Symptom Finder - Treatment of Nicotine Addiction
NICOTINE ADDICTION
1. Nicotine gum (Nicorette): If patient has been smoking greater than 25 cigarettes a day, have patient chew one 4 mg piece of gum q1– 2hrs PRN.
2. If patient has been smoking less than 25 cigarettes a day, have patient chew one 2 mg piece of gum q–2hrs (9–12 pieces/day) for 3 weeks.
3. NicoDerm transdermal (NicoDerm CQ): For greater than 10 cigarettes a day, start with 21 mg patch daily for 6 weeks, then 14 mg patch daily for 2 weeks.
4. If patient is smoking less than 10 cigarettes a day begin with 14 mg patch daily for 6 weeks and then 7 mg patch for 2 weeks.
5. Varenicline (Chantix) beginning with 0.5 mg daily for 3 days, then 0.5 mg bid for 4 days, then 1 mg daily increasing to 1 mg bid for 12 weeks if 1 mg dose is tolerated.
1. Nicotine gum (Nicorette): If patient has been smoking greater than 25 cigarettes a day, have patient chew one 4 mg piece of gum q1– 2hrs PRN.
2. If patient has been smoking less than 25 cigarettes a day, have patient chew one 2 mg piece of gum q–2hrs (9–12 pieces/day) for 3 weeks.
3. NicoDerm transdermal (NicoDerm CQ): For greater than 10 cigarettes a day, start with 21 mg patch daily for 6 weeks, then 14 mg patch daily for 2 weeks.
4. If patient is smoking less than 10 cigarettes a day begin with 14 mg patch daily for 6 weeks and then 7 mg patch for 2 weeks.
5. Varenicline (Chantix) beginning with 0.5 mg daily for 3 days, then 0.5 mg bid for 4 days, then 1 mg daily increasing to 1 mg bid for 12 weeks if 1 mg dose is tolerated.
