Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRT)
Understand what NRT is, what types are available and how they can increase your chances of quitting successfully.
Pharmacotherapy
When you’re trying to stop smoking, there are lots of helpful medications that can reduce cravings and make withdrawal symptoms easier to manage. Not every option suits everyone, and getting the best results often comes down to choosing the right medication, using it properly, and having supportive guidance along the way.
On this page, we’ll introduce the different types of medications that can support a quit attempt — including those available through the Kick It Stop Smoking Programme. Our aim is to help you feel confident, supported, and empowered as you take steps towards a smoke-free future.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy gives you controlled doses of nicotine without the harmful chemicals in cigarettes, helping you gradually reduce dependence. Options include patches (absorbed through the skin) and oral or nasal products like gum, lozenges, sublingual tablets, and sprays. Patches can be used alone or combined with these products.
Below, we briefly explain each option so you can get a better sense of what might work for you. And if you’d like more guidance, the Kick It team is always here to help.
Using Nicotine Replacement Products
Nicotine Transdermal Patch
Delivers a steady dose of nicotine to bloodstream via the skin with peak levels reached 2–6 hours after applying the patch. Available in 16-hour or 24-hour and with alternative dosage of Nicotine.
Nicotine Mouth Spray
Delivers nicotine through buccal mucosa, fast acting (max 2 minutes to reach bloodstream) with peak levels reached within 16 minutes of administration of 1mg dose.
Inhalator
Puffing on an inhalator vaporises nicotine which absorbs into bloodstream through mouth and throat with peak levels reached within 15–20 minute
Nicotine Gum
Available in different flavours and nicotine strength, each piece delivers nicotine to bloodstream through buccal mucosa with peak levels reached in about 30 minutes.
Nicotine Lozenge
Delivers nicotine to bloodstream through buccal mucosa; peak levels reached within minutes.
Varenicline
Varenicline is a safe and effective, prescription-only, non-nicotine medication that reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms and blocks some of the rewarding effects of smoking.
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