Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) provides nicotine, without the tar and carbon monoxide that is present in tobacco smoke.

There are different types of NRT:

  • Patches are worn on the skin and deliver a regular dose of nicotine over 16 or 24 hours. The long-lasting action means they can be worn around the clock and can therefore help to prevent cravings. If you get strong cravings to smoke as soon as you wake up, a 24 hour patch may be best for you.
  • Inhalators can help if you miss the physical action of smoking. You insert a cartridge into the device and inhale nicotine vapour through the mouthpiece, using 6 to 12 cartridges a day.
  • Lozenges release nicotine as they dissolve in the mouth. You normally start with one lozenge every one to two hours.
  • Microtabs are tablets that dissolve under your tongue (sublingual tablets). They can be more discreet than lozenges. You normally start with one to two tablets per hour.
  • Chewing gums needs to be chewed in the special way described in the pack, not like normal chewing gum. You normally start with one piece of gum every one to two hours. Various flavours are available.
  • Nasal spray is used to give more rapid relief from cravings as it delivers nicotine more quickly than other NRT products. You can use it once in each nostril up to twice an hour.
  • Mouth spray is also used to give more rapid relief from cravings as it delivers nicotine more quickly than other NRT products. You spray it directly into the mouth. You can start with one or two sprays up to twice an hour.

Possible side effects of NRT 

As with all medicines, nicotine replacement products may cause side effects, though sometimes these may be difficult to distinguish from withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping smoking. Common side effects with all products are headache, nausea and dizziness.

In addition patches can cause skin rashes and irritation and the nasal spray can cause nose bleeds, sneezing, sore throat, runny nose and watery eyes.

Nicotine from lozenges, microtabs, gums and inhalators may irritate the mouth and throat and cause dryness.

These products can also increase the production of saliva at the start of treatment, and excessive swallowing of nicotine in this saliva can cause nausea, indigestion and hiccups.

Almost everyone who smokes will be able to use NRT, including pregnant women.