Where to get quit smoking free patch

People who are still smoking or using any other form of tobacco should not use NRT. Get the advice of a health care provider if you want to use NRT while continuing to smoke or chew. NRT has not yet been proven to help people who smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day.

But many tobacco treatment centers do use NRT for people who are "light smokers. Note that the patch, gum, and lozenge can be purchased over the counter, while the nasal spray and inhaler require a prescription.

The most important thing to do with any form of NRT is read and follow the package instructions very carefully.

Patches give a measured dose of nicotine through the skin. Many different types and strengths of patches are available, including hour and hour patches. Which patch you should use depends on how many cigarettes you smoke each day. Package instructions tell you how to use them, and list special considerations and possible side effects.

How to use nicotine patches: Depending on body size and smoking habits, most people who smoke should start using a full-strength patch mg of nicotine daily for several weeks, and then use a weaker patch mg of nicotine for another several weeks. The patch is changed every day. It should be put on in the morning on a clean, dry area of the skin without much hair.

It should be placed below the neck and above the waist — for instance, on the upper arm or chest. The FDA has approved using the patch for a total of 3 to 5 months, but using it longer is better than going back to smoking. No one has all of the side effects, and some people have none.

Some side effects, such as racing heart, may mean the dose of nicotine is too high for you. Stop using the patch and talk to your health care provider if this happens. You could also have nicotine withdrawal symptoms if your NRT dose is too low. Nicotine gum is a fast-acting form of replacement.

Nicotine is taken in through the mucous membrane of the mouth. You can buy it over the counter without a prescription. It comes in 2 mg and 4 mg strengths. For best results, follow the instructions in the package. Nicotine gum is not meant to be used like regular gum. Chew the gum slowly until you get a peppery taste or tingle. Then tuck it inside your cheek until the taste fades. Chew it to get the peppery taste back, and hold it again.

Do this off and on for 20 to 30 minutes. This is important because many people misuse the nicotine gum and chew it like regular gum instead of how it should be used. An advantage of nicotine gum is that it allows you to control the amount of nicotine you get. The gum can be used as needed or on a fixed schedule during the day. The most recent research has shown that scheduled dosing works better.

A schedule of 1 to 2 pieces per hour is common. On the other hand, with an as-needed schedule, you can use it when you need it most — when you have cravings. Chew no more than 24 pieces of gum in one day. Nicotine gum is usually recommended for 6 to 12 weeks, with the maximum being 6 months. Tapering down the amount of gum you use as you approach 3 months may help you stop using it.

But it is better to keep using the gum rather than starting to smoke again. Stomach and jaw discomfort are usually caused by improper use of the gum, such as swallowing the nicotine or chewing too fast. If your heart is racing or beating irregularly, stop using the gum and talk to your health care provider.

It relieves withdrawal symptoms very quickly and lets you control your nicotine cravings. Most people are told to use 1 to 2 doses per hour. At least 8 doses 16 sprays each day may be needed when you first start, but use as directed by your health care provider. You should not use more than 40 doses 80 sprays per day. Instructions can vary. Zyband Bupropion : Zyband Bupropion is a prescription medication taken as a pill. It works by blocking nicotine receptors in your brain. No evidence exists to show that e-cigarettes are safe or that they can help you quit smoking.

Yet, some people do use them and manage to quit. Within hours of kicking the habit your circulation improves. And within just weeks of quitting your lung function improves. My Chart. Donate Today. For Physicians. Cancer Moonshots. March Quit smoking: 7 products to strike out nicotine cravings.

Previous Article. Next Article. March : Quit smoking: 7 products to strike out nicotine cravings. So, to quit smoking once and for all, find out which product is right for you.

Medications to help you quit smoking Your local drug store stocks several nicotine replacement products over the counter. Potential side effects: Skin rash Allergy Sleep problems or unusual dreams Racing heartbeat Lozenges: Candy-like lozenges are great for a quick fix of nicotine. Potential side effects: Nausea Hiccups Gum: Nicotine gum starts to work within five to 10 minutes — if you use it correctly. Potential side effects: Hiccups Nausea May stick to dentures Inhalers: The inhaler is a plastic tube similar to the size and shape of a pen.

Potential side effects: Coughing Throat irritation Nasal spray: Nasal sprays are similar in size and shape to allergy or congestion nasal sprays. Potential side effects: Nasal irritation Runny nose and watery eyes Can harm children and pets Chantix Varenicline : Chantix Varenicline is a prescription medication taken as a pill, twice a day. Potential side effects: Nausea Vivid dreams Intestinal gas Zyband Bupropion : Zyband Bupropion is a prescription medication taken as a pill.

Fight cravings on all fronts Whichever route you take: Talk to your doctor about your plans to quit. Get extra help. According to the National Cancer Institute, pairing nicotine replacement therapy with counseling sessions doubles your chances of success.

Related Posts. Some treatments are aimed at reducing the side effects of quitting, like headaches or irritability, while others help by making nicotine cravings less severe. You might need a nicotine replacement medicine, a non-nicotine replacement medicine or a combination of both. You should talk to your doctor or health care provider about the best treatment plan for you. Typically, nicotine replacement treatment lasts between two and three months. Even though you can buy several of these products over the counter, you should still talk to your doctor first about which specific type is best for you.

Remember, you should NOT use nicotine replacement medicines if you keep smoking, vaping or using other tobacco products. Using both at the same time can be dangerous. Bupropion hydrochloride is a medicine for depression, but it also helps people quit smoking. This medication is also available as a generic. Varenicline is Varenicline is another generic medicine that can help reduce the cravings for nicotine and its pleasurable effects on the brain.

These are two commonly prescribed smoking-cessation medicines. For your information and reference, we have included generic names as well as brand names to help you identify what you may be taking. However, the AHA does not recommend or endorse any specific products.

Never stop taking a medication and never change your dose or frequency without first consulting your doctor. Stick with it and keep trying if you relapse along your journey. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. Healthy Lifestyle.

Quit Vaping, Smoking, Tobacco. I Want to Quit Smoking! Find your state quitline and resources at map. Look for programs that are: Comprehensive: The best programs consider many factors, including your triggers, lifestyle and past efforts to quit.

Medicines to help you quit When used correctly, there are several different medicines that can really help you on your path to quitting. Nicotine replacement medicines Typically, nicotine replacement treatment lasts between two and three months. Nicotine chewing gum or lozenges For decades, nicotine gum has been helping people successfully quit smoking.