Nicotine Replacement Therapy - Nicotine medication

There is a range of different medications and treatments that fall under the umbrella of nicotine medication. Sometimes the words “nicotine replacement” is used because the medication often contains nicotine as a replacement for the nicotine you would usually get from smoking.🚭

Some of the well-known nicotine medications are available as:

• Lozenges
• Oral powder (nicotine pouches)
• Oral spray (nicotine spray)
• Gum
• Micro-tabs
• Nicotine patches
• Inhalers

You decide the dose of your nicotine medication and how often you take it (apart from nicotine plasters) but don’t forget – you’ll experience the most effective and sustainable effects when you take the recommended dose.

You can buy nicotine medication without a prescription if you are 18 and over. Find nicotine medication at your pharmacy, some grocery shops or tobacco shops.

What’s the best way of looking at it? There are lots of different nicotine replacement therapies to choose from. It’s not easy to know exactly which therapy is best for you and your fight against nicotine addiction. It’s an individual choice.

Having difficulty choosing? Start by asking yourself some questions, for example:

• How powerful are my nicotine cravings when I don’t smoke?
• What way of getting nicotine into my body would be best for me?
• Do I have sensitive skin?
• Do I find nose spray uncomfortable?
• Do I have a problem chewing?
• Do I like neutral or strong flavours?
• Do I want a discreet solution that isn’t obvious?
• Would I prefer a quick fix or a long-lasting solution?

Get a feel for what suits you and doesn’t suit you so you can find a method that works best for you as an individual.

Not a fan of gum? Nicotine patches might be the best choice for you.

Do you want a nicotine replacement therapy where you can have something in your mouth? Nicotine pouches, lozenges or oral spray might be best for you.

The easy answer is that medication containing nicotine contains the same nicotine substance as cigarettes, which creates an addiction. But nicotine replacement therapy deals with your nicotine cravings without the harmful toxins you get from smoking.

Receptors in your brain that react to nicotine are the same receptors that make you crave cigarettes and these receptors are stimulated by nicotine replacement therapy in a way that isn’t as harmful to your health. 

When your nicotine cravings are satisfied with nicotine replacement therapy it helps with the withdrawal symptoms.

• You’re less anxious
• It’s easier to concentrate
• You sleep better
• You’re in a better mood
• You don’t suffer from loss of appetite

The body absorbs nicotine replacement therapies more slowly than nicotine from cigarettes, but because nicotine is addictive there is a risk that you can get addicted to nicotine replacement therapy. This isn’t ideal and you don’t want to just swap one addiction for another, but being addicted to nicotine patches or gum is better than smoking, as you avoid the harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke.👍

Nicotine pouches are similar to snus, but without harmful tobacco, just nicotine – the addictive component. You put the nicotine pouch under your lip just like snus for a long-lasting effect that dampens your nicotine cravings.

The pouch is discreet and easy to use wherever you are. The nicotine pouches come in two strengths – 2 or 4 mg and you can buy them at pharmacies or grocery shops. The pouches come in a range of delicious flavours.

Delicious fresh taste. Fast working. Tobacco-free. Easy to use. Nicotine gum has a range of advantages. You regulate your nicotine cravings and get the effect you want by chewing the gum. The gum is discreet and easy to carry in your pocket or bag – always easy to grab when your nicotine cravings start bothering you.

Nicotine gum comes in a wide range of strengths and flavours that you can adapt to your journey to becoming smoke-free. Find nicotine gum at a pharmacy or grocery shop.

Diminish your smoke cravings at the touch of a button. This is how nicotine spray works. Put the clever nozzle in your mouth, direct it towards the inside of your cheek and spray twice. Within a minute you’ll feel the effect on your cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine spray is a modern and effective nicotine replacement therapy that is easy to use, easy to carry and provides fast relief. An extra bonus is the great fresh taste that refreshes your mouth. Buy nicotine spray at pharmacies or grocery shops.

Nicotine patches are one of the most commonly used nicotine medications. It’s easy to understand why. You put the patch on your skin to help you with your cravings to smoke. Your body absorbs a small amount of nicotine throughout the day. Keep your cravings for a cigarette at bay so you can focus on other, more important things.

You can get different sized nicotine patches that have different efficacy windows and amounts of nicotine. This makes it easy to find a patch that works for you. When you’ve attached the patch to your skin you can hide it under your clothes – discreet and practical. 

With a packet of nicotine lozenges in your pocket you’ll be ready when cigarette cravings strike. Use the lozenges in the same way as a normal throat lozenge and feel the effects quickly – within a few minutes you’re over the worst cravings and enjoying the delicious taste so you can get on with your day. Nicotine lozenges are available in different strengths and you can buy them at the pharmacy or grocery shop. Pastilles are perfect if you don’t like chewing gum but love a fresh minty taste. 

Smoking and taking snus while you’re pregnant is dangerous. Nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco can harm the foetus and increase the chance of miscarriage. Nicotine replacement therapy is not suitable if you’re expecting a baby.

Nicotine also passes to breast milk if the mother smokes, uses snus or uses nicotine replacement therapy. The nursing child gets the nicotine along with the milk, which can cause breathing problems, diarrhoea and sleeping issues.

Speak to your doctor about nicotine-free methods to stop smoking that work when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Champix

There are nicotine-free medicines that can help you give up smoking. Champix is one example. Champix contains a substance called Varenicline, which creates a nicotine stimulation with a weaker effect. Varenicline has another effect – it blocks nicotine from being absorbed by your body – so smoking has no nicotine effect on your body.

Zyban

The medication Zyban contains a substance called Bupropion. This helps diminish your nicotine cravings and alleviates withdrawal symptoms. This medication should be taken with motivational support and can sometimes be used in conjunction with nicotine replacement therapy.