Health Centres - Nicorette inhalator
How does it work?
Nicorette inhalator contains nicotine. It is a type of medicine known as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and is used to help smokers give up the habit.
Nicotine is the addictive substance present in tobacco. Smokers who try to give up often experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes, because they are dependent on the nicotine in tobacco. Withdrawal symptoms can include irritability, headaches, restlessness, insomnia and difficulty concentrating. These, combined with cigarette cravings, are why it is difficult for some people to give up smoking.
Nicotine replacement therapies work by giving you a small amount of nicotine, but without the dangerous effects of inhaling tobacco smoke. This helps relieve the withdrawal symptoms and cravings for a cigarette that you get when you stop smoking, and allows you to get on with breaking the psychological habit of smoking. If you are physically addicted to nicotine, using NRT has been shown to almost double your chances of successfully quitting smoking.
The Nicorette inhalator is a mouthpiece with a replaceable nicotine cartidge. You inhale through the mouthpiece in the same way as smoking a cigarette. This causes the nicotine in the cartridge to vaporise and it is then absorbed through the mucous membranes in the mouth, rather than travelling into the lungs. The inhalator can be useful for people who miss the physical act of smoking, or need to do something with their hands when quitting.
The inhalator can be used to reduce your cravings for a cigarette after you have stopped smoking completely. You should use it when you have an urge to smoke and this will help you to break the smoking habit and not start smoking again.
If you are not yet ready to stop smoking completely, Nicorette inhalator is also licensed to help you to cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke each day, by using the inhalator instead of having a cigarette. This can make it easier to eventually stop smoking completely. However, if you haven't managed to cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke a day within six weeks of starting to use the inhalator, you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. You should make a quit attempt as soon as you feel ready, but not later than six months after starting to cut down using the inhalator. Seek advice from your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you find this difficult.
When you quit smoking completely, it is recommended that you use the inhalator whenever you have a craving, for eight weeks after stopping smoking. After this time your psychological urge to smoke should be less. You should then be able to gradually reduce the number of cartridges you use, so that you are using less and less nicotine. (It is rare to become dependent on the inhalator.
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