NRT

NRT or nicotine substitutes or nicotine replacement therapy provides nicotine minus the other detrimental chemical substances present in tobacco. Withdrawal symptoms are significantly reduced among those who smoked cigarettes. NRT when merged alongside counselling sessions or other assistance would double the prospects of quitting. There is still shortage of research conducted on the extent to which NRT assist those who use smoke-less tobacco in quitting. As people who either use smoke-less tobacco or tobacco have nicotine addiction, hence several individuals who use smoke-less tobacco consider that it might be useful to try using it.

The FDA has given its approval to the following NRT products as effectual ways to quit smoking.

• Nicotine gums.
• Nicotine lozenge.
• Nicotine patches.
• Nicotine inhalers.
• Nicotine nasal sprays.

Neither of the above items have FDA approval particularly to assist those trying to cease smoke-less tobacco. Yet, NRT products might assist a person in quitting or in reducing the yearnings.

Nicotine patch, lozenge and gum could be procured as OTC products whereas nicotine nasal inhaler and spray is obtainable solely with a physician’s prescription.

Among those who use smokeless tobacco, particular NRT forms could be of greater assistance as compared to others. Nicotine gums and lozenge would be more helpful in controlling nicotine yearnings whereas nicotine inhalers are intended to resemble in appearance and feel to filter tips of cigarettes. Nicotine patches give a steadily lasting nicotine dosage, however might not assist with tackling strong hankerings. Yet, patches might be of greater assistance to individuals preferring once-in-a-day expediency.

Irrespective of which NRT form one chooses, one must ensure that the pack instructions are followed and not using tobacco (smokeless variety included) while NRT is taken. It is imperative to seek medical opinion (from physician, chemist or dentist) prior to opting for NRT products.

Deriving optimal benefits from NRT

NRT solely tackles the physical aspect of withdrawal and function best when coalesced with other smoke cessation approaches like group therapy or sittings. These might lower withdrawal symptoms and thus help the person in focussing on how to cope best with the emotional-mental facets of addiction.

In case one opts to employ it, NRT would function ideally when commenced at the onset of an endeavour to cease smoking. Mostly tobacco users would initially attempt quitting by themselves and then opting for NRT. It is advisable to steer clear of NRT in case one intends on continuing use of tobacco products since the merged nicotine dosage could be harmful.

Expectant mothers or those people with cardiovascular ailments and are smoking tobacco must discuss with their physician prior to opting for any OTC NRT product.

Ways to Quit Smoking with Prescription Drugs

• Buproprion (Zyban)A prescription-only antidepressant medication is a suspended release version which lowers nicotine withdrawal symptoms. A nicotine-free medicine which is observed to act on brain chemicals which are associated to nicotine cravings. It has the FDA approval as a smoke cessation aid; however it is yet unclear whether it could be beneficial among those who use smokeless tobacco. Buproprion appears to show optimal efficacy in case commenced one to two weeks prior to cessation date. The regular dosage is a single or 2 pills (strength 150 milligrams)/day. Buproprion could be employed as a stand-alone choice or alongside NRT. Those people with a history of seizure attacks, grave head injury, are anorexic or bulimic, manic depression ailments or issues with alcohol binge drinking must not take Bupropion.
• Varenicline (Chantix)
  
  A prescription drug to be used two times a day and functions by hindering nicotine receptors present in the brain. The result is lessened physical pleasure derived from nicotine intake and lowered nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

The year-long successful quitting rates in trials have been 15-25%. But there are associated side effects when such medicines are taken and despite assistance, one’s system could still struggle amending to a nicotine-free existence.

Key Pointers

• These medications could augment likelihood of quitting smoking by two folds and help in allaying nicotine yearnings and withdrawal signs.
• Seeking proper counselling alongside the intake of medications would enhance quitting chances.
• Those smoking lesser than ten cigarettes per day would not require medications to assist in quitting.
• A number of insurance companies provide total or partial cover for the expenses entailed due to smoking cessation medications.

Smoke cessation Medicines

Medicines like varenicline (Chantix) or bupropion (Zyban) could be prescribed by the doctor to assist in coping with tobacco cravings. The pill-version of such medicines has no nicotine in them.

Varenicline (Chantix)
This medicine helps in blocking and reducing nicotine effects, yearnings and withdrawal signs. In case one does revert to smoking when on the medicine course, one would still not feel content. Hence, this enhances one’s chances to cease smoking. The medicine has to be ideally commenced seven days prior to one quitting smoking and taking it for twelve to twenty-four weeks, twice each day on a full stomach.

Bupropion SR (Zyban)
It can assist in balancing brain chemicals for lessening withdrawal signs. This medication could also be prescribed under product name Wellbutrin for depression treatment. However, it could assist in quitting smoking even when one does not have depression. Bupropion could be taken on a day-to-day basis for nearly one to two weeks prior to one stops smoking. This helps in building up drug levels in the system and one has to continue its intake for seven to twelve weeks subsequent to quitting smoking.

Nortriptyline
Aventyl, Pamelor and clonidine (Catapres)

This could be recommended in case other medications have failed to show success or the person is not able to consume them for some reason.

Medicine Efficacy

Medicine could augment probability of stopping smoking.

• A number of studies have shown varenicline (Chantix) to have better efficacy as compared to bupropion SR (Zyban). However, each individual case varies with one medication having a better effect as compared to another one.
• One’s likelihood of ceasing smoking is boosted when these are coalesced with other aids like counselling therapy.

Medication Side effects

The prevalent side effects associated with use of varenicline (Chantix) comprise of:

• Feeling nauseous.
• Greater incidence of dreaming.
• Wakefulness.
• Headaches.
• Giddiness.
• Mental illness signs like depressive tendencies.

Some individuals that are on a course of bupropion SR (Zyban) could sense oral dryness and sleeping problems and a miniscule risk of developing seizures and risk augmenting in case one has faced head injury or seizure attacks.

It is imperative to seek medical opinion prior to taking these products in case one is suffering from a mental sickness, any cardiac ailments or are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

The prevalent activating factors identified herewith include:

• Being stressed out, emotional turmoil –mostly downbeat, however occasionally even constructive emotions could spark off the craving to fag.
• Another widespread pitfall in the road to staying sober is being exposed to cigarette smoke or some aspect associated to it, for instance being in the companionship of those who indulge in smoking.
• Condition or environment-related triggering factors, reminiscent of the past when one engaged in smoking and behavioural patterns that one has been habituated to linked with fagging. These educing factors have the maximum ensnaring power just subsequent to quitting smoking and could fade over periods of time.

Facing the demons of Smoking and overcoming hurdles

Despite the resoluteness on quitting smoking there are bound to be times and situations that would simply push one to the brink of letting go of one’s pledge. Here some guidance on how to steer clear from such stumbling blocks.

• In case one senses the urge to fag whilst driving in one’s vehicle, try making it as inhospitable an environment for smoking as possible. Cleaning it, emptying and scrubbing the ash storage compartments and the gloves sections. Especially doing away with the ‘what in case – emergency cigarette packet’. It is better to get the seating and fittings inside the vehicle cleared out of any cigarette traces. Keeping items like gums or lozenge or candies in the gloves section for safe options to pop into the mouth when going out on a drive.
• In case one has pals that are into smoking and being around them is a known triggering factor, then speaking to pals that smoke and requesting them for assistance in quitting smoking when in their company as much as doable, for lowering the likelihood of reverting to old ways. In case one finds buddies outside catching up on smoking, it is best to not join them and be indoors; pat yourself on the back for not having to be outdoors in the nippy conditions or not skipping out on the live game going on just for the reason that one was outdoors having a fag.
• A number of people feel the urge to smoke a cigarette soon after a meal. If that is the case then getting occupied physically and mentally like getting up, clearing the dining table, washing the utensils and packing the remaining food as all good ways to distract the mind.

It is mostly the initial couple of minutes following a trigger that incites the craving to fag. Hence, simply delaying that longing – tiding over that crucial time, one would uncover that those thoughts have disappeared.

1. Keep a handy note of all the reasons why you want to stop smoking and this reference helps you motivated always and acts as a reminder too.

2. When ever you are free try practice saying ” I don’t smoke as it causes harm to me “.

3. Find out the drug treatments that could help you . for example – nicotine replacement therapy , speak to your physician about those treatments.

4. Tell your attempt of quitting smoking to your friends and family members and they will always encourage you and remind you as well.

5. If you find that you are making progress and managing well to control smoking to stay out of cigarettes then tell your progress to your friends and family members so that their support and congratulations will help you motivated.

6. Read success stories of those people who managed to stop smoking and try to get their tips and suggestions and keep a note of it.

7. Educate the smokers( may be your friends or family members) around you so that you will have some responsibilities on you because you advised others – NOT TO SMOKE .

8. Practice meditation as some people found some good results out of it.

9. Have a strong dedication and determination in quitting the habit and as it is known everyone that this is very hard to control , and also don’t forget that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE TO YOU , IF DECIDED. all the best.