It Is Easier To Quit Smoking If You Use Several Nicotine Replacement Products At Once

It is easier to quit smoking if you use several nicotine replacement products at once

Scientists have found that concurrent use of a nicotine patch and a different type of nicotine replacement therapy (such as chewing gum or lozenge) increases the likelihood that a person will successfully quit smoking than using one type of product.

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New data published by the Cochrane Library showed that using combination nicotine replacement therapy increases the likelihood of successful smoking cessation compared to using the respective drugs alone.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is medications (skin patches, chewing gums, nasal and oral sprays, inhalers, lozenges and tablets) that deliver nicotine through the body to the brain. The goal of NRT is to replace nicotine from cigarettes, so the urge to smoke is reduced to complete cessation. NRT increases the chances of quitting smoking and is popular with people who want to get rid of this bad habit.

A Cochrane review (63 studies, 41,509 participants) looked at different ways NRT is used and how they are effective in quitting smoking for six months or longer. All studies were conducted on people who wanted to quit smoking, mainly adults who smoked at least 15 cigarettes a day.

Scientists have found that concurrent use of a nicotine patch and a different type of NRT (such as chewing gum or lozenge) increases the likelihood that a person will successfully quit smoking than using one type of NRT: just over 17% versus 14%.

Using a higher dose versus a lower dose of nicotine in chewing gum (4mg versus 2mg) and patches (21-25mg versus 14-15mg) also increased the likelihood. However, more evidence is needed to support this conclusion.

When people plan to quit smoking, they often set a “quit day” for themselves. There is evidence, albeit insufficient, that early use of NRT can help more people quit smoking than starting NRT on the day they quit smoking.

Several studies have examined the safety of various types of NRT; it was found that the negative effects (irritation of the skin or sores in the mouth) are minor and extremely rare. NRT is considered safe, but there is still insufficient data on the safety of using different types of NRT in comparison with each other.

“Some people are wary of using two forms at the same time, but the evidence does not point to an increased risk of harm. Although this recommendation is found in the latest clinical guidelines in the UK and the US, incorporating these findings into drug preparation and prescribing guidelines for healthcare providers and advice for people seeking NRT is likely to help more people quit smoking.” review by Dr. Nicola Lindson, editor of the Cochrane Tobacco Control Group.

Scientists have tried to answer a few more questions (how long to use NRT; whether to stick to a schedule; whether the likelihood of quitting depends on whether NRT is provided free of charge or you have to pay), but this requires more research.