Some of the best selling items for smokers in recent years have been stop smoking products such as nicotine gums and patches. A doctor’s prescription was originally required to use the smoking cessation product but eventually over-the-counter sales were approved as there were no serious side effects when the products were used as directed.
The patches provide a slow release of nicotine while the gums provide nicotine release on demand. The goal of both stop smoking products is to help an addicted tobacco user gradually quit his habit with a gradual withdrawal of nicotine over a ten week period of time. The nicotine replace patches and gums continue to sell well today.
The ten week program recommended to user of the nicotine patch begins with six weeks at maximum dosage (21 mg). Following that the user reduces his usage to a 14 mg patch for two weeks and then to the lowest level (7 mg) for the final two weeks of the stop smoking program. Because the patch can cause sleep disturbances in some people not everyone can wear that patch the full 24 hrs as recommended.
Tobacco prices have drastically risen in the past few years. It is common for a heavy smoker to spend no less than $70 per week on his addiction. The total cost of patches for a 10 week smoking cessation program will cost a bit over $200. Clearly, this is cheaper than smoking tobacco for the next ten weeks. Nicotine replacement products are not advised for use by diabetics. This eliminates 8% of the U.S. population who cannot use the patches at all.
Nicotine gum is another popular stop smoking aid with consumers. Similar to regular chewing gum each piece is wrapped separately in foil. The strength of 2 or 4 mg is comparable to the nicotine delivered by one or two standard cigarettes.
To extract the nicotine the user chews the gum until soft and then parks the gum between his cheek and gums. As the gum is softened by chewing a tingling begins in the mouth. This indicates release of nicotine and will continue for several minutes. As needed, the gum is chewed a few more time to reactivate the tingling sensation and then again parked between the cheek and the gum of your mouth. One piece of nicotine gum will be good for about 30 minutes before the nicotine is totally used.
Nicotine constricts the blood vessels which may be why long term use of nicotine gums can lead to gum disease. Side effects of hiccups and feeling the throat is constricting may be cause by swallowing saliva contains a high dose of nicotine from overuse of the medicated gum. When beginning a smoking cessation program involving nicotine replacement products smokers should be alert to any side effects they might experience.
Use of nicotine replacement products in the first trimester of pregnancy has been linked to an increased risk of birth defects. No nicotine products should be used by pregnant women or by nursing mothers. Risk groups are identified on the product packaging.
The antidepressant prescriptive drugs that are used in stop smoking programs have raised concerns about serious side effects. Although the quit rate is somewhat higher with the stop smoking pills they should be taken under the supervision of a physician. The pills do not replace the nicotine for a smoker but they provide a calming feeling and reduce the physical cravings of nicotine withdrawal.
You can’t compare patches, gums and pills meant help you stop smoking with electronic cigarettes. The e-cigarette is meant to provide safer alternative to smoking rather than to help you quit. Smokers who buy e-cigarette (s) are those who want to continue smoking but in a healthier and environmentally friendly manner.
Mary Kay Rivers has become a true expert on all aspects of e-cigs. Her articles about the realism of electronic cigarettes and how to buy e-cigarette are very popular.
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