subject: Nicotine Replacement Therapies To Stop Smoking [print this page] Making the decision to stop smoking is smart, but actually stopping can be extremely difficult for many people. For those who are having a hard time, there are products on the market that can make it easier.
Some of these products are called nicotine replacement therapies. They contain nicotine in safe amounts, just enough nicotine to help the smoker get through the torment of giving up smoking.
One of these nicotine replacements is the nicotine inhaler. It is available with a prescription.
This product places nicotine directly into the lungs so that it gets into the bloodstream more quickly. It provides a certain psychological crutch to help the ex-smoker get through each day, until the craving for cigarettes is conquered.
The inhaler's plastic inhaler contains a nicotine cartridge. When smokers inhale, the air passes through the cartridges, which in turn vaporizes the nicotine in the cartridges. This vapor is then inhaled into the lungs and absorbed into the bloodstream.
What's the difference between the inhaler and a cigarette? It gives the ex-smoker the nicotine the body craves, but does not have any risky substances such as carbon monoxide and other carcinogens and pollutants that are in cigarette smoke.
Just as with other nicotine replacement therapies, the inhaler can be used for longer than several months if the person needs it. Six months is a typical length of time to use the inhaler.
As with any drug, the person who has any health problem needs to verify with their doctor that it is alright to use this certain product.
Nicotine nasal sprays are another product people can use to quit smoking. It is also available only by prescription.
The spray comes in a pump bottle that the ex-smoker uses to spray into the nose, one spray into each nostril. If using the spray, don't inhale while spraying because the nicotine will end up in the throat, where it will be swallowed. Once in the stomach, it will be destroyed by the stomach acid and will not do any good.
It is supposed to be sprayed into the nostril and absorbed by the nasal lining. There it will be slowly absorbed into the bloodstream.
Since each bottle contains about 200 sprays, and the person can use 60-80 sprays each day, one bottle may last only two to four days at first. Gradually the number of sprays needed each day will be reduced, and many people find that after three months they do not need it any more.
Some people have problems with the nasal spray, however. They complain of eye or sinus irritation. It can trigger an asthma attack for those who have asthma, and for those with allergies it can block nasal passages and won't be absorbed into the body as efficiently.
Despite the negatives, if you need extra help to quit smoking, and if your doctor recommends and prescribes one of these, either of these nicotine replacement therapies can be just what is needed to successfully stop smoking.
