Overview of Smoking-Related Issues
Quitting smoking is indeed a very challenging task and takes a complete dedication as well as discipline, but with help of quit-smoking medications can your chances of success can be increased significantly. Of course, it is best to have a consultation with qualified healthcare specialist and use the medications from. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved list in order achieve the desired results without causing any harm to your health. According to official statistics, only approximately 5% of people who want to quit smoking, manage to achieve desired results without application of any products or medications. Combination of several stop-smoking medications may increase the chances of success. Needless to mention that prolonged smoking generally results in a number of health problems, reduce the duration of life and may lead to cancer and lethal outcomes.
Types of Stop -Smoking Solutions and Products
Stop-smoking solutions generally can be divided into 2 major groups:
- Nicotine replacement products – including gum, patches, spray, lozenges, inhaler and others. These solutions offer a prolonged treatment therapy that involves gradual reduction of nicotine with help of abovementioned products. Even though certain products come without a prescription, it’s always advised to consult with healthcare specialist before choosing one of them.
- Medications – generally, there are two medications which don’t contain nicotine, and they come under prescription.
Any of those products may aid in reduction of nicotine hunger as well as withdrawal symptoms, while increasing the likelihood of smoking cessation.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become very popular recently among smokers and were deemed as an alternative solution to stop smoking. However, e-cigarettes have not obtained FDA approval yet, hence cannot be officially claimed as a safe solution. Their safety is not acknowledged comparing to nicotine-replacement products. The effectiveness of e-cigarettes has not been officially approved either. On contrary, a lot of people who utilize e-cigarettes as a stop-smoking solution, end up not quitting at all and use both products.
Nicotine Patch
The nicotine patch represents a little, self-adhesive patch, which tends to produce a gradual, fixed does of nicotine inside human body via skin. Nicotine patches need to be renewed on daily basis and applied on a hairless skin area in between the neck and waist (e.g. upper arm or chest).
Advantages
- Comes in different doses;
- No prescription required;
- Simple in use;
- Able to control withdrawal symptoms as well as nicotine cravings within 24 hours after each application;
- Can be applied together with other stop-smoking products
Disadvantages
- Unable to adjust the nicotine amount released inside the body, in case of withdrawal symptoms or sudden cravings;
- May result in skin itchiness, rashes or irritation around the applied area;
- May result in insomnia or vivid dreams;
- Requires replacement every 24 hours
Nicotine Gum
Nicotine gum includes a little dose of nicotine, which is released inside the body during absorption via mouth when taken based on directions. Nicotine gums can be renewed every 1-2 hours with maximum of 24 gums per day. However, you are required to follow a certain biting technique to ensure effectiveness of nicotine gum.
Advantages
- Comes without a prescription in a light and heavy version;
- Able to suppress withdrawal symptoms and sudden cravings for nicotine;
- Can be combined with other stop-smoking products.
Disadvantages
- Requires recurring application during the day to suppress withdrawal symptoms or cravings;
- May result in mouth irritation, heartburn, jaw soreness, nausea or hiccups;
- May cause damage to dental appliances.
Nicotine Lozenge
Nicotine lozenges represent tablets with a little nicotine dose, which are to be placed between cheek and gumline and sucked slowly until dissolved. The nicotine absorbs in bloodstream via mouth lining.
Advantages
- Come without prescription;
- Able to suppress withdrawal symptoms and sudden cravings for nicotine;
- Have mini-lozenges form, which can deliver nicotine quicker;
- Don’t damage dental appliances;
- Can be combined with other stop-smoking products.
Disadvantages
- Require recurring application throughout the day to suppress withdrawal symptoms or cravings;
- May result in mouth irritation, heartburn, hiccups, or nausea.
Nicotine Inhaler
Nicotine inhaler represents a device that releases little doses of nicotine via vapor from a cartridge inside the inhaler. The nicotine absorbs inside the bloodstream via lining of throat and mouth.
Advantages
- Able to suppress withdrawal symptoms and sudden cravings for nicotine;
- Provides with ability to control the dose of received nicotine;
- Can be combined with other stop-smoking products.
Disadvantages
- Comes with prescription only;
- Requires recurring application throughout the day to suppress withdrawal symptoms or cravings;
- May result in irritation inside the throat or mouth;
- Not suitable for patients with breathing conditions, like asthma.
Nicotine Nasal Spray
The nicotine nasal spray releases a solution inside the nose, which contains a little nicotine dose, and absorbs via the nose lining. The recommended dose is 1-2 sprays for each nostril 1-2 times per hour.
Advantages
- Able to suppress withdrawal symptoms and sudden cravings for nicotine;
- Has a quicker performance comparing to other nicotine-replacement products;
- Provides with ability to control the dose whenever required during the day;
- Can be combined with other stop-smoking products.
Disadvantages
- Comes with prescription only;
- Requires recurring application throughout the day to suppress withdrawal symptoms or cravings;
- May result in irritation inside the nose and throat, sneezing, rhinitis, watery eyes or coughing;
- Not suitable for patients with nasal or sinus condition.
Bupropion
Bupropion belongs to prescription antidepressant drugs. The extended-release type of bupropion has been approved as a stop-smoking solution with ability to reduce cravings for tobacco and control withdrawal symptoms via increase of specific chemicals inside the brain.
Bupropion requires several days of continuous application to reach required percentage in the bloodstream. Typically, Bupropion is prescribed 1-2 weeks prior to stop smoking.
Advantages
- Comes in a pill form, which is easy to use;
- Can be combined with other stop-smoking products;
- May decrease the gain of weight experienced by majority of smokers after stopping smoking.
Disadvantages
- Comes with prescription only;
- May result in mouth dryness, insomnia or headache;
- May result in behaviour or mood swings (to be reported to healthcare specialist immediately once observed);
- Not suitable for patients with seizures.
Varenicline
Varenicline represents a prescription drug that aids in control of cravings for tobacco and nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Varenicline is able to block nicotine receptors inside the brain, which reduces joyful effects from smoking.
Varenicline requires several days of continuous application to reach required percentage in the bloodstream. Typically, Varenicline is prescribed 1-2 weeks prior to stop smoking.
Advantages
- Comes in a pill form, which is easy to use;
- Can be combined with other stop-smoking products;
Disadvantages
- Comes with prescription only;
- May result in insomnia, nausea, as well as strange or vivid dreams;
- May result in behaviour or mood swings (to be reported to healthcare specialist immediately once observed).