Using Nicotine Replacement Therapy to Quit Smoking

Imagine – You’re greatly motivated to quit smoking, so you’ve finally decided to bin your last pack. You manage well for an hour and two, but after half a day, the strong urges hit and make you want to buy another pack of 20s. 

The absence of smoking (particularly the nicotine) can make you feel like bursting, leaving you irritable, depressed, and confused.

It’s okay and very common to feel this way, especially when you’re just starting out. Fighting the urge to light a cigarette can feel like an uphill battle during your first two weeks if you’re going cold turkey. 

To ease your frustration and cravings, you can look into using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), which involves products designed to aid smokers who are challenged and overwhelmed by withdrawals and cravings.

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NRT has played a key role in helping many smokers finally quit the habit. According to a study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences, NRT products have helped smokers increase their chances of quitting by 50-70%. 

In this article, we will learn about how NRT works, how to use NRT for smoking cessation, the types of NRT available, and some of their potential side effects.

How Does Nicotine Replacement Therapy Work?

By now, you probably know that nicotine is the chemical your body absorbs when you smoke, and it’s the reason cigarettes are so addictive.

If you’ve been a regular smoker for a while, your body gets used to a steady supply of nicotine. So, when that supply is suddenly cut off, it can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms.

It’s a bit like how you’d feel if something you rely on to make your day better suddenly disappears.

This is where nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) comes in. These products provide a small dose of nicotine to ease the symptoms of withdrawal, like strong cravings, irritability, or restlessness.

To get the most out of NRTs, it’s important to follow the dosing schedule carefully. This can help reduce cravings and make quitting more manageable, giving you a higher chance to quit the habit permanently.

How to Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation

Most NRT products can be bought over the counter, but it’s best to go through a quit programme with a GP or counsellor to get the right dosage for your needs.

Your GP will recommend a tailored dosing schedule based on factors like how many cigarettes you smoke daily. NRT products work best when taken at the prescribed times and dosages.

Without professional guidance, you might not use them effectively, which could make managing cravings and withdrawal harder.

Types of NRT Products

Across the country, there are five main types of NRT products that you’ll often find available for sale. Most of these can be bought without a prescription.

That said, it’s not always best to go it alone. We strongly recommend working with your GP as part of a counselling programme if you want to make the most of your NRT.

Without the right guidance, it can be harder to succeed in your journey to quit smoking.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each product, how it works, and the best way to use them.

Nicotine Gum/Lozenge

Nicotine gums and lozenges, available over the counter, contain small doses of nicotine to help with withdrawal symptoms. 

For best results, talk to your GP to know how often you should use them as part of your quitting plan. 

Keep in mind that drinks like coffee, tea, and soft drinks can affect their effectiveness. Ideally, wait after consuming acidic drinks before using the gum or lozenges.

Nicotine Inhaler

Nicotine inhalers work a bit like cigarettes, giving you a small dose of nicotine but without all the harmful chemicals.

They just help curb cravings and also satisfy that hand-to-mouth habit many long-time smokers miss. 

You might notice a bit of irritation or coughing at first, but this usually settles down in a few days. 

To get better results, you can use inhalers alongside nicotine patches. Just don’t forget to check it with your GP to get the right balance.

Nicotine Nasal Spray

Some ex-smokers might prefer reducing their withdrawal symptoms by spraying it through their nasal cavities. 

Typically, nasal sprays are applied in each nostril. We recommend going through the product’s instructions to use them properly because it takes some practice to do it correctly.

Within 5-10 minutes of spraying the right dosage, you may start to feel relaxed as your withdrawal symptoms and cravings gradually dissipate. 

As it is sprayed in your nose, you might feel some irritation around your throat, nose, and eyes. This can disappear within a week after you start using them. If it doesn’t, discontinue using the product and consult your GP for alternatives.

Nicotine Patch

These patches contain a small dose of nicotine that is absorbed by your body through the skin, which can help to reduce your urge to smoke.

After you put them on a hairless spot on your body, you can forget about them until you have to replace them again after 24 hours.

Because these patches are available in varying dosages, a GP can help you find the most suitable product.

Nicotine Vaping Products (NVPs)

You’ve likely heard of nicotine vaping products, also known as ‘NVPs’. Unfortunately, you’ve most likely seen them in illegal online advertisements, being sold illegally in a shop, or have possibly noticed a large cloud emanating from a passerby.

It’s important to note that there are responsible, high quality and discreet medical NVPs available in your local pharmacy, and these should not be confused with the thousands of illegal and unsafe imports currently being used widely across the country.

In Australia, legal NVPs are only available through pharmacies under a GP’s prescription.  Keep in mind that any NVP sold outside pharmacies is illicit and may contain dangerous chemicals and harmful levels of nicotine.

According to a review in Cochrane, strong evidence suggests smokers are more likely to stop smoking after six months by using NVPs over NRTs. The review also mentions that only NVPs with carefully measured nicotine levels had decreased the likelihood of patients going back to smoking.

NVPs are second-line products designed to aid you if NRT products have proven unsuccessful in helping you quit. 

Even if it is not a front-line quit smoking aid, there is now high-certainty evidence that NVPs are more effective than NRT in helping people quit smoking.

Side Effects of Nicotine Replacement Products

NRT products feel like a cure-all, right? They can give a massive relief from strong withdrawals, but be prepared for some potential discomfort when you first start using them. 

Some patients have reported experiencing headaches and nausea after going through NRT. Some have also reported issues with digestion and sleep disruptions.

Don’t be alarmed. In most cases, NRT product side effects disappear after a few days to a week. 

But in case you still feel discomfort after a few days have passed, you can consult with your GP to get an alternative more suited to your needs.

Can I Also Use Nicotine Pouches for Smoking Cessation?

We didn’t list nicotine pouches as NRT tools because they’re unproven to be more effective than the latter. These products contain nicotine salts, sweeteners, and plant-based fibres to mask the flavour of nicotine. They’re placed between the cheek and gum throughout the day to supply nicotine.

Unfortunately, with the lack of studies on nicotine pouch effectivity, it’s much better to use the NRT tools listed above. You can speak and learn more if it can work for you by talking to a GP on your smoking cessation journey.

Is NRT Enough to Quit Smoking?

Admittedly, NRT only helps you alleviate withdrawal symptoms. If you have an emotional or social dependence on smoking, you may need to address this in a different way — such as by finding new hobbies, a quit mate, or recognising there are better ways to satisfy your emotional or social needs without nicotine or smoking.

Again, a stop-smoking GP can help you understand your connection to nicotine and smoking once you’ve finally rid yourself of withdrawal symptoms but still have a strong urge to smoke.

Summary

Now that you know what NRT products are and how to use them, you have the best chance to stop smoking. NVPs are currently only available from local pharmacies, while gum, lozenges, patches, nasal sprays and inhalers are also available in most supermarkets. 

Sometimes, your preferred NRT option doesn’t work how you want it to. You might experience an irritation that doesn’t go away. When this happens, feel free to ask your GP for alternatives.

If NRT also doesn’t help you stop smoking, consult with a GP to see if NVPs available from pharmacies may be something you can consider. 

You’re probably here because you want to learn more about how NRTs can help you weaken your smoking urges. This is the best place to learn more about it and to get reliable information on quitting.

Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around! 

If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good.

Link Reference

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5003586/
• https://www.cochrane.org/news/latest-cochrane-review-finds-high-certainty-evidence-nicotine-e-cigarettes-are-more-effective
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8887571/