Product |
Patches |
Gum |
Spray (Prescription) |
Inhaler (Prescription) |
Bupropion
(Prescription) |
Treatment
Period |
Preferably 8-10 weeks |
Up to 12 weeks |
Up to 8 weeks, then reduce the dose by 50% for 2 weeks |
As for spray |
7 to 12 weeks. Start taking 8 to 14 days before quitting. |
Dosage |
Various strengths for heavy and light smokers depending
on brand. Choose between 24 and 16-hr. patches. |
4mg for heavy smokers, 2mg for lighter smokers. 10-15 pieces a day. |
Dose once or twice an hour as required (don't use more than 64 sprays in 24 hrs.). |
6 to 12 cartridges per day. |
(Day 1 to 3) 1 x 150mg tablet each morning.
(Day 4 onwards) 1 x 150mg tablet a.m. and p.m. |
Pros |
Very easy to use. Automatically gives the right dose. 24-hr patches can help with early morning cravings. Not addictive in the long term. |
Easy to regulate dose. Can help prevent overeating. Gives extra help at difficult moments. |
Gives fast relief to heavy smokers. Easy to adjust dose. |
Helps keep hands and mouth busy. Easy to regulate dose. Could help prevent overeating. |
Good short-term research results. Easy to use. Noticeable reduction in urges to smoke. |
Cons |
24-hr patches may disturb your sleep. Not orally gratifying. Small possibility of skin reaction. |
Tricky with dentures. Need to use correctly |
May cause nasal irritation at first. Dependence more likely. Requires doctor's prescription |
May not suffice for heavy smokers if used alone. May attract attention when used in public. Requires doctor's prescription. |
Possible sleep disruption. Seizure risk. May cause headaches & dry mouth. Requires doctor's prescription. |
Product |
Commit Lozenge |
Chantix (prescription) |
Treatment
Period |
Up to 12 weeks |
12 weeks |
Dosage |
4 mgs for those who have their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking. 2 mgs for those who have their first cigarette 30 minutes after waking. In the first 6 weeks take one lozenge every 1 to 2 hours. Reduce to one lozenge every 2 to 4 hours in weeks 7 to 9 and every 4 to 8 hours in weeks 10 to 12. |
Days 1-3 take .5 mg once daily.
Days 4-7 take .5mg twice daily.
Days 8-to end of treatment take 1 mg twice daily.
Take after a meal with a full glass of water. |
Pros |
Easy to regulate. Gives extra help at difficult moments. |
Works on the brain to decrease pleasure of smoking. Helps curb withdrawal symptoms. |
Cons |
May cause nausea, hiccups, heartburn, headache and gas. |
May cause nausea, indigestion, tired feeling and sleep problems |
JSI is the consulting firm hired by the Rhode Island Department of Health to provide quit smoking services to Rhode Islanders. JSI has become a recognized leader in the implementation of improvements in health care services. The ultimate objective of JSI's information dissemination and tobacco treatment activities is to improve public health by preventing and reducing the toll of tobacco-related illness. JSI's Try-To-Stop Tobacco Resource Center of Rhode Island features toll free Help lines 1-800-Try-To-Stop (1-800-879-8678) and 1-800-8-Déjalo (1-800-833-5256) which expands access to care by making tobacco treatment available to smokers who might not otherwise receive assistance in quitting.
