How do medicines stop smoking?
When you stop smoking, you may initially feel discomfort and crave smoking. This is due to withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms are the reaction of your body as you get used to not having nicotine, the chemical compound in cigarettes that makes you want to keep smoking. Medications to quit smoking help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cigarette cravings.
One Step at a Time Nicotine Addiction Withdrawal System
How does the use of medications to stop smoking benefit me?
The use of these medications can double your chances of quitting forever. They help reduce cravings for smoking and withdrawal symptoms. They can also save you money. Medications to stop smoking are usually used only for a few months. In the long run, you will spend less if you take the medication than if you continue to smoke.
What are the medicines to stop smoking?
The most common smoking cessation medications make up nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). The NRT reduces withdrawal symptoms by giving you lower levels of nicotine, but not the other dangerous chemical compounds found in cigarettes. That satisfies your nicotine cravings and decreases your need to smoke. That way your body gradually gets used to being without nicotine. The NRT options include patches, chewing gum, hard candy, inhalers and nasal spray. Patches, chewing gum and hard candy are sold without a prescription. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using NRT.
There are also other smoking cessation medications that do not have nicotine. These also help decrease withdrawal symptoms and cigarette cravings. These medications are only sold with a prescription. Visit your doctor or pharmacist to talk about your drug coverage plan and to give you a prescription.
Keep in mind that there is no medication that is considered the "best" to stop smoking, because we are all different. Medications that require a prescription are not only for people who smoke a lot or are "better" than medications that can be obtained without a prescription. The medication guide below is a summary of the medications accepted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for people who want to quit smoking. This guide may not include all the medications that are currently available.
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
- Method Availability Description
- Nicotine patches Over the counter sale The nicotine patch is placed on the skin and provides users with a small and constant amount of nicotine.
- Nicotine gum Non-prescription gum Nicotine gum is chewed to release nicotine. The user chews the gum until it produces a tingling sensation and then places it between the cheek and the gums.
- Nicotine hard candies Sale without a prescription Nicotine candies look like hard candy and are placed in your mouth. They release nicotine as they dissolve slowly in the mouth.
- Nicotine inhaler Recipe The nicotine inhaler is a cartridge attached to a mouthpiece. Inhalation through the mouthpiece gives the user a specific amount of nicotine.
- Nicotine hard candies Sale without a prescription Nicotine candies look like hard candy and are placed in your mouth. They release nicotine as they dissolve slowly in the mouth.
- Nicotine nasal spray Recipe Nicotine nasal spray is a nicotine-containing disperser bottle that is applied to the nose.
Other medicines to stop smoking
Method Availability Description
Bupropion Recipe Bupropion, also known as Zyban®, helps decrease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and the urge to smoke. Bupropion can be used safely together with the NRT.
Varenicline Recipe Varenicline, also known as Chantix®, helps decrease nicotine withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. It also blocks the effects of nicotine in cigarettes if the user starts smoking again.
Are you thinking about using medications to stop smoking?
When you decide to use medications to stop smoking, keep these things in mind:
- Even if you have previously tried smoking cessation medications, it is worth trying them again as part of your plan to quit smoking.
- Using medications to quit smoking does not mean you are not strong enough to do it without help. The use of NRT can strengthen your decision to stop smoking and shows that you have decided to quit for your own sake and that of others.
- Regardless of how long you have smoked, quitting smoking can improve your health and your life. Nicotine replacement therapy is a proven method of helping people quit smoking.
- Your likelihood of addiction to nicotine replacement therapy is much lower when compared to your likelihood of addiction to cigarettes. There is less nicotine in nicotine replacement therapy and it is provided more slowly to your body. Using nicotine replacement therapy does not mean you are switching from one addiction to another.
- Read the instructions on the package carefully and speak with a health professional if you have questions.
- Most products for NRT can be used alone or in combination.
- Medications alone can not do all the work. They can help you with cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but they will not completely take away the need to smoke. Even if you use medication to help you quit smoking, sometimes it will be difficult. Using other strategies along with smoking cessation medications will give you the best chance of doing so.