NRT Should Be Used Before Quit Date Say Researchers

This research shows the importance of preparation for quitting smoking

The general idea is that when using nicotine replacement therapy whether in the form of a patch or with chewing gum is that you should start to take it exactly at the same time as you stop smoking, so that it can compensate for the sudden lack of nicotine in your bloodstream.  However new research shows that by using a nicotine patch for some time before you actually stop smoking you can double your chances of success.

According to the Duke University Medical Center the labeling which accompanies smoking cessation patches warns that you should not smoke and use the patches at the same time.  However the Duke researchers said this should be changed after their study with more than 400 individuals.

The study volunteers who on average smoked over twenty cigarettes a day were put into four different groups randomly. They were even given a placebo patch or a real nicotine patch for two weeks before the quit date and then all of the participants were assigned real nicotine patches.  The idea was to see whether those individuals who were given the real nicotine before the quit date would quit smoking in greater numbers.

Interestingly and very significantly the chances of quitting for a minimum of ten weeks was double for those who use real nicotine patches, [and not the placebo] for the two weeks prior to the quit date.  [Twenty two percent compared to eleven percent].

The participants were also either told to carry on smoking their regular cigarettes until the quit date or to start using lower tar and nicotine brands. There was no difference in the quit rate in these two groups.

This research shows the importance of preparation for quitting smoking not only by planning out strategies but also because it helps to prepare psychologically too. The very effective smoking cessation medication Champix is designed to be taken for two weeks prior to quitting and as well as there being a physical biological reason for this it is also helps to focus individuals on the quit date two weeks ahead and prepare for it mentally.

At Ukmedix News we hope that more research is done in the area of psychological preparedness for quitting smoking as we suspect that the results will show the importance of it.