Boots NicAssist - The Boots Company

Preparations Available

Nasal spray, Sublingual tablet, Transdermal patch, Chewing gum, Lozenge, Inhalation vapour

The selection of preparation should be made according to the smoker’s likely adherence, previous experience with aids, contraindications and side-effects, and the smoker’s preference. It is widely accepted that there are no circumstances in which it is safer to smoke than use NRT.

All preparations are licensed for adults and children over 12 years (with the exception of Nicotinell® lozenges, which are licensed for children under 18 years only when recommended by a doctor).

The use of NRT in pregnancy is preferable to smoking, but it should only be used if smoking cessation without NRT fails. Nicotine can be present in breast milk, however the amount is low and is less hazardous than second-hand smoke. Use with caution in both hepatic and renal impairment.

Chewing gum
Fewer than 20 cigarettes per day: 1 piece of 2 mg strength gum when the urge to smoke occurs or to prevent cravings.

More than 20 cigarettes per day or those who require more than 15 pieces of 2 mg strength gum each day: 1 piece of 4 mg strength gum when the urge to smoke occurs or to prevent cravings. Patients should not exceed 15 pieces of 4 mg strength gum daily.

If attempting smoking cessation, treatment should continue for 3 months before reducing the dose.

Chew the gum until the taste becomes strong, then rest it between the cheek and gum. When the taste starts to fade, repeat this process. One piece of gum lasts for approximately 30 minutes.

Inhalation cartridges
The cartridges can be used when there is an urge to smoke or to prevent cravings. Patients should not exceed 12 cartridges of the 10 mg strength daily, or six cartridges of the 15 mg strength daily.

Insert the cartridge into the device and draw air through the mouthpiece. Each session can last for approximately 5 minutes. The amount of nicotine from 1 puff of the cartridge is less than that from one puff of a cigarette, so it is necessary to inhale more often. A single 10 mg cartridge lasts for approximately 20 minutes and a single 15 mg cartridge approximately 40 minutes.

Lozenges
Fewer than 20 cigarettes per day: use the lower-strength lozenges.

More than 20 cigarettes per day and those who fail to stop smoking with the low-strength lozenges: use the higher-strength lozenges.

One lozenge should be used every 1–2 hours when the urge to smoke occurs, but patients should not exceed 15 lozenges daily.

If attempting smoking cessation, treatment should continue for 6–12 weeks before attempting a reduction in dose.

Slowly allow each lozenge to dissolve in the mouth, periodically moving the lozenge from one side of the mouth to the other. Lozenges last for 10–30 minutes, depending on their size.

Sublingual tablets
Fewer than 20 cigarettes per day: 1 tablet/hour, increasing to 2 tablets/hour if necessary.

More than 20 cigarettes per day: 2 tablets/hour.

Patients should not exceed 40 tablets daily.

If attempting smoking cessation, treatment should continue for up to three months before reducing the dose.
Each tablet should be placed under the tongue and allowed to dissolve.

Nasal spray
Patients can use one spray in each nostril when the urge to smoke occurs, up to twice every hour for 16 hours daily (with a maximum of 64 sprays daily).

If attempting smoking cessation, treatment should continue for eight weeks before reducing the dose.

Initially one spray should be used in both nostrils but when withdrawing from therapy, the dose can be gradually reduced to one spray in one nostril.

Transdermal patches
More than 10 cigarettes per day: apply a high-strength patch daily for 6–8 weeks, followed by a medium-strength patch for 2 weeks, and then a low-strength patch for the final 2 weeks.

Fewer than 10 cigarettes per day: start with a medium-strength patch for 6–8 weeks, followed by a low-strength patch for 2–4 weeks.

A slower titration schedule can be used in patients who are not ready to quit but who want to reduce cigarette consumption before a quit attempt.

If abstinence is not achieved, or if withdrawal symptoms are experienced, the strength of the patch used should be maintained or increased until the patient is stabilised. Patients using the high-strength patch who experience excessive side-effects, that do not resolve within a few days, should change to a medium-strength patch for the remainder of the initial period and then use the low-strength patch for 2–4 weeks.

Patches should be applied on waking to dry, non-hairy skin on the hip, trunk, or upper arm and held in position for 10–20 seconds to ensure adhesion; place next patch on a different area and avoid using the same site for several days.

Sizes Available

Nasal spray
Boots NicAssist 10 mg/ml, 10 ml 

Microtabs
Boots NicAssist Microtab 2 mg, pack of 100 

Patches
Boots NicAssist Translucent 10 mg/16 hours, 7 patches  
Boots NicAssist Translucent 15 mg/16 hours, 7 patches 
Boots NicAssist Translucent 25 mg/16 hours, 7 patches

Chewing gum
Boots NicAssist Fruit Fresh 2 mg, 105 pieces
Boots NicAssist Ice Mint 2 mg, 105 pieces
Boots NicAssist Minty Fresh 2 mg, 105 pieces
Boots NicAssist Minty Fresh 2 mg, 210 pieces
Boots NicAssist Fruit Fresh 4 mg, 105 pieces
Boots NicAssist Ice Mint 4 mg, 105 pieces
Boots NicAssist Minty Fresh 4 mg, 105 pieces
Boots NicAssist Minty Fresh 4 mg, 210 pieces

Lozenges
Boots NicAssist 1 mg, pack of 96 
Boots NicAssist 2 mg, pack of 96

Inhalation vapour
Boots NicAssist 15 mg, 4 cartridges 
Boots NicAssist 15 mg, 20 cartridges 

More on: Smoking cessation