How does the effectiveness of nicotine patches compare to nicotine gum?

Luke Newman

            There are many options of nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, for those who wish to quit smoking.  Gum and patches are two of the most popular options, but which one is more effective?  According to the 2008 Clinical Practice Guideline for treating tobacco use and dependence, all options of NRT have roughly the same efficacy (study published by the US Department of Health and Human Services).  So, it really should be the patient deciding which method works best for their specific situation.  Nicotine patches may be best for patients who get the most benefit from the physical nicotine portion of the cigarette rather than simply caving in to a trigger for smoking.  Patches will deliver a fairly constant nicotine dose throughout the day or week.  Patients who are constantly anxious because of encountering various smoking triggers may opt for the gum, because it can mimic the intermittent bursts of nicotine throughout the day that is associated with smoking cigarettes.

Stanford, Claire. "Gum vs. the Patch: Which Kind of Nicotine Replacement Is Right for You?" Medications That Can Help|. Health.com, 01 Aug. 2008. Web. 05 Nov. 2013. <http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20213800,00.html>.