Medications:
over-the-counter and prescription nicotine replacement products – gum, patch, lozenge, inhaler, nasal spray
prescription non-nicotine medications – bupropion and varenicline
There are currently seven FDA approved medications available for individuals to help deal with symptoms of withdrawal.
Counseling includes individual, group or
telephone and can be:
Although a combination of medication and counseling improves quit rates more than either method alone, some individuals may not want counseling. Individuals should be able to receive medications through their benefits without conditions, such as - in order to receive medications one must sign up for counseling as well. This may discourage individuals from obtaining the help they want and need.
Quitlines, or telephone help lines, are tobacco cessation counseling that offer treatment for addiction and behavior change over the telephone. Smokers are more likely to use telephone quitlines than participate in group or individual counseling.
Quitlines have been shown to increase abstinence from tobacco use by as much as 30-50%. They are effective and when used with tobacco cessation medication, have been shown to increase quit rates. More than half of state quitlines available provide free medications, although some may have eligibility requirements.