We are not sure about the exact amount of nicotine required by you. The doctor can find the degree of nicotine dependence. You can be more dependent if you smoke more cigarette each day especially after awakening. You can also find the exact dose of nicotine replacement medication by knowing your degree of dependence.

Treatments and drugs

You can be successful in quitting smoking with some treatments in scientific studies. You can get help from medication as well as counseling. You can cut in half your risks of dying in next 15 years if you have stopped smoking before 50. the heart rate goes down when you smoke after just 20 minutes. The level of carbon dioxide returns to normal in your blood after 12 hours. The lung function and circulation starts within three months.

Medications

You can use different medications including nicotine replacement therapy and non nicotine medication for the treatment of nicotine dependence. You can get help by using more than once medications like nicotine patch with nicotine gum, nasal spray and lozenge to achieve better results. You should talk your doctor if you are unable to quit smoking with different medications. Medication can be helpful to most of people in quitting smoking. You should talk your doctor if you are pregnant or you are under 18 years and you smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes daily.

Nicotine replacement therapy

The nicotine is given without harmful chemicals in tobacco in the nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine does not cause cancer. You can also use gums, patches, nasal sprays and inhalers which can help you in cravings.

You can have nicotine replacement products over the counter.

Nicotine patch (NicoDerm CQ, Habitrol)

The nicotine is delivered through skin and blood stream with the patch and you should wear a new patch daily. Its treatment period is normally for eight weeks or longer. You should not be in hurry to stop using patch especially when you have stopped smoking. You can make adjustments or talk your doctor if you are unable to stop smoking completely after two weeks of treatment.

Nicotine gum

The nicotine gum delivers nicotine in your blood through lining of your mouth. There is 2mg for regular smokers and 4 mg for heavy smokers of this gum and you can use 20 pieces daily. This gum is chewed with the help of which nicotine absorbs gradually in the blood stream.

Nicotine lozenge

The nicotine is delivered to the blood with the lining of your mouth in nicotine lozenge tablet. There are 2mg and 4mg tablets available for regular and heavier smokers. You should use nicotine lozenge every one or two hours and gradually increase the time between treatments. There can be side effects of headache, diarrhea, nausea and heartburn with it.

You can find nicotine replacement products by prescription.

Nicotine nasal spray

The nicotine is sprayed directly into nostrils which absorbs into blood vessels through nasal membrane. This spray should be used for three months to six months and its side effect can be nasal irritation.

Nicotine inhaler

This device is like cigarette holder which provides nicotine with puff. The nicotine is absorbed through the lining of your mouth from where it enters the bloodstream. Throat irritation and occasional coughing can be its side effects.

Non nicotine medications

There are some medications which don’t contain nicotine.

Antidepressants

The levels of the dopamine and norepineephrine which are brain chemicals are boosted by nicotine through antidepressant drugs. You can use bupropion with nicotine patch and it can help you to minimize weight after you quit smoking. There can be sleep problems and dry mouths with these drugs. You should not take this drug if you have problems like head trauma and skull fracture.

Varenicline

The brain nicotine receptors are affected with this medication which reduces the feeling of pleasure you get from smoking. Nausea, headache, insomnia and strange dreams can be its side effects.

Clonidine

This medication can be used for tobacco dependence and it is limited useful as there can be side effects of drowsiness and sedation.

Medications in developments

The researchers are trying to make many new vaccines for nicotine which can immune the system into antibodies to nicotine. This nicotine vaccine will help the smokers to quit smoking.

Counseling, support program and smoking cessation programs

The smokers can get help from counseling while they are using some medications. They will need to have behavioral changes which will help them to stay away from smoking for long time.

There are several types of counseling and support available which can help you in stopping smoking.

Telephone counseling

You can get telephone counseling regardless of your location. You can contact National Cancer Institute’s 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) and American Cancer Society's Quitline at 800-ACS-2345 (800-227-2345).

Individual or group counseling programs

You can also get help from individual or counseling treatment programs provided by specialist. You can come to know about different techniques fro quitting smoking.

Internet based programs

These programs are also very helpful to the people in quitting smoking. There are many websites which provide information about stopping smoking.