Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) has blossomed in the last 10 years as more and more products become available to help smokers quit. Now you can select from a wide array of NRT products, from gum to patches to nasal spray to pills.

Some groups assert that NRT is not as effective as cold turkey quitting techniques and question the true motives of this now billion-dollar industry. The key to Nicotine Replacement Therapy is that the smoker must also apply smoking cessation techniques to achieve long-term success. Relying on an NRT product as the magic bullet for stopping smoking will doom you to a relapse. In general, if you combine smoking cessation techniques with a Nicotine Replacement Therapy product, you roughly double your chances of quitting smoking. All of the different products have roughly the same efficacy, so don’t be afraid to choose the one that works best for you. If you suffer adverse side effects with one type, try another, or attempt to stop smoking using only the traditional smoking cessation techniques.

Types of Nicotine Replacement Therapy Products

1. Nicotine Patches. These adhesive patches are stuck to the skin, which absorbs nicotine from the patch over an extended period of time, usually 24 hours. The increased nicotine levels in your bloodstream will help reduce withdrawal symptoms and the frequency of cravings. The patches are usually on a step-down program that gradually tapers the amount of nicotine delivered to your bloodstream over a 4-8 week period. It is important to customize your patch program to your individual needs and only step down to a lower level when ready. Do not smoke while using the patch, as this could create a dangerous nicotine overdose. This is true of all Nicotine Replacement Therapy products.
2. Nicotine Gum. This method works very well at managing specific cravings as opposed to reducing overall symptoms since you can pop in a piece of gum anytime you feel the urge to smoke. Be careful to not constantly chew the gum or swallow it, as this will result in an upset stomach. Instead, break the gum up and then park it between your cheek and your gums and leave it there. The nicotine is absorbed through your blood vessels in the mouth. For some, especially heavy smokers, it may work better to combine a patch and nicotine gum - using the patch to help reduce symptoms and the gum to combat specific cravings. A very similar product is the nicotine lozenge, which can be purchased over-the-counter. With both of these products, avoid eating or drinking anything 15 minutes before using them. As with all Nicotine Replacement Products, do not smoke while using nicotine gum, as this could result in a dangerous nicotine overdose.
3. Zyban and Chantix are the only two FDA-approved prescription drugs to help you quit smoking. Zyban is an antidepressant that has been on the market since 1997 and was only recently applied to help smokers quit. Dosages usually begin a week before you plan to quit and continue for 6 -8 weeks afterwards. Chantix is a new drug on the market that works by blocking the receptors in the brain that respond to nicotine, reducing cravings and the pleasure of smoking. It is taken on a 12-week program. Some new studies have indicated a link between Chantix and suicide, so if you are considering taking Chantix, consult with your doctor.