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Patient Education

Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Quitting Smoking: Should I Use Medicine?

You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them.

Quitting Smoking: Should I Use Medicine?

Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.

Get the facts

Your options

  • Use medicine to help you quit smoking. This may include nicotine replacement products.
  • Don't use medicine or nicotine replacement products to help you quit smoking.

Key points to remember

  • Using medicines and nicotine replacement products (patches, gum, lozenges, nasal spray, and inhalers) can increase your chances of quitting smoking. They can relieve nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms.
  • Getting counseling along with using medicine or nicotine replacement products can raise your chances of quitting even more.
  • Nicotine replacement products may cause some side effects, such as problems with sleep or red and itchy skin with the patch. Medicines in pill form can cause nausea, dry mouth, and trouble sleeping.
  • Nicotine replacement products have less nicotine than cigarettes. And by itself, nicotine is not nearly as harmful as smoking. The tars, carbon monoxide, and other toxic chemicals in tobacco cause the harmful effects.
  • Some insurance companies may pay for all or part of the cost of quit-smoking medicines.

FAQs

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Current as of: November 15, 2023

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.