Quitting may not be easy. Tobacco products are addictive so sometimes it
is easier to quit smoking with help.
Medical products are available that can double your chances of success.
Methods of quitting are varied. Some people go cold turkey, some people use
nicotine replacement therapies, some attend groups and others use inspirational
aids like acupuncture, meditation or tapes. Choose what works best for you.
Here are some options:
What type of medical products are available?
Medical products shown to be successful are:
- Nicotine Replacement Therapies: tablet, patches, gum, lozenge and inhaler;
All nicotine replacement therapies are available without prescription over the counter in your
local pharmacy and some are available in other outlets such as supermarkets and service stations.
- Bupropion - (Bupropion, Clorprax, Prexaton, Zyban SR)
This medication needs to be prescribed by a doctor.
- Varenicline (Champix)
This medication needs to be prescribed by a doctor.
Correct usage of these products has been shown to double the chances of stopping
smoking among heavy smokers.
If you have recently had a heart attack, are pregnant, or you are breast-feeding,
talk to your doctor before using these products.
How does Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) work?
NRT works by replacing the nicotine obtained from cigarettes with nicotine
delivered by the gum, patch or inhaler, but without the huge number of toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke that cause the vast majority of health damage from smoking.
- The gum, lozenge or tablet slowly deliver the nicotine through the lining of the mouth
- The patch slowly delivers the nicotine through the skin
- The inhaler delivers the nicotine a little faster through the lining of
the mouth.
Because these products deliver a constant low dose of nicotine compared to
cigarettes they:
- Reduce your body's addiction to the nicotine in cigarettes; and
- Reduce symptoms of withdrawal eg: cravings and anxiety.
How to use NRT?
For all smokers who smoke within 30 minutes of waking up, or more than 10 cigarettes per day, it is recommended that high
dose NRT is used.
Gum: Chew a few times until the taste becomes strong or there is a tingling sensation. Put the gum alongside your cheek or gum for a few minutes until the taste/sensation fades. Repeat the process for around 30 minutes. Nicotine gum doesn't work properly if chewed like normal gum because too much nicotine is released at once, which you will end up swallowing.
Use gum regularly, for example, one piece per hour; Gum is NOT to be chewed
like regular gum but used as an oral patch.
Patches: Apply to clean, dry, smooth skin on arm or upper body, in the
morning; Choose a different site each day to avoid skin rash.
Inhaler: A plastic tube which looks a bit like a cigarette into which a nicotine cartridge is inserted. Nicotine is absorbed in the mouth, like the gum and the lozenge. The inhaler needs to be sucked continuously for around 20 minutes for full effect.
Lozenge: Allow to dissolve in the mouth, which takes around 30 minutes. Don’t swallow or chew the lozenge or it won’t work.
Tablet: Place under the tongue (the tablet is small) and allow to dissolve over 30 minutes. Because the tablet only comes in a lower 2mg dose, two tablets can be used at once if required.
The gum, lozenge, inhaler and tablet should all be used regularly over the course of the day, every hour or so.
Your chances of success rates may be further increased by starting nicotine while still smoking for a limited period before your quit date. Two specific programs for doing this have been approved in Australia – contact your pharmacist, doctor or the Quitline (137 848) for more information.”
To work properly NRT should be used for a minimum of seven weeks.
Some smokers confuse symptoms of withdrawal from tobacco with the side effects
of NRT. They may become tense, agitated, depressed, have disturbed sleep or
crave cigarettes when using NRT. These can be symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
This can happen when the nicotine from the NRT has not properly replaced
the nicotine from cigarettes. Different types of NRT can be combined to enhance
quitting success, for example patch plus gum or patch plus inhaler.
Some people experience side effects, but these are usually mild. If you are
concerned talk to your doctor.
What prescription medications are available to quit smoking?
- There are two main prescription medicines which have been shown to help people stop smoking, Bupropion (trade names Bupropion-RL, Clorprax, Prexaton, Zyban SR) and Varenicline (trade name Champix). Neither medication contains nicotine, but each works via similar brain chemicals to nicotine.
- Both medications are available cheaply because they are subsidised by the government via the pharmaceutical benefits scheme. Each medication may be unsuitable for some people.”
Other strategies
See
Quit Tips
Things to remember
- Many ex-smokers have made several attempts before they quit for good.
- Planning will improve your chance of success.
- The health benefits of quitting start within two hours of giving up.
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