Nicotine replacement

There are three different ways you can replace the nicotine you get from cigarettes to help you quit for good. These include:

Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), such as patches, sprays, gum and lozenges
Prescription-only medicines (tablets)
Nicotine vapes (e-cigarettes)

Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs)



Nicotine Chewing Gum

You chew the gum and then rest it on the inside of your cheek to deliver nicotine through the lining of your mouth and throat. It is available in different strengths and gives short bursts of nicotine fast.



Nicotine inhalator

This delivers nicotine through the lining of the mouth and throat. The inhaler feels like the hand to mouth habit of smoking. It works faster than gum and lozenges.



Nicotine lozenges

You suck a lozenge and then rest it inside your cheek to deliver nicotine through the lining of your mouth and throat. They come in different strengths and give a short burst of nicotine fast.



Nicotine nasal spray

This delivers nicotine through the lining of the nose. It is the fastest way that nicotine can enter the bloodstream and they mimic the rush you get from smoking more closely than any other NRT.



Nicotine oral spray

This delivers nicotine through the lining of the mouth and throat. Like a nasal spray, they are fast-acting.



Nicotine micro tablet

These are small tablets that dissolve quickly under your tongue to deliver nicotine through the lining of your mouth and throat.



Transdermal patch

These deliver a steady dose of nicotine through your skin. You can wear a 24-hour patch all the time, to help with cravings when you wake up, or a 16-hour patch for while you are awake.

These therapies will give you the nicotine without the harmful chemicals found in cigarettes. They can help reduce the withdrawal symptoms of quitting.

They have been around for many years and are readily available in pharmacies, supermarkets, and a range of other outlets. You can even be prescribed them by a doctor or stop smoking service. To get the best results it is a good idea to use a combination of NRTs.

Think ‘low and slow’ like a patch to keep you at a constant level, in combination with ‘strong and fast’ like a spray, inhaler, or gum to deal with immediate cravings. When you feel ready you can gradually reduce your dose of NRTs until you eventually stop. It is recommended that NRTs are used for about 12 weeks or as long as they are needed to stop you from smoking again.

Nicotine Pouches

These are not recommended as a stop-smoking aid because of the lack of research on how safe or effective they are for stopping smoking. They work by placing the pouch between the lip and the gum and come in different nicotine strengths and flavours.

Make a Referral

Search