6 / 8
Figure out your NRT dosage
Over-the-counter quit aids come in varying dosages. This allows smokers to start using the right amount based on their cigarette frequency, with the goal of gradually decreasing in order to wean off the products. Remember—you have to be cigarette-free to begin. It is not recommended that you use any NRT while still smoking.
To figure out your correct dosage of gum or lozenge, think about when you have your first cigarette of the day. If it’s within 30 minutes of waking up, start with 4 mg. If you are awake longer than 30 minutes before your first cigarette, begin with 2 mg. Use gum or a lozenge every one to two hours or when you anticipate cravings. Cut back slowly over a period of 12 weeks, with the goal decreasing doses to every four to six hours before stopping.
Nicotine patch therapy is a three-step program. Start with the highest level and gradually step down your dose.
- Step 1—21 mg
- Step 2—14 mg
- Step 3—7 mg
If you smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, you can start at Step 2.
Prescription NRT aids work almost immediately to relieve cravings but require many doses per day. The recommended dosage of nasal spray is 1 to 2 sprays per hour, up to 40 sprays per day.
Inhalers have a nicotine cartridge inside that delivers vapor directly to the bloodstream. These cartridges are inhaled all at once over a 20-minute period.
It’s recommended that smokers use anywhere between 4 and 20 cartridges per day.
Before starting any NRT, it’s best to talk to your doctor. They can help you create a schedule, learn the proper use of each therapy and make you aware of any side effects. Some may recommend combining a patch with another type of NRT to increase their effectiveness.