Quitting smoking is one of the biggest things you can do for your health, and you do not have to do it on your own. At Paradise Compounding Pharmacy in Surfers Paradise, our pharmacists give practical, judgement free quit smoking support. We help you choose the right nicotine replacement therapy, build a quit plan that fits around your day, and work out what to do when a craving hits.

No appointment is needed. Walk in, ask for the pharmacist, and we will take it from there.

Why quitting on willpower alone is so hard

Cigarettes create a physical dependence on nicotine, so stopping suddenly sets off withdrawal. Most people notice cravings, irritability, restlessness, trouble concentrating, low mood, a bigger appetite and broken sleep. Withdrawal symptoms are usually strongest in the first week and settle over the following two to four weeks.

That is why going cold turkey has such a low success rate. Australian and international guidelines both point the same way. Combining a stop smoking medicine with ongoing behavioural support gives you a far better chance than either one on its own. The support half is the part most people skip, and it is the part we can give you every time you come in.

Nicotine replacement therapy at our Surfers Paradise pharmacy

Nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, gives your body a controlled dose of nicotine without the tar, carbon monoxide and other toxins in cigarette smoke. It takes the edge off withdrawal so you can concentrate on breaking the habit itself.

NRT comes in two broad types, and most people do best using one of each.

Long acting, for steady background relief

• Nicotine patches are worn on the skin and release nicotine slowly through the day. They come in 16 hour and 24 hour versions and in several strengths.

Fast acting, for breakthrough cravings

• Nicotine gum works within minutes and lets you control the dose through the day.

• Nicotine lozenges dissolve slowly in the mouth and are a good option if you cannot chew gum.

• Nicotine mouth spray acts quickly and suits sudden, intense cravings.

• Nicotine inhalator gives you something to do with your hands, which helps if the physical ritual of smoking is a big part of the habit.

Using a patch together with a fast acting product is called combination therapy, and it is well established practice. Our pharmacists will help you work out the right starting strength based on how many cigarettes you smoke a day and how soon after waking you reach for the first one, then adjust it as you go.

Some nicotine patches are subsidised on the PBS with a prescription from your doctor. Paradise Compounding Pharmacy is a PBS approved pharmacy, so we can dispense those for you.

Building your quit plan

A plan is the difference between a good intention and an actual quit date. When you come in, we will help you put one together.

• Pick a quit date in the next two weeks, and choose a period that is not already stressful.

• Map your triggers. Coffee, the drive to work, after meals, a drink at the end of the day, work stress, other people smoking.

• Decide the swap for each trigger before it happens, not while it is happening.

• Tell the people around you. Family, friends and workmates who know are far easier to be around than ones who do not.

• Clear the house and the car of cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays the night before.

• Plan for a slip. One cigarette is a slip, not a failure. Most people who quit for good made several attempts first.

Managing cravings and withdrawal

A craving feels enormous but it usually peaks and passes within three to five minutes. The trick is having something ready to do for those few minutes.

Many people find the four Ds useful. Delay acting on the urge, deep breathe slowly for a minute, drink a glass of water, and do something else that occupies your hands. Going for a short walk, brushing your teeth, or using a fast acting NRT product all work for the same reason, they carry you past the peak.

If cravings are still frequent and strong after the first couple of weeks, come and see us. It usually means the dose needs adjusting rather than that quitting is not working.

What changes after your last cigarette

Health authorities report a consistent pattern of improvement once you stop.

• Within 12 hours, carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop back to normal.

• Within 2 to 12 weeks, circulation improves and physical activity gets easier.

• Within 1 to 9 months, coughing and shortness of breath tend to decrease.

• After about a year, the excess risk of coronary heart disease is around half that of someone who kept smoking.

• Over the longer term, the risk of stroke, lung cancer and other cancers keeps falling.

There are financial changes too. A pack a day habit costs most Australians well over 10,000 dollars a year, which is worth working out for yourself on the day you quit.

Medicines that need a prescription

There are prescription only medicines that can help some people stop smoking. Australian regulations do not allow pharmacies to advertise or recommend prescription medicines to the public, so we cannot name them here. What we can say is that your GP can talk you through whether one of them is appropriate for you, and if you are prescribed one, we can dispense it and give you the counselling that goes with it.

Free support services

Alongside your pharmacist, these are worth using.

• Quitline on 13 7848 (13 QUIT) puts you in touch with a trained counsellor. It is one of the most effective free supports available in Australia.

• My QuitBuddy, a free app from the Australian Government, tracks your smoke free days, savings and health milestones.

• iCanQuit, run by Cancer Council NSW, has practical tools and stories from people who have been through it.

Common questions

Do I need an appointment to speak to a pharmacist?

No. Come in any time we are open and ask for the pharmacist.

How long should I use nicotine replacement therapy?

A typical course runs 8 to 12 weeks, then steps down gradually. Stopping too early is one of the most common reasons people go back to smoking, so talk to us before you taper.

• Can I use two NRT products at once?

Yes. Using a patch plus a fast acting product is standard practice for heavier smokers, and we will help you set it up safely.

• I have tried to quit before and gone back. Is it worth trying again?

Yes. Most people who successfully quit made several attempts first, and each attempt teaches you something about your triggers. A previous relapse is information, not a verdict.

• Can you help if I am pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medicines?

Come and talk to us. Some products and doses are not suitable in those situations, and we may refer you to your doctor. Always tell us what else you are taking so we can check for interactions.

Talk to our pharmacists

Paradise Compounding Pharmacy is at 3221 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217, open seven days.

Call 07 5527 9428, or drop in and ask for the pharmacist. If today is not the day, take the information home and come back when it is.

This page is general information only and is not a substitute for personal medical advice. Speak to your pharmacist or doctor about what is right for you.