Scope
This program is aimed at all admitted patients who show motivation to quit smoking or by prescription.

Indication of nicotine replacement therapy (TSN)

It consists of the administration of nicotine through a different route to cigarette consumption, in sufficient doses to avoid withdrawal syndrome and without creating dependence.

The basis of this treatment lies in the kinetics of nicotine in the body. After each puff, nicotine quickly reaches high concentrations in the blood reaching the brain in less than 9 seconds and stimulating neuroreceptors.

Various types of devices are used to supply nicotine: chewing gum, patches, mouth spray and sublingual tablets. None of these reach nicotine peaks as high as those obtained with cigarettes, although they do reach levels above 10ng / ml, which are sufficient to significantly decrease the intensity of the symptoms of the syndrome. of abstinence.

Nicotine patches - Mechanism of action

It is a transdermal nicotine dispensing system, consisting of a thin layer of adhesion to the skin, above which a nicotine reservoir appears.

Nicotine release is performed progressively, maintaining stable levels during the time of use.

The agreed day to quit smoking (Day D) is non-smoking, and the patch should be placed daily on a clean, dry, hairless area of ​​skin and the placement area should be changed daily (face anterior of the forearm, pelvis or thorax).

The patches currently marketed differ by the hours and amount of nicotine they can supply.

There are 24-hour release patches, which are kept on throughout the day, releasing doses of 21, 14 and 7 mg of nicotine; and 16-hour patches releasing doses of 15, 10, and 5 mg of nicotine, which are placed during the day. Both can be used in smokers with high, moderate or low dependence, varying the doses and time of use.

Indication of treatment according to dependence

The level of dependency must be easily assessed according to the following criteria:

• LOW DEPENDENCE: Consumption <20 cigarettes / day or time between getting up in the morning and smoking the first cigarette> 30 minutes.
• HIGH DEPENDENCE: Consumption> 20 cigarettes / day or time between getting up in the morning and smoking the first cigarette <30 minutes.