Who should use the nicotine patch or nicotine gum?
Research shows that almost everyone can benefit from using the patch or gum. If you are pregnant or have heart or blood vessel problems, your health care provider will be especially careful about giving you the patch or gum. How do I know what strength is right for me? The patch: Most smokers should start using a full-strength patch (15-22 mg of nicotine) daily for 4 weeks and then use a weaker patch for another 4 weeks (5-14 mg of nicotine). The gum: Many smokers should start using the 2-mg dose. However, you may want to use 4-mg gum if you: • Smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day • Smoke as soon as you wake up in the morning • Have severe withdrawal symptoms when you don’t smoke • Have tried and failed to quit on a lower dose If you are a very light smoker (less than 10-15 cigarettes a day) or have health problems, a health care provider can help you select the right dose. Should I use the nicotine gum or the nicotine patch? Both treatments can help once you are ready to quit. The choi
