A patch gives you a steady dose of nicotine all day, while gum and lozenges work fast when a craving hits. Many people do best with a patch plus gum or a lozenge, which has the strongest evidence of any nicotine replacement plan. Our pharmacist in Meadowlark, west Edmonton, can help you choose the right product and strength.
What is nicotine replacement therapy?
Nicotine replacement therapy, often shortened to NRT, gives your body a controlled amount of nicotine without the smoke. Cigarette smoke is what carries tar, carbon monoxide and most of the harmful chemicals. Nicotine is the part that keeps you hooked, and NRT eases the withdrawal and cravings while you break the habit.
Withdrawal is physical, not a lack of willpower. Irritability, poor sleep and strong urges to smoke usually peak in the first one to two weeks. NRT takes the edge off so you can focus on changing your routines. You do not need a prescription for patches, gum, lozenges or the inhaler, and you can buy them at the pharmacy counter.
How does the patch work?
The patch sticks to your skin and releases nicotine slowly through the day. It is the simplest option because you put it on once and forget about it. It does not help much with a sudden craving, though, because the nicotine arrives slowly.
- Strengths: patches usually come in three steps, such as 21 mg, 14 mg and 7 mg. People who smoke more start higher and step down over several weeks.
- How to use it: put a new patch on clean, dry, hairless skin on your upper arm, chest or back each morning, and use a different spot each day.
- Sleep: some people get vivid dreams or trouble sleeping. Taking the patch off at bedtime often helps, but ask us first if your morning cravings are strong.
How do you use nicotine gum the right way?
Nicotine gum is not chewed like regular gum. Use the "chew and park" method: chew slowly until you notice a peppery taste or tingle, then park the gum between your cheek and gum. When the tingle fades, chew a few more times and park it again. One piece lasts about 30 minutes.
Gum comes in 2 mg and 4 mg. A common rule of thumb is that if you smoke your first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking up, the 4 mg strength may suit you better. Skip coffee, juice and pop for 15 minutes before and during use, because acidic drinks reduce how much nicotine you absorb. Chewing too fast can cause hiccups, a sore jaw or an upset stomach.
Are nicotine lozenges better than gum?
Lozenges work in a similar way to gum but without the chewing. You let the lozenge dissolve slowly in your mouth, moving it from side to side now and then. Do not chew or swallow it. They are a good choice if you wear dentures, have dental work or simply do not like gum. Most come in 2 mg and 4 mg, though some brands sell 1 mg and 2 mg, and they can cause hiccups, heartburn or nausea if used too quickly.
Neither one is better for everyone. The best product is the one you will actually use when a craving shows up at work, in the car or after dinner.
What about the nicotine inhaler?
The inhaler is a small plastic tube holding a nicotine cartridge. You puff on it and the nicotine is absorbed in your mouth and throat. It suits people who miss the hand to mouth habit of smoking. It is an on demand product, like gum and lozenges, so it is often paired with a patch.
Can you use the patch and gum together?
Yes, for many people. Combination therapy pairs the patch for steady, background control with gum, a lozenge or the inhaler for breakthrough cravings. Among NRT plans, this approach has the strongest evidence. Your total nicotine still needs to match how much you smoked, so check with our pharmacist before you combine products.
What side effects can quit aids cause?
Most side effects are mild and depend on the product:
- Patch: itching or redness where the patch sits, and vivid dreams or poor sleep.
- Gum: sore jaw, hiccups, mouth irritation and upset stomach.
- Lozenge: hiccups, heartburn, nausea and mouth irritation.
- Inhaler: throat or mouth irritation and coughing.
Nausea, dizziness, headache or a racing heart can mean you are getting more nicotine than you need. Remove the patch or stop the gum or lozenge and talk to a pharmacist. Keep all NRT products, including used patches, out of reach of children and pets, since even a small amount of nicotine can make a child sick.
Who should talk to a pharmacist before starting NRT?
NRT is a good fit for most adults who smoke, but ask first if you:
- are pregnant or breastfeeding,
- have had a recent heart attack or stroke, or have chest pain or an irregular heartbeat,
- are under 18,
- have stomach ulcers, a skin condition, or a long term health condition,
- take other medications. Smoking changes how your body handles some medicines, so the dose of something you already take may need a check once you quit.
Can these products help you quit vaping?
Vapes deliver nicotine too, so the cravings and withdrawal can feel very similar. NRT products sold in Canada are labelled for quitting smoking, and vaping habits vary a lot from person to person. If you want to stop vaping, talk to our pharmacist about how much you use and which plan makes sense for you.
When is a prescription quit medication an option?
NRT is not the only tool. Varenicline (once sold as Champix) and Zyban (bupropion) are prescription medications that reduce cravings in different ways, and they are often used alongside counselling. Alberta pharmacists can prescribe many medications, and at Acme Drug Mart our prescribing pharmacist can review your health and prescribe a quit smoking medication where it is appropriate. No referral is needed.
Our quit smoking program covers your smoking history, a medication check, a quit date, the treatment that fits, and follow up visits at weeks 1, 4 and 12. The week 1 check in matters most, because that is when most slips happen.
How much do patches, gum and lozenges cost?
NRT is sold without a prescription. An 8 week course of patches costs roughly $100 to $150, and gum or lozenges add to that depending on how many you use. Many private benefit plans reimburse quit smoking products, so check your plan or ask us to look at your coverage with you.
How do you get started in west Edmonton?
Pick a quit date one to two weeks away, write down your triggers, and have your patch and backup gum or lozenges ready before the day comes. Treat a slip as information, not failure, and get back on your plan.
You do not have to figure it out alone. Rose, our pharmacist, can talk through your options and help you choose a product and strength that fits your day. Visit Acme Drug Mart at Unit 103, 15508 87 Ave NW in Meadowlark, west Edmonton, or call (780) 443-0202. We are open Monday to Friday 9 to 6 and Saturday 10 to 5, and closed Sunday. Once you have a plan, we can bring your supplies to you with free delivery anywhere in Edmonton, every time.