Longer nicotine-patch therapy extends abstinence
Smokers who use nicotine patches for longer than the standard eight weeks may stay off cigarettes for a longer period as well.
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Smokers who use nicotine patches for longer than the standard eight weeks may stay off cigarettes for a longer period as well.
Researchers studied 568 adults wanting to quit smoking, and compared the effects of standard nicotine-patch use with extended therapy - that is, six months versus the two months recommended by manufacturers. They randomly assigned participants to use 21-milligram nicotine patches for either the standard eight weeks or 24 weeks. Those on the standard therapy were given placebo (inactive) patches for the rest of the treatment period. All patients were also offered counselling.
Overall, extended-therapy patients were 81 percent more likely to be abstinent at the six-month mark. They were also 47 percent more likely to get back on track after any smoking relapses over the six-month treatment period.
Side effects were similar in the standard and extended-therapy groups, with half of patients in each group reporting symptoms such as headache, skin irritation and sleep problems at some point during their treatment.
However, once patients stopped using the patches, the benefits of extended therapy faded. One year into the study, 14 percent were still abstinent - identical to the percentage in the standard-therapy group.
The implication is that extended therapy can lead to extended abstinence, at least as long at the treatment is maintained.
However, further research is necessary to see what the optimal duration of nicotine-patch therapy is - though this will vary from person to person. Studies should also look at whether additional therapies, such as intensive behaviour counselling or medication, boost the long-term success of extended patch use.
No single quit tactic works for everyone, and a number of studies have suggested that some smokers do better on a combination of therapies.
Researchers studied 568 adults wanting to quit smoking, and compared the effects of standard nicotine-patch use with extended therapy - that is, six months versus the two months recommended by manufacturers. They randomly assigned participants to use 21-milligram nicotine patches for either the standard eight weeks or 24 weeks. Those on the standard therapy were given placebo (inactive) patches for the rest of the treatment period. All patients were also offered counselling.
Overall, extended-therapy patients were 81 percent more likely to be abstinent at the six-month mark. They were also 47 percent more likely to get back on track after any smoking relapses over the six-month treatment period.
Side effects were similar in the standard and extended-therapy groups, with half of patients in each group reporting symptoms such as headache, skin irritation and sleep problems at some point during their treatment.
However, once patients stopped using the patches, the benefits of extended therapy faded. One year into the study, 14 percent were still abstinent - identical to the percentage in the standard-therapy group.
The implication is that extended therapy can lead to extended abstinence, at least as long at the treatment is maintained.
However, further research is necessary to see what the optimal duration of nicotine-patch therapy is - though this will vary from person to person. Studies should also look at whether additional therapies, such as intensive behaviour counselling or medication, boost the long-term success of extended patch use.
No single quit tactic works for everyone, and a number of studies have suggested that some smokers do better on a combination of therapies.
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