Do you want to QUIT smoking?

There’s only one person who can decide to quit smoking, and that is you. Once you have made the decision to quit, or if you need some help making the commitment, we are here to help. Quitting doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen, and we know it’s not easy.

At Hillcrest Pharmacy, our Pharmacists offer the support, education and helping hand you need to negotiate the path to being smoke-free. We believe that empowerment is the best way to help you to quit smoking so we offer a one-on-one ‘quit smoking’ counselling session in which we can identify your needs, talk you through the process and answer any questions and concerns you may have. If appropriate we can also provide you with nicotine replacement therapy.

 

What is nicotine replacement therapy?

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is basically the products used to replace the nicotine (and curb your cravings).  Nicotine products include patches, lozenges, gum and inhalers.

Nicotine Patches – Used everyday continuously (mostly). Use a new patch, and a new area of skin, each day and leave the patch on for 24 hours. Don't remove or reapply the patch. Press firmly in place with your palm and hold for 20 seconds. If you have vivid dreams when sleeping, remove the patch before you go to bed but apply a new one first thing in the morning.

Nicotine Lozenges – Used for cravings. The lozenges should be sucked enough to release the flavour and then ‘park’ it between your gums and cheek to release the nicotine. Some people don’t like the taste at first, but you do get used to it.

Nicotine Gum – Used for cravings. The gum should be chewed once or twice to release the taste and then ‘park’ it between your gums and cheek to release the nicotine. Some people don’t like the taste at first, but you do get used to it.

Nicotine Inhaler – Used for cravings. This replaces the hands-to-mouth action of a cigarette.

 

Medications available to stop smoking

Champix®

A tablet that is taken to help reduce craving and withdrawal symptoms that may happen when you stop smoking. A quit date is set for 2 weeks after you start Champix® and even though you can smoke past this time, Champix® will reduce your enjoyment of cigarettes if you smoke past this date.  Champix® is a prescription medicine and you will need to talk to your doctor about this.

Zyban®

Zyban® was first made to treat depression, but is useful to help quit smoking regardless of whether the person is depressed or not. As with Champix®, a quit date is set in the first 2 weeks of treatment. Often it can make you sleepy so care is required when driving or operating machinery. Zyban® is a prescription medicine and you will need to talk to your doctor about this.

Nothing you use to quit smoking is magic, you have to be committed to quitting. But don’t feel alone, especially when things don’t go according to plan, we are here to help!

The information contained on this site is not intended to be a replacement for medical advice or advice in relation to the health or care of any person. The information is generalised and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional clinical advice. If you have any questions relating to the information you should seek the advice of a qualified medical practitioner. The information is derived from a number of sources. Remadee has endeavoured to ensure that all information is from reliable and reputable sources.

Leave a comment