March 13, 2008

Do Nicotine Replacement Therapies Really Work - Part 1

Nicotine Replacement Therapies - ways to quit smokingIt may seem astonishing to hear that nicotine is the first pharmacological agent that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in terminating the habit of smoking.

It would seem like replacing cigarettes with nicotine gum, patches, or whatever, is exactly what you don’t want to do. However, the nicotine in these things is much less harmful that the hundreds of chemicals in each cigarette. That’s why it is one of the safe ways to quit smoking.

Nicotine replacement therapies that have been approved for use in the United States include patches, nicotine gum, inhalers, and nasal sprays. All of these are designed to alleviate withdrawal symptoms. Using these particular products reduces severe physiological alterations than those of tobacco-based systems, also providing the user with lower nicotine levels than tobacco.

Another benefit of nicotine replacement therapy is that these forms of nicotine have a minimal potential of being abused due to the fact that they do not give the body the satisfying effects of tobacco products. They also do not contain the carcinogens and gases that are associated with tobacco smoke.

The first ever nicotine replacement therapy first became available by prescription in the United States, after the FDA’s approval of nicotine gum, in 1984. It then became available 1996 as an over-the-counter product.

Smoking behavior can be interrupted when chewing nicotine gum, whilst maintaining nicotine levels in the blood system. This minimizes withdrawal effect. It has been reported that there is a three-month success rate of 76%, and a one year success rate of 50%.

This is the most effective approach, when it is accompanied by psychological therapy. However, it still remains to be discovered that there are considerable relapse occurrences after the gum has been completed.

Whilst some smokers are given control over doses and the ability to relieve craving when chewing nicotine gum, others are not capable of tolerating the taste, or simply do not enjoy chewing gum. Part 2 will talk about other ways to quit smoking that are included in nicotine replacement therapies.

Tags: Ways to Quit Smoking

Filed under Ways to Quit Smoking by Jean.
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