Advantages: Easy to use and they DO reduce cravings Disadvantages: Side effects
Yesterday I tentatively placed my first Nicotinell patch on my arm, and I haven't had a cigarette since. I feel ghastly.
Whether this is because of the patches, or because I'm giving up a long-standing addiction, I don't know. I guess a bit of both.
This review is for all those thinking of giving up and doing it the patch way, just to let you know how it is in those initial, very hard stages. When I've given up totally, I will come back and update.
There are 3 sizes of Nicotinell patch - 1 (21 mg nicotine over 24 hours), 2 (14 mg) and 3 (7 mg). You wear each patch for 24 hours. As I was a 20 a day smoker (more at weekends or if drinking), I've started on Size 1, and will work down to size 3 and then none over the course of 6-12 weeks depending how I feel. I bought them from Tesco's pharmacy and they cost just under £18 (a ...
Advantages: Nicotine is still delivered into your needy blood stream Disadvantages: It's not quite the same as a satisfying, long pull on a much needed cigarette, contains loads of E numbers and doesn't taste that nice
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Things I like about Nicotinell -
1. Clear and easy to read instructions.
2. It's a recognised brand name that's been around for years.
3. At £3.74 for a pack of 24 pieces of gum it was a bargain.
4. It appears to be marketed with honesty.
Things I'm not quite so keen on -
1. The mint flavouring thin is really just a "ruse"; it's not even as strong as a polo mint.
2. I wouldn't pay full price for it even though it is cheaper than cigarettes.
3. The level of "E" numbers used in the ingredients.
4. Coffee, juices and fizzy drinks may reduce the absorption of nicotine and shouldn't be taken for 15 minutes before chewing the gum - surely they can get round this problem?
On the whole, so far so good. If you do decided to use gum as your Nicotine Replacement Therapy of choice you do need to ensure you read and follow ...
Advantages: They are really effective in curbing cravings, Easy to use. Disadvantages: If you exercise alot the patch can fall off, It can give you really weird dreams.
problem I had while using these patches was the dreams I had. They became particularly vivid as my body was being supplied with nicotine during the night. The dreams did happen less often though as I lowered the dosage. When lowering the dosage I only really felt a bit on edge and moody, but this subsided after a few days. The only other problem i had was when i applied the smaller step3 patch it sometimes came off during exercising. I solved this problem by applying surgical spirit to where I put my patch on; it dries the area out a bit so the adheisive sticks better.
I would definetaly recommend the nicotinell patch programme to others, it has really made giving up smoking so much easier :-)
Nicotinell patches are available on prescription now (I think you are allowed one course of reduced patches), you can also buy them in most shops ...
