What are nicotine replacement therapies?
Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs) are medicines that help decrease or stop a smoker’s withdrawal symptoms by giving controlled doses of nicotine without the other harmful chemicals of cigarette smoke. NRTs are available as patches, gums, inhalers, nasal sprays, or lozenges. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved all of these products to help people quit smoking. Patches, gums, and lozenges are available over-the-counter, but you will need a doctors prescription for inhalers and nasal sprays. These products work by helping smokers control their physical responses as they quit. For best results, smokers should use NRTs along with behavioral change programs that are designed to help smokers break their psychological (mental) dependence on cigarettes. For more information on such programs, call the EIU Health Service at 217-581-2727. Not everyone can use nicotine replacement therapy. People with certain medical conditions and pregnant women should use it only with a doctor
