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- Quitting & Your Health
- All Quitting Medications
- Over-The-Counter (OTC) Medications
- Compare Over the Counter (OTC) Medications
Compare Over the Counter (OTC) Medications
All FDA-approved medications can help you manage cravings and other symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
You’d put a bandage over a blister that’s irritating your foot on a hike so that you can keep going comfortably. Think of withdrawal symtoms as that irritating blister on your quitting journey. Quitting medications make your climb more comfortable so you can enjoy the view and get to the top.
Learn more about your options for the best medication to help you to quit.
Compare Pros and Cons of OTC Medications
| Show Answer / Hide AnswerNicotine Gum |
Pros of nicotine gum
- No prescription needed, available over the counter
- Comes in different flavors and two strengths (4mg and 2mg)
- Flexible and convenient - You are in control of how often you use it
- Can be used regularly and when you feel withdrawal symptoms or cravings coming on
- Gets nicotine into your body faster than patches or quit-smoking pills
- Can be used with the patch to deal with extra strong cravings
- You put it in your mouth, which can help substitute for a cigarette
- Can help delay weight gain that sometimes goes along with quitting
Cons of nicotine gum
- May not be a good choice if you have dental problems or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
- Must use often during the day to maintain nicotine levels
| Show Answer / Hide AnswerNicotine Lozenges |
Pros of nicotine lozenges
- No prescription needed, available over the counter
- Easy to use
- Comes in two sizes: regular and “mini” (the mini lozenge dissolves more rapidly that the standard size)
- Comes in two strengths (4mg and 2mg)
- Flexible and convenient - You are in control of how often you use it
- Can be used regularly and when you feel withdrawal symptoms or cravings coming on
- Faster delivery of nicotine than patches or quit-smoking pills
- Can be used with the patch for more support
- You put it in your mouth, which can help substitute for a cigarette
- Can help delay weight gain that sometimes goes along with quitting
Cons of nicotine lozenges
- Must use often during the day to keep nicotine levels high enough
- Should not be chewed or swallowed
- Can cause nausea
| Show Answer / Hide AnswerNicotine Patches |
Pros of nicotine patches
- No prescription needed, available over the counter
- Easy to use, apply just once a day
- Gives you a continuous flow of nicotine all day long
- It is okay to keep the nicotine patch on through the night. In fact, most people sleep better because the patch relieves nicotine withdrawal symptoms which can disturb sleep.
- Can be used with the gum or lozenges for more support
- Few side effects
Cons of nicotine patches
- Patches have less flexible dosing than nicotine gum or lozenges
- It takes longer for the nicotine to get into your system using the patch than with nicotine gum or lozenges
- Nicotine patches may cause some mild skin rashes or irritation
| Show Answer / Hide AnswerCombination Therapy |
Pros of combination therapy
- Combination therapy gives you the best of both worlds. Long-acting medication gives you steady control over withdrawal symptoms. Short-acting medication lets you make fast adjustments to help cope with breakthrough cravings.
- Using a combination of medications can be more effective than only using one type. This is especially true for people who are very dependent on nicotine. This is also true for people who have not had success trying to quit using only one type of medication in the past.
Cons of combination therapy
- If insurance doesn't cover the cost, it may be more expensive to use more than one type of medication at a time.