nicotine gum is helpful to those who wish to be able to deliver a dose of nicotine anywhere, and can help to temporarily reduce the stress of cravings or stressful situations. In the first few weeks after you quit, nicotine gum can help to prevent a relapse while you deal with stress.

How to Use Nicotine Gum

How to Use Nicotine Inhalers

Nicotine replacement therapy (commonly abbreviated to NRT) is a way to give nicotine to the body by means other than tobacco. It is used to decrease withdrawal symptoms triggered by stopping smoking or chewing tobacco cessation.

A nicotine patch is applied to the left arm

Nicotine replacement therapy reduces cravings caused by nicotine addiction in smokers and chewers, helping them quit tobacco use—and thus avoid the harmful effects of smoking and chewing tobacco. The habit of smoking and chewing is both a learned behavior and a physical addiction to nicotine, therefore the use of both nicotine replacement products and counseling may help those trying to quit. The use of nicotine replacement therapy increases the success of initially quitting smoking by 50 to 70%
Nicotine replacement products are on the WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, a list of the most important medication needed in a basic health system.
The United States Public Health Service lists 7 medical agents for the stopping of tobacco, which include 5 nicotine replacement treatments (nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, inhalers, and nasal sprays) and 2 oral medications (bupropion and varenicline). Other NRT options are available, including nicotine mouth sprays and sublingual tablets.
Medical uses of nicotine patch :
Nicotine replacement therapy, in the form of gum, patches, nasal spray, inhaler and lozenges all improve the ability of people trying to quit tobacco products. Studies have shown that nicotine replacement therapy is equally as effective as medications such as bupropion, in helping people quit smoking for at least 6 months. Studies have also shown that each form of nicotine replacement therapy, including nicotine gum, patches, nasal spray, inhalers, and lozenges have similar success rates in terms of helping people stop smoking. However, the likelihood that someone will stick to a certain treatment varied, with compliance being the highest with nicotine patches, followed by nicotine gum, inhalers, and nasal sprays. It is important to note that using a few different nicotine replacement methods in combination may improve one's success rates in stopping tobacco use.Additionally, using nicotine replacement with counseling has been proven to improve tobacco abstinence rates.
Nicotine replacement products are most beneficial for heavy smokers who smoke more than 15 cigarettes per day. There are not enough studies to show that NRT helps those who smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes per day.
Side effects of nicotine patch If you are under 18 years of age, you should consult your physician before starting NRT.
Nicotine exposure during pregnancy can result in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and learning disabilities in the child. It also puts the child at risk for nicotine addiction in the future. Thus, pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding should also consult a physician before initiating NRT. The gum, lozenge, and nasal spray are pregnancy category C. The transdermal patch is pregnancy category D. The transdermal patch is considered less safe for the fetus because it delivers continuous nicotine exposure as opposed to the gum or lozenge, which delivers intermittent and thus lower nicotine exposure.
Mechanism
Nicotine replacement products vary in the time it takes for the nicotine to enter the body and the total time nicotine stays in the body.
Nicotine patches are applied to the skin and continuously administer a stable dose of nicotine slowly over 16–24 hours. Nicotine gum, nicotine sprays, nicotine sublingual tablets, and nicotine lozenges administer nicotine orally with quicker nicotine uptake into the body, but lasting a shorter amount of time. Nicotine inhalers are metered-dose inhalers that administer nicotine through the lungs and mucous membranes of the throat quickly, but lasting a short amount of time. For example, blood nicotine levels are the highest 5–10 minutes after using the nicotine nasal spray, 20 minutes after using a nicotine inhaler or chewing nicotine gum, and 2–4 hours after using a nicotine patch.
Economics
Another concern relates to the fact that people may become addicted to the NRT product and turn back to tobacco products to save money. Typically, the cost of NRT lasting seven days is up to £20 over the counter, whether spray, gum or inhaler, as against £7 to £8 for twenty tax paid cigarettes, or £3 for tax paid rolling tobacco. The cost of cigarettes or tobacco over the same period varies depending on the smoker, while the cost of NRT remains static regardless of the level of nicotine it contains. This leads to the relative cost of NRT versus cigarettes or tobacco being dependent on how much the individual smokes. The British NHS provides help in the form of prescriptions, reducing the cost to £7.40 per script or for free in Scotland, and if several products are included on one script then the price will drop well below that of actual cigarettes or may even cost nothing at all.
Exempted populations
Evaluation of NRT in real-world studies produces more modest outcomes than efficacy studies conducted by the industry-funded trials. The National Health Service (NHS) in England has a smoking cessation service based on pharmacotherapy in combination with counseling support. An Action on Smoking and Health (UK) (ASH) report claims that the average cost per life year gained for every smoker successfully treated by these services is less than £1,000 (below the NICE guidelines of £20,000 per QALY (quality-adjusted life year). However, the investment in NHS stop smoking services is relatively low. A comparison with treatment costs for illicit drug users shows that £585 million is committed for 350,000 problem drug users compared to £56 million for 9 million users of tobacco. This is £6.20 for each smoker, compared to £1,670 per illegal drug user.
The claims for high efficacy and cost-effectiveness of NRT have not been substantiated in real-world effectiveness studies. Pierce and Gilpin (2002) stated their conclusion as follows: “Since becoming available over the counter, NRT appears no longer effective in increasing long-term successful cessation” (p. 1260). Efficacy studies, which are conducted using randomized controlled trials, do not transfer very well to real-world effectiveness. Bauld, Bell, McCullough, Richardson and Greaves (2009) reviewed 20 studies on the effectiveness of intensive NHS treatments for smoking cessation published between 1990 and 2007. Quit rates showed a dramatic decrease between 4-weeks and one year. A quit rate of 53% at four weeks fell to only 15% at 1 year. Younger smokers, females, pregnant smokers and more deprived smokers had lower quit rates than other groups.
In 2015, NRT sales fell for the first time since 2008 while sales for e-cigarettes continued to increase at a substantial rate. This had lead to speculation that UK smokers are trying to quit with e-cigarettes rather than traditional, pharma-backed NRT methods.
Non-prescription nicotine
Snus and nasal snuff also allow for nicotine administration outside of tobacco smoking, but do cause negative health effects.
Electronic cigarettes, also known as vapourisers or electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), are often, although not always, designed to look and feel like cigarettes. They have been marketed as less harmful alternatives to cigarettes, but they are very few are as yet approved as NRTs in any jurisdiction. Some electronic cigarettes have coarsely adjustable nicotine levels. Some healthcare groups have hesitated to recommend e-cigarettes for quitting smoking, because of limited evidence of effectiveness and safety.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has a list of additional tobacco products they are seeking to regulate, including electronic cigarettes.[22] The evidence suggests that the FDA accepted products such as a nicotine inhaler may be a safer way to give nicotine than e-cigarettes.
Trade names

Trade names include Nicotex, Nicorette, Nicoderm, Nicogum, Nicotinell, nicotine lozenge
Thrive and Commit Lozenge.





 

ways to quit smoking : stop smoking timeline

Quitting smoking is difficult, but not impossibleeasy way to quit smoking: 

1. Deciding to Quit Smoking

Determine why you want to quit. Make a list of all the reasons you want to quit. This will help you become clear about your decision to quit. You'll want to refer to this list later, if you're tempted to smoke.

• For example, your list might say something like: I want to quit smoking so I can run and keep up with my son during soccer practice, have more energy, be alive to see my youngest grandchild get married, or save money

Be prepared for nicotine-withdrawal symptoms. Cigarettes are highly effective at delivering nicotine throughout your body. When you stop smoking, you might experience increased cravings, anxiety, depression, headaches, feeling tense or restless, increased appetite and weight gain, and problems concentrating.

• Realize that it may take more than one attempt to stop smoking. About 45 million Americans use some form of nicotine, and only 5 percent of users are able to quit during their first attempt

2. Making a Plan to Quit Smoking - "natural ways to stop smoking"

• Pick a date within the next 2 weeks. This gives you time to prepare and start on a day that isn't stressful, important, would otherwise lead you to smoke

Pick a method. Decide which method you would want to use, like quitting cold turkey, or slowing/reducing your use. Quitting cold turkey means that you completely stop smoking without looking back. Reducing your use means smoking less and less until you've stopped. If you pick reducing your means, be specific about when and by how much you will reduce your use. For example, it might be simple like saying, "I will reduce my use by one cigarette every two days."

• You'll have a better chance of success if you combine counseling and medication with stopping, regardless of which method you choose

Prepare for cravings. Have a plan in advance for when cravings strike. You might try hand-to-mouth. This describes the action of moving your hand to your mouth for smoking. Have a replacement to fulfill this need. Try snacking on low-calorie snacks, like raisins, popcorn, or pretzels, when this urge comes up.

• You might try exercising to combat cravings. Go for a walk, clean the kitchen, or do some yoga. You might also try to control your impulses by squeezing a stress ball or chewing gum when cravings hit

3. Carrying Out Your Plan

Ask for support. Your family and friends can be extra support in your cessation journey. Let them know your goal and ask them to help you by not smoking around you or offering you a cigarette. You can also ask for their encouragement and to remind you of your specific goals when temptation is difficult.

• Remember to take quitting one day at a time. Remind yourself that this is a process and not an event.

Know your triggers. Many people find that certain situations trigger the desire to smoke. You might want a cigarette with your cup of coffee, for instance, or you might want to smoke when you're trying to solve a problem at work. Identify places where it may be difficult not to smoke and have a plan of what you'll do in those specific places. For example, you should have an automatic response for a cigarette offer: “No thank you, but I will have another tea” or “ No - I am trying to quit.”

• Control stress. Stress can be a pitfall when trying to quit smoking. Use techniques such as deep breathing, exercise, and down time to help thwart stress.

Be committed to not smoking. Continue your plan even if you have bumps in the road. If you have a relapse and smoke for an entire day, be sure to be gentle and forgiving with yourself. Accept that the day was tough, remind yourself that quitting is a long, hard journey, and get back on your plan the next day.

• Try to avoid relapsing as much as possible. But if you do, recommit as soon as you can to quitting smoking. Learn from your experience and try to cope better in the future

4.  Using Aids to Quit Smoking

Consider using e-cigarettes. Recent studies have suggested that using e-cigarettes while you quit smoking can help you reduce or quit smoking. Other studies recommend caution when using e-cigarettes since the amount of nicotine varies, the same chemicals as those in cigarettes are still being delivered, and they may re-activate the habit of smoking

Get professional help. Behavioral therapy combined with medication therapy can improve your chances of successfully quitting. If you've tried quitting on your own and are still struggling, think about getting professional help. Your doctor can talk to you about medication therapy.

• Therapists can also help you through the process of quitting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help change your thoughts and attitudes about smoking. Therapists can also teach coping skills or new ways to think about quitting

quit smoking products:

Take Bupropion. This medication doesn't actually have nicotine, but it does help reduce the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Bupropion could increase your chances of cessation by 69 percent.^]Usually, you'll want to start taking bupropion 1 to 2 weeks before you stop smoking. It's normally prescribed in one or two 150mg tablets per day.

• Side effects include: dry mouth, difficulty sleeping, agitation, irritability, tiredness, indigestion and headaches as side effects

Use Chantix. as "stop smoking medications"
This medication curbs nicotine receptors in the brain, which makes smoking less pleasurable. It also reduces withdrawal symptoms. You should start taking Chantix one week before quitting. Be sure to take it with meals. Take Chantix for 12 weeks. Side effects include: headaches, nausea, vomiting, trouble sleeping, unusual dreams, gas, and changes in taste. But it could double your chances of quitting.

• Your doctor will have you increase your dose over time. For example, you'll take one 0.5mg pill for days 1-3. Then you'll take one 0.5mg pill twice a day for days 4-7. You'll take one 1 mg pill twice per day after that

Try nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT includes all types of patches, gums, lozenges, nasal sprays, inhalers or sublingual tablets that have and deliver nicotine into the body. You don't need a prescription for NRT and it can reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms. NRT could increase your chances of quitting by 60 percent.

• Side effects of NRT include: nightmares, insomnia, and skin irritation for patches; mouth soreness, difficult breathing, hiccups, and jaw pain for gum; mouth and throat irritation and coughing for nicotine inhalers; throat irritation and hiccups for nicotine lozenge; and throat and nasal irritation as well as runny nose if the nasal spray is used

where can you go to get information on quitting smoking :

steps to quit smoking :
To quit smoking cigarettes, Beginning to increase your physical activity before you quit smoking may remind you how much smoking slows you down, when you have trouble breathing or start to cough during exercise. When you quit smoking, you can breathe and get around more easily, and nutritious foods such as fruits and vegetables taste better when you are not smoking. Get support and encouragement; talk to a friend when you get the urge to smoke; talk about something other than smoking. Keep your hands busy with doodling, crossword puzzles, knitting, or twirling a straw, pen, or pencil. Positive attitude As you focus on quitting smoking and healing your body, your exercise and eating goals will become easier.
Reduce tension by meditating, taking a walk or a bath, or taking deep breaths. A craving only lasts about 5 minutes. Replace smoking with other activities that occupy your hands and your mouth. Physical activity does not have to be planned exercise; it may include taking the stairs, mowing the lawn, or playing with children. Drink less caffeine; although you may think it will make you feel better, caffeine can worsen the jittery nervous feeling that may accompany nicotine withdrawal. Managing cravings Once you stop smoking cigarettes, it is important to learn how to reduce your cravings for both cigarettes and food.
medication to help quit smoking: If you are struggling or anxious about trying to quit smoking, talk to your doctor about "nicotine replacement" or "stop smoking prescription  such as nicotine gum or a nicotine patch. Snack on fruit or chewing gum to satisfy any sweet cravings Drink less caffeine; although you may think it will make you feel better, caffeine can worsen the jittery nervous feeling that may accompany nicotine withdrawal. Eating a variety of foods each day is a good start, and eating regularly so you never get too hungry. Remember H. To prevent extra snacking as a result of quitting smoking, do not try to quit smoking during a stressful period. These can help prevent a relapse, and nicotine gum has been shown to reduce weight gain. Not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking, but the average weight gain is about 10 pounds. Water retention may cause a deceptive weight gain of up to 5 pounds in the week after quitting smoking, but this is not a real weight gain, and your body will go back to normal. – never let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired.
If you need more guidance, talk to your doctor or dietitian. Try to stay positive, and try not to panic about modest weight gain; if you do gain weight, your healthy habits will help you lose the weight once your body gets back to normal.
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