Available research shows that nicotine replacement generally increases rates of smoking cessation. Therefore, except in the presence of serious medical precautions, the clinician should encourage the use of nicotine replacement with patients who smoke. If nicotine replacement is to be used with light smokers, a lower starting dose of the nicotine patch or nicotine gum should be considered. Patients should be prescribed the patch dosages outlined in Strategy 5.
Research supports tailoring nicotine gum treatment.
Clinicians may also recommend the higher gum dosage if patients request it or have failed to quit using the 2-mg gum. Although both pharmacotherapies are efficacious, nicotine patch therapy is preferable for routine clinical use. Nicotine patch therapy requires less clinician time and effort to train patients in its effective use. Previous failure with the nicotine patch.