A Combination Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) Algorithm for Hard-to-Treat Smokers

Many smokers have not succeeded in quitting using a single nicotine replacement mode. An algorithm was developed for clinicians to enhance success rates when recommending nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to smoking patients. The algorithm is based on clinical experience with chronic smokers with respiratory illnesses attending one-on-one smokers clinics in the Central Sydney Area Health Service. Based on transdermal nicotine therapy (patch) other forms of NRT are added if required for 'breakout' smoking for 2 weeks. Outcomes have shown 60% confirmed continuous abstinence at 3 months. Smokers can be safely and successfully treated symptomatically for nicotine withdrawal relief using combination NRT aggressively. This enhances treatment efficacy by minimising relapse in the first few weeks and months of quitting.