I'll start off by mentioning that I work in a university department where we do a lot of research into stop-smoking aids. We hold this stuff in high regard, mainly for the reasons set out in the next paragraph. Bear in mind, though, that the rest of this review is based on my own experience of using it (and several other products) and shouldn't be taken as gospel.
Nicorette nasal spray is one of the strongest, fastest acting nicotine replacements on the market. The nicotine is absorbed into the bloodstream and hits the brain in about 15 minutes. The theory behind using the nasal spray instead of patches is that patches give you a constant, medium amount of nicotine in your blood, whereas cigarettes give you a massive hit within a minute or two, and then fade away over time. Patches therefore take away some of the side effects of quitting smoking, like heartburn and that horrible "empty-stomach" feeling, but don't do all that much for cravings. Using a spray gives you that "big-hit" (albeit a bit more slowly than cigarettes) so it's good for taking away those acute "got to have a fag right now" cravings. If you have "routine" cigarettes, say during your coffee break, try taking this 15 minutes before. It should help.
The downside is that it's bloody unpleasant to use. For the first couple of days, you'll feel like your nose and throat have been set on fire each time you use it. This doesn't last long (a minute or two, at worst) and it gets better with time, but I wouldn't say it ever becomes pleasant. That said, it's less likely to make you throw up than some of the hayfever sprays on the market, so if you're used to them then you shouldn't have a problem.
The one thing it won't help with is the "ritual" aspect of smoking - holding a cigarette in your hands and puffing. If that's the thing you really miss, you might do better with one of the inhalators. For real cravings, though, this is as good as it gets.
It's important to remember that there is no "Magic bullet" to stop you smoking. If you still really enjoy smoking (rather than just do it because you have to) neither this, nor any other product, will help. Go to a counsellor, or take a trip round a cancer ward instead. All nicotine replacements just make it easer for people who **REALLY** want to quit to do so. If you try this, or anything else when you're not in the right frame of mind, it won't work. If that happens, you shouldn't let that put you off trying it again when you really are in the right frame of mind to quit. It will probably be more helpful then.
If you want to try this spray, it's a good idea to go and see your doctor. (S)he can give you a prescription for it so it's about a third of the pharmacy price (or free if you're a pensioner or on benefits).
One last thing - this is strong stuff. If you're only a light smoker, start off by trying gum or low dose patches instead. This spray will make you nauseous if you're not used to quite a lot of nicotine.
Good luck!
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Jul 8th, 2006
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