Who can use nicotine replacement therapy?
Almost anyone can use nicotine replacement therapy (sometimes called NRT). The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA), the government body that checks the safety of drugs in the UK, says that you can use NRT if:[1] • You are 12 years old or older. But if you are under 18, you should talk to a pharmacist, nurse, or doctor if you want to use NRT for more than three months • You are breastfeeding. The amount of nicotine your baby gets from breast milk is likely to be less than the amount they breathe in from your cigarette smoke. But it is best to use gum, lozenges, or inhalers rather than patches. And you should avoid using NRT just before you feed your baby • You have diabetes. You may need to monitor your blood sugar more often than usual because nicotine can affect this. But smokers who have diabetes are at risk of heart disease, so it is important to try to give up. • You have heart disease or have had a stroke. You should talk to your doctor before you start u
