
Patients want to quit gradually? Consider REDUCE TO QUIT® with NRT
Quit rates comparable to abrupt cessation.19
How it works
Most smokers have made abrupt, unsuccessful quit attempts and many are discouraged by this approach. The REDUCE TO QUIT® (gradual cessation) method helps patients who want to quit, but are not ready to quit entirely. A quit date is set, and treatment is initiated in the pre-quit reduction period. Smokers use an oral NRT treatment whenever they have a craving to prolong the smoke-free interval.18 Studies showed that gradual reduction produced quit rates comparable to abrupt cessation.19 See how RTQ works
Putting REDUCE TO QUIT® into practice
Recently published studies position where REDUCE TO QUIT® fits within smoking cessation treatment. After initial assessment, a quitting method and product are chosen that best match the patient’s needs and treatment goals. Smokers may have one of four potential goals:
- Quitting abruptly on a target quit date (TQD).
- Reducing smoking before quitting on a TQD. Consider REDUCE TO QUIT®.
- Reducing their smoking, but not setting a TQD. Consider REDUCE TO QUIT®.
- Not interested in quitting or reducing smoking. Learn more about Readiness to Quit
Smokers prefer to gradually reduce cigarettes
- 44% of those planning to quit in the next 12 months prefer gradual cessation and 68% would prefer a reduction product20
- Some patients may think they need to rely on willpower alone and may not be aware that NRT can help them reduce to quit or that it is safe to use NRT while still smoking. Recent updates to the NICORETTE® and NICODERM® product licenses confirm that it is safe and effective to use lozenge and gum while reducing to quit, and the patch is approved to be used pre-quit.
- Gradual cessation is the most widely used quit method – cited by nearly 2/3 of Canadian smokers – followed by stop-smoking medications.10* Learn more about NRT Products
*Data source: CTUMS, 2003-2012; CTADS, 2013.
REDUCE TO QUIT® efficacy
- The REDUCE-TO-QUIT® program with NICORETTE® Gum can increase the chances of quitting by up to 4X in those who have not been able to quit before.18
- Those who successfully reduced with NICORETTE® had a 1 in 3 likelihood of quitting in the long term.18
REDUCE-TO-QUIT® dosing advice
- Set target quit date in next 30 days.
- Begin using NRT two to four weeks before target quit date.
- Set goal to reduce daily cigarette consumption by at least 50% by target quit date.
- If using a faster-acting NRT (gum, lozenge, inhaler, oral spray), it should be used to replace omitted cigarettes and when experiencing cravings.
- On target quit date, stop smoking cigarettes and follow regular dosing and titration regimen.
- Extend duration of NRT as long as necessary to prevent relapse.