Nicotine Patch Study

U.S. government data shows approximately 75% of women daily smokers are interested in quitting, and of these nearly 47% attempted to quit during the previous year. Unfortunately, among those who do quit, only 7% are still tobacco-free one year later. Now, new research shows perhaps we need to rethink how we use the nicotine patch.

"I try to quit every day of my life. I fail. One time I quit for like 3 weeks and then ya go back." Meghan Librizzi regrets that she took up smoking her freshman year of college. But while she wishes she could quit, she chooses not to go for the nicotine patch. "I don't feel like it would work. So I don't want to be paying for the cigarettes and the patch or the gum, because I think they are pricey."

Megan may in fact be correct about the lack of effectiveness of nicotine patches, at least, in women. New research shows that the patch fails to work in the long run in many women, at least when used alone and in it's current recommended dosage schedule. In fact, three months after quitting, the study shows the patch's effectiveness wanes; many take up smoking again.

Dr. Elliot Wineburg, a smoking cessation specialist at Mt. Sinai Hospital, says, "Well it could well be that they picked the wrong size of the patch. The patch which has to equal the nicotine use that you have so if somebody takes a heavy heavy cigarette the one patch won't cover it."

Part of the problem with the nicotine patch is that many people who use them do so without counseling and they don't follow the directions and that sets them up for failure.But while the reason the patch doesn't work as well in women is not clear, there may be several factors: women may be more prone to nicotine withdrawal symptoms including depression and anxiety, as well as weight gain.

The authors suggest that perhaps women should either get longer courses of nicotine replacement therapy, and almost certainly, they should get regular counseling in some form, either at the doctor's office or in groups therapies.Another study found teens rarely stay completely off cigarettes after using the patch…only 7 percent of those researched were able to completely kick the habit.

However, many do cut down on the number of cigarettes they smoked. The researchers say counseling is advised for teens trying to kick the habit. The drug zyban add anything to the patch when it comes to teens according to the latest study. But in adult women, some research has shown that zyban does make a significant difference, and so it might be considered in addition to the patch in women, if not every adult.

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