Free Patches, Gum & Lozenges

If you’ve tried one path in the past and it didn’t work, consider trying another to help you quit smoking or other tobacco.

You may have questions about quit medications. Information in this section will help you understand products to help you quit cigarettes, e-cigarettes or other tobacco products.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy Quit Medications:

• Patches:
  Place on the skin. Ideal for long-lasting craving relief. Gradually releases nicotine into your bloodstream. A common brand name is Nicoderm® patch. Learn more.
  
• Gum:
  Chew to release nicotine. Helpful way to reduce cravings. Allows you to control your dosage. A common brand name is Nicorette® gum. Learn more.
• Lozenges:
  Placed in the mouth like hard candy. Nicotine lozenges offer the same benefits of gum without chewing. Learn more.
  

If you want to quit with nicotine patches and gum or lozenges, there are 3 options for how to get them, how much you get and what it costs:

1. Sign up with 802Quits and get between 2 and 8 weeks of FREE nicotine patches, PLUS gum or lozenges. Learn more.
2. If you have Medicaid and a prescription, you can receive unlimited preferred brands of nicotine patches and gum or lozenges or up to 16 weeks of non-preferred brands at no cost to you. Ask your doctor for details.
3. If you have other medical insurance you may have access to free or discounted NRT with a prescription. Ask your doctor for details.

Prescription-only Quit Medications.

• Inhaler:
  Cartridge attached to a mouthpiece. Inhaling releases a specific amount of nicotine.
• Nasal Spray:
  Pump bottle containing nicotine. Similar to an inhaler, the spray releases a specific amount of nicotine.
• Zyban® (Bupropion):
  Can be helpful in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety and irritability. May be used in combination with nicotine replacement therapy products like patches, gum and lozenges.
  
• Chantix® (Varenicline):
  Reduces the severity of cravings and withdrawal symptoms—does not contain nicotine. Lessens sense of pleasure from tobacco. Should not be combined with other medications. If you are on medication for depression and/or anxiety, consult your doctor.

The items above are available by prescription only. Check with your pharmacy for cost information. Medicaid covers up to 24 weeks of Zyban® and Chantix®.

There can be side effects from quit medications. Side effects will vary from person to person. However, very few people (less than 5%) have to stop using quit medications because of side effects.

Are you wondering how medication can help you quit smoking, vaping or other tobacco? Are you considering the nicotine patch vs. lozenges vs. gum? Compared to going cold turkey, using patches, gum and lozenges can dramatically increase your chances of successfully quitting tobacco. But you can boost your odds even more by combining nicotine replacement therapies, such as the long-acting patch with either gum or lozenges, which are faster acting. This means you can use nicotine gum and patches together, or you can use nicotine lozenges and patches together.

Why? The patch delivers a steady stream of nicotine for 24 hours, so you get long-acting, consistent relief from withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches and irritability. Meanwhile, the gum or lozenge delivers a small amount of nicotine within 15 minutes, helping you to manage tough situations and keeping your mouth busy as you ride out the cravings.

Used together, the patch and the gum or lozenge can provide much better relief from nicotine cravings than they can when used alone.

It’s likely you will experience withdrawal symptoms soon after you quit tobacco. These symptoms are the strongest during the first two weeks after you quit and should go away shortly. Withdrawal symptoms are different for everyone. Some of the more common ones include:

• Feeling down or sad
• Trouble sleeping
• Feeling irritable, grouchy or on-edge
• Trouble thinking clearly or concentrating
• Feeling restless and jumpy
• Slower heart rate
• Increased hunger or gaining weight

Tips to Help Manage Cravings