NRT to manage nicotine withdrawl
NRT TO MANAGE
NICOTINE WITHDRAWAL
Using willpower alone is still the preferred method for stopping smoking, making up around 50% of all attempts.1 This is despite the fact that up to 97% of willpower alone attempts fail.1
Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can include: intense cravings, feeling restless, having trouble sleeping and mood changes.2,3 Withdrawal symptoms can start within 30 minutes2 and are likely to be strongest within the first few days or weeks.3 It can be challenging to overcome these symptoms.
NRT is available to support those attempting to quit smoking by reducing withdrawal symptoms.4
NRT is generally well tolerated4 yet only around 10-15% of attempts are made using NRT.5 Many would-be quitters may avoid NRT due to misguided beliefs relating to these products but, as you saw in the video, these myths can be easily explained to customers.
NICE recommends behavioural support alongside a combination of short- and long-acting NRT to help your customer successfully quit smoking.6
COMBINATION NRT HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE USE OF A SINGLE NRT PRODUCT.
SMOKERS ARE 27% MORE LIKELY TO QUIT SMOKING USING COMBINATION THERAPY VERSUS SINGLE NRT.7
COMBINATION NRT
WHAT IS COMBINATION NRT?
Combination NRT involves using a long-acting format and a short-acting format in combination to combat nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
This combination of NRT, together with behavioural support, is more likely to result in successfully stopping smoking compared to using either a long-acting or short-acting format alone, alongside behavioural support.6 Combination NRT provides smokers with additional control over ‘urges to smoke’ and withdrawal symptoms.8
HOW DOES COMBINATION NRT WORK?
Long-acting NRT (i.e. a nicotine patch) helps control background cravings by delivering nicotine throughout the day, while a short-acting NRT format (e.g. mouthspray, gum or lozenge) can be used to help control ‘sudden’ cravings for a cigarette.8 Using short-acting NRT alongside a patch may be particularly helpful for additional support in response to urges or in settings or situations where sudden cravings might be more likely to occur.8