Use nicotine patch along with nicotine gum or lozenges to calm withdrawal symptoms and tobacco cravings

Nov 13 2009

As smokers consider quitting on the Great American Smokeout - Thursday, November 19th - many are frustrated that over-the-counter nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges have not worked for them. Even President Obama admits he still smokes despite using nicotine gum.

According to Dr. Robert Shipley, Director of the Duke University Stop Smoking Clinic, smokers are not using these nicotine products in the best ways: "To get enough nicotine to really calm withdrawal symptoms and tobacco cravings most people should use the nicotine patch along with nicotine gum or lozenges." Many people fear that adding the gum or lozenge to the patch would give them too much nicotine. Shipley says this is unlikely, but that if a person experiences nausea, dizziness, fast or irregular heartbeat - signs of too much nicotine - he or she should simply reduce the amount of gum or lozenges used.

Dr. Shipley also recommends that those who smoke at least 11 cigarettes a day start the nicotine patch two weeks before the quit date. Research at Duke University has shown that this safely doubles the chance of quitting compared to starting the patch on the quit date. To keep the nicotine level from rising, smokers should switch to very-low nicotine cigarettes while using the patch prior to quitting.

While nicotine medicines are safe for most people, Shipley cautions that smokers should check with their doctor before trying these new strategies.