March 1996 was the time when the nicotine nasal spray became available by prescription. It has become one of the popular ways to quit smoking and has helped many lose their addiction to cigarettes.

The nasal spray is available in a pump bottle which is sprayed once into each nostril. If you make the decision to use the spray, then it is vitally important not to inhale at the same time as you are spraying. This is because the nicotine needs to be attached to the nasal lining.

It is when it is attached to the nasal lining that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. If you inhale at the same time as spraying, then the nicotine will finish up in your throat and be swallowed. If the nicotine is swallowed, the nasal spray will not work, because the acids that are in your stomach destroy the nicotine.

Begin by using 16 to 80 sprays daily, which is 8 to 40 doses. Every bottle of nasal spray contains approximately 200 sprays. Therefore, you will use one-quarter to one-half of a bottle every day.

The spray can be used up to five times an hour. The number of sprays will be reduced over a period of three months. However, you may find that you need to continue for a longer period of time.

The nicotine nasal spray comes with common complaints including nasal, eye and sinus irritation. Other methods of nicotine replacement therapies should be used by those people that suffer with asthma, as the spray could induce an attack. Other methods should also be used by people with allergies, as a stuffy nose will block the nicotine in the spray from being absorbed into the body.

Nicotine Inhaler

Nicotine inhalers are also available by prescription. They work in exactly the same way as other nicotine products. The only difference is that the inhaler directly places the medication into the lungs, which allows the nicotine to enter the bloodstream much more quickly.

The inhaler is made of plastic and is shaped like a cigarette. It is held and inhaled in exactly the same way as you would smoke a cigarette.

The plastic inhaler contains small cartridges that contain nicotine. Air passes through the cartridges when you inhale. This air then turns the nicotine in the cartridges into a vapor.

The lungs and bloodstream then absorb the vapor as it is inhaled. Whilst nicotine inhalers provide the body with nicotine, they omit the harmful tars, carbon monoxide, and smoke of cigarettes.

There is approximately 20 minutes worth of active puffing in each nicotine cartridge. This adds up to approximately 80 deep puffs or 300 shallow puffs. If the entire cartridge is not used, the nicotine will remain in the inhaler, so that you can use it later.

Typically 6 to 16 cartridges are used every day by those people choosing this method. The dose is then generally reduced over a period of 6 to 12 weeks.

The nicotine inhaler can be used for longer than several months if required, just the same as with other nicotine replacement products. Certain people reduce the usage of the inhaler over six months.

As with any form of nicotine replacement products, people that suffer with stomach ulcers, heart problems, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, kidney or liver disease, asthma, and diabetes requiring insulin should be exceptionally careful when using these stop smoking products.