Media release

From: NPS MedicineWise

Update on how to quit smoking

At any time two out of three smokers would like to quit. In an article in the February edition of Australian Prescriber, Dr Colin Mendelsohn, a GP from Double Bay in Sydney, reviews the medicines that can help people stop smoking. He finds combinations work better than any single treatment.

“There are several types of nicotine replacement therapy available. Nicotine patches help with background cravings. Oral forms such as mouth spray, gum, lozenges and lozenges work more quickly and can help to relieve unexpected cravings,” says Dr Mendelsohn.

“It's important to use enough nicotine to control the cravings. Also, you need to use oral forms correctly – most people don’t.

“Combining a nicotine patch with an oral form of nicotine works better than only using one.

“Also, varenicline is a medicine that relieves cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It reduces the reward you get from smoking a cigarette, and can be combined with a nicotine patch,” he says.

The article also looks at vaping nicotine, a second-line option that can be considered if other treatments have failed.

“Vaping nicotine is more effective than nicotine replacement therapy as a quitting aid. It can also be used long term to avoid relapse to smoking but it is important that the patient stops smoking completely,” says Dr Mendelsohn.

“The precise long-term risks of vaping are not yet known but are unlikely to be more than 5% of the risk of smoking.”

“The cost of vaping nicotine is about a tenth of the cost of smoking,” says Dr Mendelsohn.

Read the article in Australian Prescriber.