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Stop Smoking Medication

Eight Important Things to Know!

Stop Smoking Medications have been shown to double your chances of quitting smoking.

Stop Smoking Medications are not a magic cure, and don’t completely replace cigarettes and other tobacco products, but will help with the cravings and withdrawal.

Stop Smoking Medications help to reduce withdrawal symptoms like irritability, depression and cigarette cravings, but don’t eliminate them completely.

To become a non-smoker, it is best that you use a Stop Smoking Medication properly (the right amount for the right length of time). Follow the instructions on the package or those given to you by your doctor or pharmacist.

Stop Smoking Medications help to reduce nicotine cravings but should still be used along with a stop smoking plan (see Making Plans)

Nicotine Replacement Therapies do put nicotine into your body, but in a way that is slower and less satisfying so that these therapies are not as addictive (if at all) as cigarettes.

Nicotine Replacement Therapies do contain nicotine but do not contain tar and carbon monoxide like cigarette smoke does. There is no evidence that Nicotine Replacement Therapies cause cancer.

Very few people become addicted to Nicotine Replacement Therapies but some ex-smokers continue to use these therapies because they are afraid that if they stop they will return to smoking.

Adapted from: Raw M, McNeill A, West R. Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Health Professionals, A guide to effective smoking cessation interventions for the health care system. Thorax 1998 (Dec); (suppl 5); S1-S18.

Comparing Stop Smoking Medications

	Stop Smoking Medications
	Nicotine Replacement Therapy		Anti-Depressant
	Nicotine Patch	Nicotine Gum	Zyban (nicotine free)
What is it?	An adhesive patch that releases a small amount of nicotine into the body at a constant rate throughout the day	A chewing piece that releases nicotine into the blood by being absorbed through the skin inside the mouth	An antidepressant-like medication that comes in a pill and can help remove some of the cravings for a cigarette
How do you use it?	Stick it somewhere on your upper torso (different place from day to day) and wear continuously for 24 hours.	Take one piece and bite it until a peppery taste appears than place it in between your lip and gum and leave it for one minute. When the taste disappears, bite it a few times and store it in your cheek again. Continue this for about 30 minutes and then throw the piece away.	Take as prescribe by physician
Where do I get it?	Over the counter in a drug store	Over the counter in a drug store	Must be prescribed by a physician
When do I start?	On the morning of your quit day	On your quit day use a piece when you have a craving (about 1 piece every 1 to 2 hours)	2 weeks before your quit day
When do I stop?	8 to 12 weeks (longer if necessary) Gradually switching to lower dose patches	After several weeks or months depending on your level of nicotine dependence	7 to 12 weeks (longer if necessary)
Side effects?	Skin reaction where you stick the patch, disturbed sleep, nightmares (sometimes reduced if patch removed overnight)	Burning throat, hiccups if chewed too quickly, dental problems	Dry mouth, insomnia
Check with your doctor if…	You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an unstable medical condition like angina, or heart disease	You are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an unstable medical condition like angina, or heart disease	If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a seizure disorder, have had an eating disorder, take MAO inhibitors
Advantages	Only need to apply it once a day and it controls cravings for 24 hours. Can delay some weight gain.	You can control how much nicotine you get and when you get it. Satisfies the oral craving and can delay some weight gain	Inexpensive, and helps to relieve any depression. Can delay some weight gain.