Nicotine replacement
therapy (NRT) is used to relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms by providing
nicotine without the use of tobacco, while the smoker breaks the behavior of
cigarette smoking. NRT is effective for smoking cessation.
Many smokers worry that
they will become dependent on NRT, but nicotine dependence rarely occurs,
especially with the long-acting patch (USPSTF 2015).
Smokers may also worry
that nicotine causes cancer, which it does not.
NRT is safe to use in
patients with known stable cardiovascular disease. While there is limited
information regarding its use after acute coronary syndrome, it is generally
used to reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms in the hospital when needed.
In randomized trials,
individual NRT products were found to be superior to placebo, increasing quit
rates up to twofold (1). One randomized trial among the NRT patch, gum,
inhaler, and nasal spray found no difference in efficacy (2).
Single-agent NRT is less
effective than combining the long-acting patch with a short-acting form such as
gum, lozenge, or inhaler.
In a meta-analysis of
nine randomized trials, use of a nicotine patch combined with a short-acting
NRT product (gum, spray, or inhaler) was more effective than a single type of
NRT (3). For smokers wishing to use NRT it is recommended to combine long- and
short-acting NRT as initial therapy.
Differences in the
bioavailability of nicotine replacement products provide a rationale for
combining NRT products to increase efficacy for smoking cessation (4).
Each agent produces a
lower blood nicotine level than does smoking one pack of cigarettes daily. In
addition, smokers have experience titrating their nicotine intake to avoid both
nicotine withdrawal and nicotine overdose, as they have done this titration
throughout their years as cigarette smokers.
In general, NRT use is
recommended for two to three months after smoking cessation, though NRT use for
as long as a smoker is at high risk for relapse is acceptable because NRT is
much safer than continuing to smoke. Some smokers may need to use the products
indefinitely. NRT products can also be used while the smoker is still smoking.
Nicotine transdermal
patch (long-acting): provides the most continuous nicotine delivery among all
NRT products and is the simplest NRT to use. The patch has a long-acting,
slow-onset pattern of nicotine delivery (5) but requires several hours to reach
peak levels. The patch is available over the counter and by prescription in the
United States. Dosing is determined by the number of cigarettes smoked daily
when the patch is started: >10 cigarettes per day and weight >45 kg –
Start with the highest dose nicotine patch (21 mg/day) for six weeks,
followed by 14 mg/day for two weeks, and finish with 7 mg/day for
two weeks; ≤10 cigarettes per day or weight < 45 kg – Start with the medium
dose nicotine patch (14 mg/day) for six weeks, followed by
7 mg/day for two weeks.
Short-acting nicotine
replacement therapy: (lozenge, gum, inhaler, or nasal spray) can be used as a
single agent or can be added to daily nicotine patch therapy to help control
cravings and withdrawal symptoms. However, short-acting forms require repeated
use throughout the day, lead to more variable nicotine levels than the patch,
and require more instructions for correct use. The nicotine patch, lozenge, and
gum are available in the United States without a prescription; nasal spray and
oral inhaler require a prescription. A nicotine mouth spray and sublingual
tablet are available in some countries, though not in the United States.
Nicotine gum: Chewing the gum releases
nicotine to be absorbed through the oral mucosa, resulting in peak blood
nicotine levels 20 minutes after starting to chew. Nicotine gum is available in
several flavors that most users find preferable to the original flavor. For
those who smoke ≥ 25 cigarettes per day – 4 mg dose of gum is recommended; for
those who smoke < 25 cigarettes per day – 2 mg dose of gum is recommended;
chew at least one piece of gum every one to two hours while awake and also
whenever there is an urge to smoke; up to 24 pieces of gum per day for six
weeks. Gradually reduce use over a second six weeks, for a total duration of
three months.
Nicotine lozenge is a commonly used
short-acting NRT product, with pharmacokinetics similar to nicotine gum.
Lozenges are easier to use correctly than nicotine gum and are also available
in different flavors. Smokers who smoke within 30 minutes of awakening: 4 mg
dose recommended; Smokers who wait more than 30 minutes after awakening to
smoke: 2 mg dose recommended. Use up to one lozenge every 1 or 2 hours for six
weeks. The maximum dose is five lozenges every 6 hours or 20 lozenges per day.
Gradually reduce number of lozenges used per day over a second six weeks.
Nicotine inhalers consist of a mouthpiece
and a plastic, nicotine-containing cartridge. The inhaler addresses not only
physical dependence but also the behavioral and sensory aspects of smoking
(having a cigarette between one's fingers and inhaling from the cigarette).
When the smoker inhales through the device, nicotine vapor (not smoke) is
released, deposited primarily in the oropharynx, and absorbed through the oral
mucosa. Nicotine vapor does not reach the lungs to an appreciable extent. The
ad lib use of the nicotine inhaler produces plasma nicotine levels that are
roughly one-third of those that occur with cigarette smoking. The
pharmacokinetics of the inhaler resemble those of nicotine gum. Use 6 to 16
cartridges per day for the first 6 to 12 weeks and gradually reduce dose over
the next 6 to 12 weeks
Nicotine nasal spray results in peak nicotine
levels 10 minutes after nasal spray use, which is a more rapid rise in plasma
nicotine concentration than that produced by agents absorbed via the oral mucosa
(gum, inhaler, or lozenge) (6). Dose is 1 or 2 sprays per hour. Use for about
three months. The maximum dose is 10 sprays per hour, not to exceed 80 total
sprays per day
Nicotine mouth
spray: 1 mg
nicotine is delivered per spray; use 1 or 2 sprays when cravings occur, up to
four sprays per hour.
Nicotine sublingual
tablet: One 2
mg tablet to dissolve sublingually (typically over 30 minutes) everyone to two
hours. Patients who are heavily nicotine-addicted can use two tablets
sublingually (4 mg total) for each dose (7).
ENDS: Electronic
nicotine delivery systems are a new entry in the market.
References
1. Cunningham
JA, Kushnir V, Selby P, et al. Effect of mailing nicotine patches on tobacco
cessation among adult smokers: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med.
2016;176(2):184-90.
2. Hajek
P, West R, Foulds J, et al. Randomized comparative trial of nicotine
polacrilex, a transdermal patch, nasal spray, and an inhaler. Arch Intern Med.
1999;159(17):2033-8.
3. Cahill
K, Stevens S, Perera R, Lancaster T. Pharmacological interventions for smoking
cessation: an overview and network meta-analysis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
2013 May 31;(5):CD009329.
4. Rigotti
NA. Clinical practice. Treatment of tobacco use and dependence. N Engl J Med.
2002;346(7):506-12.
5. Hartmann-Boyce
J, Aveyard P. Drugs for smoking cessation. BMJ. 2016;352:i571.
6. Hughes
JR, Goldstein MG, Hurt RD, et al. Recent advances in the pharmacotherapy of
smoking. JAMA. 1999;281(1):72-6.
7. Glover
ED, Glover PN, Franzon M, et al. A comparison of a nicotine sublingual tablet
and placebo for smoking cessation. Nicotine Tob Res. 2002;4(4):441-50.
Dr KK Aggarwal
Padma Shri Awardee
President
Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO)
Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications
President Heart Care Foundation of India
Immediate Past National President IMA
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