NRT and Medications
Stepping away from smoking is a challenge, but with the right support, it becomes much more achievable.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and specialised medications provide a path to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms, making your journey to a smoke-free life smoother.
- Alleviates Withdrawal Symptoms
- Enhances Success Rates
- Variety of Options
- Safety First
Why Choose NRT?
Embarking on a journey to quit smoking is a commendable step, and having the right tools can significantly enhance your chances of success.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) eases the tough transition by providing a controlled nicotine dose, softening those tricky withdrawal pangs.
Did you know? Using NRT can double your chances of successfully quitting¹.
Plus, with options from patches to gums and lozenges, there’s an NRT method for everyone.
Safety-wise, NRT’s a smarter pick than smoking, helping to gradually cut nicotine cravings².
Best part? Our service offers NRT for free. Here’s to your healthier, smoke-free future!
Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) UK. “Use of e-cigarettes among adults in Great Britain 2021.” ↩
Types of NRT
There are many types of Nicotine Replacement Therapy products. Please speak with our specialist team to discuss what might work best for you.
The patch releases nicotine directly into the bloodstream through the skin.
There are two ways to use patches: just during the time you are awake (16-hour patches) or both day and night (24-hour patches.
Patches come in different strengths with the aim to gradually reduce the strength over time before stopping the use of patches completely.
The spray delivers a dose of nicotine through the lining of your nose.
This is a fast-acting product, reaching the brain within minutes to help relieve cravings.
The inhalator is a small plastic device and comes with cartridges which contain nicotine.
Nicotine vapour is released via a ‘puffing’ or ‘sucking’ action which gets absorbed through your mouth. Inhalators work well for people who miss the ‘hand to mouth’ action of smoking.
Nicotine in the gum is absorbed through the lining of your mouth. Nicotine is released by chewing the gum until the taste becomes strong or hot. The gum is then ‘parked’ inside your cheek, and when the taste fades, you chew again to release more nicotine. Gum should be discarded within 30mins.
Gum use should be cut down gradually as your quit progresses.
Lozenges are placed in the mouth and dissolve slowly to release nicotine, in a similar way to nicotine gum.
To release the nicotine from the lozenge, suck until the taste becomes strong or hot. Then rest the lozenge inside your cheek – when the taste fades, suck again to release more nicotine. Lozenges take around 20 minutes to dissolve completely.
Varenicline (previously called Champix) is now available at Smokefree County Durham!
Varenicline is a medication that reduces nicotine cravings and urges to smoke.
Alongside this, you’ll receive 12 weeks of free support from one of our Specialist Practitioners to help you quit smoking for good!
At your first appointment, your Specialist Practitioner will chat to you about all your options, including Varenicline. All of our usual *free NRT options are still available, including patches, inhalators and vapes, if you’re unable to or don’t want to use Varenicline.
*Our Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products and vapes are completely free throughout your 12-week quit attempt. However, Varenicline is a prescribed medication, so your normal prescription charges will apply.
Zyban is a prescription only medication that we will source directly from your GP.
It comes in tablet from, which you will take for 8 week.
Speak to your stop smoking advisor for more information on medication.
Who we can support
Our free programmes are available to:
Local Residents
Aged 12 and over
So if you meet the above, please contact us today and start your journey towards better health.