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Quit aids to help you stop smoking or vaping
Smoking or vaping is a dual addiction: it’s both physical and mental!
Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Your brain remains sensitive to it, even if you’ve given it up for a while.
Many smokers smoke for years, often around 20 times a day. Vapers usually use their vape throughout the day.
Smoking or vaping thus becomes a regular part of your day. When you stop, it throws your body and mind off balance for a while.
What’s more, you often associate smoking or vaping with certain moments. For example, with relaxation, a break or ‘a moment to yourself’.
That makes giving up even harder. That’s why it’s difficult to do this all on your own.
You’re most likely to quit successfully with support and a quit aid (nicotine replacement or medication).
During our coaching sessions, we’ll advise you on which quit aid is the best option for you. This depends on your smoking or vaping habits and your personal preferences.
Aids can include, for example, nicotine replacement therapy or medication. Below you will find an overview with more information about these aids.
We only recommend aids that have been scientifically proven to be effective in helping people to stop smoking or vaping.
Nicotine replacement therapies
How does nicotine replacement therapy help you to stop smoking or vaping?
Nicotine replacement therapy ensures that your body still receives a small amount of nicotine when you stop smoking or vaping. As a result, you experience fewer withdrawal symptoms, or they are less severe.
Using these products doubles your chances of successfully quitting!
Below, you can read about the four most commonly used nicotine replacement therapies.
Nicotine patches
A nicotine patch helps to reduce the urge to smoke or vape. The patch releases a small, constant amount of nicotine over a 24-hour period. This keeps the nicotine level in your body steady, without any peaks or shortage.
After about 2 to 3 hours, the patch reaches its highest nicotine level. After a few weeks, you can gradually reduce the dose.
The patches are available in three strengths: 21 mg, 14 mg and 7 mg.
Nicotine chewing gum
The nicotine released when you chew the gum helps to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
- Peak levels are reached 20 minutes after use.
- Available in a range of flavours.
- Available in strengths of 2 mg and 4 mg.
Nicotine lozenge
The lozenge offers a discrete way to reduce your craving for a cigarette.
- Available in a range of flavours.
- Peak levels are reached 20 minutes after taking it.
- Available in strengths of 1 mg, 2 mg and 4 mg.
Mini lozenge
The mini lozenge is small, works quickly and can be used whenever you need it. They come in a handy box and are just as discreet to use as eating a mint.
- The peak effect is reached 10 minutes after taking it.
- Available in strengths of 1.5 mg and 4 mg.
Medication to help you give up smoking
How do quit smoking medicines work?
There are several medicines available that reduce the urge to smoke. However, they are not miracle cures; they provide support and, like all medicines, can have side effects. Furthermore, these medicines may not always be safe to take alongside any other medication you may already be using. For this reason, a prescription will only be issued following consultation with your GP or specialist.
Medication is suitable for heavy smokers. Using these methods doubles your chances of success!
Below is an overview of the different types of stop-smoking medicines available.
Bupropion (Zyban)
Zyban is an antidepressant and has been proven effective in helping people to stop smoking. It is not known exactly how Zyban works to treat nicotine addiction. It may help to reduce withdrawal symptoms (physical and psychological dependence) and lessen the urge to smoke.
The course of treatment lasts 8 weeks:
- Days 1 to 6: 150 mg once a day
- From day 7 onwards: 150 mg twice a day
Notryptiline (Nortrilen)
Nortryptiline was originally developed as an antidepressant, but is also prescribed by doctors to help people give up smoking. This is because nortryptiline helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms to some extent, thereby increasing your chances of successfully giving up smoking for good. The exact mechanism by which Nortrilen affects nicotine addiction is not known.
The medicine is available in various strengths. Your doctor can determine the correct dose and strength for you.
Available in strengths of 10 mg, 25 mg and 50 mg.
The course of treatment lasts 12 weeks.
Cytisinicline (Decigatan)
Cytisinicline is a medicine developed to help people give up smoking. Decigatan helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms, thereby increasing the chances of long-term success in giving up smoking.
The course of treatment lasts 25 days:
- Days 1 to 3: one tablet every 2 hours, up to a maximum of 6
- Days 4 to 12: one tablet every 2.5 hours, up to a maximum of 5
- Days 13 to 16: one tablet every 3 hours, up to a maximum of 4
- Days 17 to 20: one tablet every 5 hours, up to a maximum of 3
- Days 21 to 25: one tablet once or twice a day
Varenicline (Champix and Teva)
This is a medication specifically developed to help people stop smoking. It reduces the urge to smoke and alleviates withdrawal symptoms. The duration of a course of treatment (Teva) is 12 weeks:
- Days 1 to 3: 1 low-strength tablet (white tablets) once a day
- Days 4 to 7: 1 low-strength tablet (white tablets) twice a day.
- Day 8: rest day
- Thereafter, the normal maintenance dose of 1 higher-strength tablet (blue tablets) twice a day.