Introduction
This information will help you understand your choices,
whether you share in the decision-making process or rely on your doctor's
recommendation.
Key points in making your decision
In the past,
the only way to quit smoking was "cold turkey." Today, you have the option of
using nicotine replacement products that can make the process easier. This
information also applies if you use spit tobacco products, such as chew or
snuff, or if you smoke cigars or pipes. Consider the following when making your
decision:
- Studies show that using nicotine replacement
products to quit smoking can double your chance of
success.1
- The reason many people go back
to smoking is because of
nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement
products help relieve these symptoms.
- Some people who use nicotine
patches develop itching and redness on their skin where they applied the
patch.
- Some insurance companies will pay for all or part of the
cost of nicotine replacement products used to quit smoking.
- If you
smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, you may not need these medicines.
Medical Information
What is nicotine replacement therapy?
Nicotine
replacement therapy (NRT) helps reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms and
cravings by supplying your body with nicotine. It contains about one-third to
one-half the amount of nicotine found in most cigarettes.
There
are many forms of nicotine replacement products to choose from:
- Nicotine gum and
lozenges release nicotine slowly into the
mouth.
- Nicotine patches stick to your skin
and slowly release nicotine through your skin into your
bloodstream.
- The nicotine inhaler has a
holder that contains nicotine. It delivers a puff of nicotine vapor into your
mouth and throat.
How can using nicotine replacement therapy help me quit smoking?
When you stop smoking, your body will begin to
crave the nicotine it used to get from cigarettes.
Some people have severe withdrawal symptoms when they stop using tobacco. You
may feel grouchy and on edge. These withdrawal symptoms, and others, can make
it very difficult to quit. In fact, many people return to smoking just to get
rid of the withdrawal symptoms.
Using nicotine replacement
products can ease your withdrawal symptoms. This makes it easier for you to
quit smoking and avoid a relapse.
If you need more information, see the the topic
Quitting Smoking.
Your Information
Your choices are:
- Using a form of nicotine replacement
therapy.
- Not using nicotine replacement therapy.
The decision about whether to use nicotine replacement
therapy to help quit smoking takes into account your personal feelings and the
medical facts.
Deciding about nicotine replacement therapy | Reasons to use nicotine
replacement therapy to quit smoking | Reasons not to use nicotine
replacement therapy to quit smoking |
|---|
- You smoke more than 10 cigarettes a
day.
- You have withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches, insomnia, and
grouchy behavior, when you go too long without a cigarette.
- You
have tried to quit in the past without using nicotine replacement therapy and
started smoking again.
- You can get nicotine gum, lozenges, and
patches without a prescription.
- You think a nicotine inhaler might
work for you because you still need to hold something in your
hand.
- You like the idea of putting on a patch in the morning and
forgetting about it until bedtime.
Are there other reasons you might want to use
nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking? | - You smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a
day.
- You have sensitive skin that may have a reaction to the
adhesive in the nicotine patch.
- You cannot use a nicotine inhaler
because you have asthma, allergies, or another breathing
problem.
- You are younger than 18.
Are there other reasons you might not want to use
nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking? |
These
personal stories may help you make your
decision.
Wise Health Decision
Use this worksheet to help you make your decision.
After completing it, you should have a better idea of how you feel about using
nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking. Discuss the worksheet with your
doctor.
Circle the answer that best applies to you.
| I am ready to quit smoking. | Yes | No | Unsure |
| I don't want to quit smoking "cold turkey." | Yes | No | Unsure |
| I'm ready to ask my doctor about nicotine
replacement therapy. | Yes | No | Unsure |
| I'm not ready to quit nicotine, but I think I can
stop smoking using nicotine replacement products. | Yes | No | Unsure |
| I want to use some form of nicotine replacement
therapy when I quit smoking. | Yes | No | Unsure |
Use the following space to list any other important
concerns you have about this decision.
What is your overall impression?
Your answers in
the above worksheet are meant to give you a general idea of where you stand on
this decision. You may have one overriding reason to use or not use nicotine
replacement therapy to quit smoking.
Check the box below that
represents your overall impression about your decision.
Leaning toward using nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking | | Leaning toward NOT using nicotine replacement therapy to quit smoking |
Return to the topic
Quitting Smoking.
References
Citations
Talwar A, et al. (2004). Pharmacotherapy of tobacco
dependence. Medical Clinics of North America, 88(6):
1528–1529.
Last Updated: July 24, 2007 