Treatment
Quit Smoking Magic
1. Nicorette gum or nicotine transdermal patches relieve withdrawal symptoms. Patients should be prescribed a regimen that provides a tapering dose over a period of weeks.
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Treatments for Smoking Cessation | ||
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Drug |
Dosage |
Comments |
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Nicotine gum (Nicorette) |
2- or 4-mg piece/30 min |
Available OTC; poor compliance |
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Drug |
Dosage |
Comments |
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Nicotine patch (Habitrol, Nicoderm CQ) |
1 patch/d for 6-12 wk, then taper for 4 wk |
Available OTC; local skin reactions |
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Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol NS) |
1-2 doses/h for 6-8 wk |
Rapid nicotine delivery; nasal irritation initially |
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Nicotine inhaler (Nicotrol Inhaler) |
6-16 cartridges/d for 12 wk |
Mimics smoking behavior; provides low doses of nicotine |
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Bupropion (Zyban) |
150 mg/day for 3 d, then titrate to 300 mg |
Treatment initiated 1 wk before quit day; contraindicated with seizures, anorexia, heavy alcohol use |
F. Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol NS) is available by prescription and is a good choice for heavy smokers or patients who have failed treatment with nicotine gum or patch. It delivers a high level of nicotine, similar to smoking. Nicotine nasal spray increases the rate of sustained abstinence. The spray is used 6-8 weeks, at 1-2 doses per hour (one puff in each nostril). Tapering over about 6 weeks. Side effects include nasal and throat irritation, headache, and eye watering.
G. Nicotine inhaler (Nicotrol Inhaler) delivers nicotine orally via inhalation from a plastic tube. It is available by prescription and has a success rate of 28%, similar to nicotine gum. The inhaler has the advantage of avoiding some of the adverse effects of nicotine gum, and its mode of delivery more closely resembles the act of smoking.
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Quit Smoking For Good
Quit smoking for good! Stop your bad habits for good, learn to cope with the addiction of cigarettes and how to curb cravings and begin a new life. You will never again have to leave a meeting and find a place outside to smoke, losing valuable time. This is the key to your freedom from addiction, take the first step!
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