Drug therapies to treat nicotine addiction
- Addiction to nicotine is treated using an agonist substitution method where a safer alternative to tobacco smoking is provided to patients (nicotine replacement therapy)
- Varenicline is a prescription medication that acts as an agonist on the nicotinic receptors in the brain and stimulates dopamine release in exactly the same way as nicotine
- Varenicline is used to help those who want to give up smoking without using nicotine replacement therapy in chewing gum or skin patches
- Nicotine replacement therapy delivers nicotine in mouth sprays, chewing gum or small pouches that rest between the cheek and the gums or skin patches
- The nicotine in these products is usually less than the regular smoker is inhaling, is released into the bloodstream more slowly and does not contain the harmful chemicals that are found in cigarettes.
- The amount of nicotine is reduced gradually over time, with the withdrawal symptoms managed over a period of two to three months until the person can give up nicotine completely
A nicotine patch contains a controlled dose and is usually applied to the arm.