Quitting smoking linked to demographic factors.
Quitting smoking linked to demographic factors.
Some Nicotine Replacement Therapies May Work Better Than Others for Smokers
March 15, 2004 -- For smokers who want to quit, choosing the right nicotine replacement therapy that can help them kick the habit may depend on what kind of smoker they are.
There are many types of nicotine replacement therapies, including chewing gums, nasal sprays, and patches that are placed on the skin. But a new study shows that the degree of success smokers have quitting with each of them may depend on their weight, ethnicity, and level of nicotine dependence.
Overall, researchers found nicotine patches and nasal sprays were about equally effective in helping smokers quit, but those who were successful on each therapy tended to share certain characteristics. If more studies confirm these findings, smokers may have a little help in selecting the most appropriate form of nicotine replacement therapy.
For the study, published in the March 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers randomly divided 299 smokers who wanted to quit and smoked more than nine cigarettes per day into two groups that received either a nicotine skin patch or a nasal spray. Both forms of nicotine replacement therapy were given in gradually decreasing doses for eight weeks.
All of the participants also received counseling on how to manage smoking triggers, prevent relapse, and deal with stress.
Six months later, researchers found 12% of those who used nicotine nasal sprays and 15% of those given nicotine patches had quit smoking. But when they looked at the successful quitters on each type of nicotine replacement therapy, they found certain common characteristics.
Smokers who were most successful using the nicotine nasal spray tended to be:
In contrast, those who were able to quit smoking using the nicotine patch were:
Researchers say the findings show that ethnicity, weight, and level of nicotine dependence may help determine which smokers would fare better with one form of nicotine replacement therapy versus another. But those recommendations will have to be verified by more studies.
Nicotine Patch or Spray: Which Is Best You?
Some Nicotine Replacement Therapies May Work Better Than Others for Smokers
March 15, 2004 -- For smokers who want to quit, choosing the right nicotine replacement therapy that can help them kick the habit may depend on what kind of smoker they are.
There are many types of nicotine replacement therapies, including chewing gums, nasal sprays, and patches that are placed on the skin. But a new study shows that the degree of success smokers have quitting with each of them may depend on their weight, ethnicity, and level of nicotine dependence.
Overall, researchers found nicotine patches and nasal sprays were about equally effective in helping smokers quit, but those who were successful on each therapy tended to share certain characteristics. If more studies confirm these findings, smokers may have a little help in selecting the most appropriate form of nicotine replacement therapy.
Personal Characteristics May Determine Success
For the study, published in the March 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers randomly divided 299 smokers who wanted to quit and smoked more than nine cigarettes per day into two groups that received either a nicotine skin patch or a nasal spray. Both forms of nicotine replacement therapy were given in gradually decreasing doses for eight weeks.
All of the participants also received counseling on how to manage smoking triggers, prevent relapse, and deal with stress.
Six months later, researchers found 12% of those who used nicotine nasal sprays and 15% of those given nicotine patches had quit smoking. But when they looked at the successful quitters on each type of nicotine replacement therapy, they found certain common characteristics.
Smokers who were most successful using the nicotine nasal spray tended to be:
- Highly dependent on nicotine at the start of the study
- Obese
- A member of a minority group
In contrast, those who were able to quit smoking using the nicotine patch were:
- Less dependent upon nicotine at the start of the study,
- Not obese
- White
Researchers say the findings show that ethnicity, weight, and level of nicotine dependence may help determine which smokers would fare better with one form of nicotine replacement therapy versus another. But those recommendations will have to be verified by more studies.
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