| Behavioural therapy, advice and support will normally improve the success rate. Smoking cessation Adults (over 18 years of age) The patient should make every effort to stop smoking completely during treatment with Nicorette Microtab. The initial dose is based on the individual's nicotine dependence. The tablet is used sublingually with a recommended dose of one tablet per hour or, for heavy smokers (smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day), two tablets per hour. Increasing to two tablets per hour may be considered for patients who fail to stop smoking with the one tablet-per-hour regimen or for those whose nicotine withdrawal symptoms remain so strong as to foresee a relapse.Most smokers require 8 to 12 or 16 to 24 tablets per day, not to exceed 40 tablets. The duration of treatment is individual, but up to three months of treatment is recommended. The nicotine dose should then be gradually reduced, by decreasing the total number of tablets used per day. The treatment should be stopped when the daily consumption is down to one or two tablets. Adults who use NRT beyond 9 months are recommended to seek additional help and advice from a healthcare professional.Adolescents (12 to 18 years) The patient should make every effort to stop smoking completely during treatment with Nicorette Microtab. The initial dose is based on the individual's nicotine dependence. The tablet is used sublingually with a recommended dose of one tablet per hour or, for heavy smokers (smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day), two tablets per hour. Increasing to two tablets per hour may be considered for patients who fail to stop smoking with the one tablet-per-hour regimen or for those whose nicotine withdrawal symptoms remain so strong as to foresee a relapse.Most smokers require 8 to 12 or 16 to 24 tablets per day, not to exceed 40 tablets. Use for up to 8 weeks to break the habit of smoking, then gradually reduce the dose over a 4 week period. The treatment should be stopped when the daily consumption is down to one or two tablets. As data are limited in this age group, the recommended duration of treatment is 12 weeks. If longer treatment is required, advice from a healthcare professional should be sought. Smoking reduction Adults (over 18 years of age) Use Nicorette Microtab between smoking episodes to manage the urge to smoke, to prolong smoke-free intervals and with the intention to reduce smoking as much as possible. If a reduction in number of cigarettes per day has not been achieved after 6 weeks, professional advice should be sought.A quit attempt should be made as soon as the smoker feels ready, but not later than 6 months after start of treatment. If a quit attempt cannot be made within 9 months after starting treatment, professional advice should be sought.When making a quit attempt the smoking cessation instructions above can be followed.Adolescents (12 to 18 years) Where adolescents are motivated to stop smoking abruptly, smoking cessation should be recommended. However, smoking reduction can be considered where adolescents are not ready or able to stop smoking abruptly. As data are limited in this age group, and the recommended duration of NRT is 12 weeks, adolescents should consult a healthcare professional before starting the “smoking reduction prior to stopping” regimen.Use Nicorette Microtab between smoking episodes to manage the urge to smoke, to prolong smoke-free intervals and with the intention to reduce smoking as much as possible. If a reduction in number of cigarettes per day has not been achieved after 6 weeks, professional advice should be sought.A quit attempt should be made as soon as the smoker feels ready, but not later than 6 months after start of treatment. If a quit attempt cannot be made within 9 months after starting treatment, professional advice should be sought.When making a quit attempt the smoking cessation instructions for adolescents (12 to 18 years) given above can be followed. | |
