What treatments are available?
There are treatments available that can double your chances of stopping smoking. If you use NHS support and medication to help with any side effects from stopping smoking you double your chances again so are four times more likely to be successful!
All nicotine replacement products are available from your GP or pharmacist. Pharmacists trained as community advisors and surgery-based advisors will provide a two-week supply of nicotine products for a single prescription charge. It is important for your success that you are supported by one of our specially trained pharmacy-based or surgery-based Advisors for at least the first four weeks after your quit day. This will significantly improve your chance of permanently stopping smoking.
All nicotine products as well as both the oral medications of Champix and Zyban are available on prescription from your doctor.
None of these treatments are a magic cure! Giving up smoking requires your determination and willpower. All these products will assist your smoke free journey but you need to make some behaviour changes as well as changes to the way you think about cigarettes.
You may have tried Nicotine products or Zyban already, but do you know about Champix?
| Nicotine Products | How they work |
| Nicotine gum | When you chew nicotine gum, the nicotine is absorbed through the lining of your mouth. |
| Nicotine patches | Nicotine patches work well for most regular smokers and can be worn round the clock (24 hour patches) or just during the day (16 hour patches). |
| Microtabs | These are small tablets containing nicotine which dissolve quickly under your tongue. |
| Lozenges | Lozenges are sucked slowly to release the nicotine and take about 20-30 minutes to dissolve. |
| Inhalators | Inhalators look like a plastic cigarette. The inhalator releases nicotine vapour which gets absorbed through your mouth and throat. If you miss the 'hand to mouth' aspect of smoking, these may suit you. |
| Nicotine nasal spray | The spray delivers a swift and effective dose of nicotine through the lining of your nose. |
| Mini Lozenges | This is like a tic-tac. Easy to carry around in your pocket and provides effective response to cravings as and when they occur. Works within five minutes to reduce cravings.
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| Prescription medication | How it Works |
| Champix (Varenicline) | Champix reduces your cravings to smoke and helps to relieve any irritability you may have when you stop smoking. When you first begin the 12 week course of tablets you will still be smoking. Your dose gradually increases during the first week so that by the second week you are on the full dose of 2mg per day. (One 1 mg tablet taken in the morning and the second 1 mg tablet taken early evening). By the second week you may notice you don’t enjoy your cigarettes as much as before. Your Quit Day should be set with your Advisor around Day 9 or 10 of the course, when you will be taking the full dose of medication. Around 50% of patients taking Champix experience treatment related nausea. If necessary you may have the dose lowered temporarily or permanently to 0.5 mg twice daily. This will not affect your Quit Date Champix is not advised for pregnant and breastfeeding women or for young people under the age of 18. It is available on prescription from your GP provided you are being supported by a Stop Smoking Advisor during the first four weeks of your quit attempt. |
| Zyban (Bupropion Hydrochloride) | Zyban is an eight week course of tablets which reduces your cravings to smoke and helps relieve the irritability you may experience when you stop smoking. When you begin taking Zyban you should still be smoking. As the dose builds up in your system patients report that they no longer enjoy smoking. A Quit Day should be agreed with your Advisor during Week 2 of the course. Zyban is not advised if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a history of fits or using certain medications. Zyban is only available on prescription from your GP and you should also be monitored by a Stop Smoking Advisor at least for the first four weeks of treatment. Your advisor will help you decide if this medication will be suitable for you. |