Hello doctor, I am a 28 year old male and a regular smoker. I do smoke 10-15 cigarettes a day and have been smoking like this for almost 10 years now. When I started, I used different brands, from ultra mild to regular bidis. But now, for almost 3 years I am stuck with regular gold flake.Now, I am desperate about quitting smoking. I tried not to smoke for a day. But the next day, I would return back to the same. Recently, I came to know about a chewing gum called nicotex. It comes in 2 mg and 4 mg form. But I am not sure about this product. So my question is, does cipla nicotex chewing gum help in quitting smoking? Also to buy this chewing gum, do I need a doctor's prescription?
Hello. As you have been a chronic smoker since last 10 years smoking 10-15 cigarettes per day, the body is presently addicted to nicotine and hence if you intend to leave it for a day, the nicotine withdrawal sets in. This may include: These Nicotex chewing gums have nicotine in them in varying concentrations which allow a sustained but minimal release of nicotine while chewing. This nicotine is absorbed through buccal mucosa thus not allowing the withdrawal symptoms to become evident, but the benefit is that you are free from most of the side effects of smoking per se, especially the smoke entering into lungs which may lead to lung diseases in future. This is a substitute to nicotine supplementation and is being prescribed for chronic smokers who wish to discontinue it slowly by following the principle of slow desensitization. These are available off the counter and no prescription is required for the same. You may try it and try to reduce your smoking urges. In the end, Nicotex can just help you in a way but you need to develop a will to quit smoking and that is very important. You may try and see how you respond to it as every person responds differently to its use. It has been seen to give successful outcomes, but again will power is still the most important thing behind quitting smoking.