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<html> <head> <style> /* Type some style rules here */ </style> </head> <body> <h2>ICAN Stop Smoking Medical Protocol</h2><hr><br><h3>ICAN Stop Smoking Medical Protocol</h3> <p><br />The ICAN Stop Smoking Treatment alternative, a one-time medical treatment protocol greatly minimizes or eliminates the patient's irresistible urges for nicotine. Treatment is provided on an outpatient basis and takes approximately one hour. Our approach offers many advantages over traditional forms of nicotine therapy. It is safe, easily integrated into the patient's daily routine, results are achieved quickly, and treatment is affordable.In addition to its effectiveness, another impressive feature of our protocol is the use of the J-tip needle-free injection system.<br /><br /></p> <h3>Why Our Treatment Works</h3> <p><br />The physical effects of nicotine addiction do not occur in a very specific part of the brain. Rather, nicotine addiction itself is believed to occur in a specific part of the brain (the ventral segmental area and nucleus accumbens), but the physical effects are mediated primarily through the autonomic nervous systems and not the brain. Nicotine is similar chemically to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). Because they are similar, both nicotine and acetylcholine compete to occupy ACh nicotine receptors, but they do not compete to occupy ACh muscarinic receptors. Through the process known as tolerance, the body manufactures more nicotine receptor sites to accommodate the increased demand. When the level of nicotine in the blood drops below 5 milligrams, there is not a sufficient supply of nicotine to occupy the increased number of sites and physical withdrawal takes place. At ICAN, we have developed the precise combination of anticholinergics that allows patients to quit smoking without most of the usual withdrawal symptoms.</p> <h3>Pre-appointment Process</h3> <p><br />On the initial evaluation visit, the patient receive a routine physical examination (no blood work or urinalysis test is preformed), an EKG, and pulmonary lung function test. Patients who appear to be suitable after the ICAN physician's evaluation, the patient is then scheduled for treatment. Should there be any further medical questions; the patient is referred to their personal physician for further review. Patients are <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ineligible</span></strong> for treatment if they have <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">acute-angle glaucoma</span></strong> or are <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">pregnant</span></strong>. Patients with <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">prostatic hypertrophy</span></strong> or <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">cardiac arrhythmias</span></strong> must seek approval from their personal physician prior to undergoing the ICAN treatment. Patients that have a history of being prescribed multiple antidepressants or are under the care of a pain management specialist are not suitable candidates for the ICAN treatment. Surgical history is recorded, noting any idiosyncratic reactions or prolonged refractory times in the decay of anticholinergic drugs. Patients with the usual contraindications to anticholinergic drugs are not treated. Patients complete a medical history and smoking questionnaire. They are asked to bring a list of <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ALL</span></strong> prescription and over the counter medications they are taking.</p> <h3>Treatment</h3> <p><br />The precise composition of the solution is prefilled by an accredited, certified, and licensed compounding pharmacy. As an additional safety cross check, prior to pre-filling the two injectible formulations, the compounding pharmacy reviews the patient information and provides the physician with any contraindication complication information.<br /><br />Patients who appear to be suitable candidates for nicotine addiction treatment are further checked for possible adverse reaction through injection of an intramuscular dose of a solution containing atropine, and scopolamine. Pupillary reflex is examined after five minutes. Patient's who have normal pupillary constriction and offer no complaints of excessive xerostomia are approved for treatment.<br /><br />In accordance with the Anticholinergic Block Method, suitable patients are given one or more <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">(J-Tip) needle-less</span></strong> subcutaneous injections of specific Ach antagonists that stop most all the patient's craving for nicotine and withdrawal symptoms. The solution with which patient's are injected comprises a carrier of diluent containing Atropine and Scopolamine. The carrier of diluent may be pure water, a normal saline solution, an aqueous solution containing procaine or any other diluent commonly employed as a carrier for pharmaceutical compounds administered by injection. The pharmacy provides the physician a complete <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ICAN Treatment Kit</span></strong> as described on the <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/../../undefined/" target="_self">icanstopsmoking.org</a></span></strong> website. The precise composition of the anticholinergic solution may be tailored to the requirements of an individual patient. For patients who in prior attempts to cease smoking, have experienced or indicated a feeling of greater than normal irritability, nervousness, lack of concentration or gastrointestinal disturbances, the amounts of anticholinergics can be increased to provide greater relief against the craving for nicotine.</p> <h3>Post Treatment</h3> <p><br />Immediately following treatment some patients will experience side effects typical of anticholinergics, such as, xerostomia, lightheadedness, or difficulty focusing. These effects usually dissipate in 6 to 8 hours. Patient complaints of altered taste and smell, however, can persist for approximately 24 hours. <span style="font-style: italic; color: red; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline;">1) Treated patients are instructed not to drive for 12 hours or drink alcohol after taking the treatment. 2) They are instructed not to consume any alcohol while taking follow up medication. 3) The ICAN treatment is only administered to patients who have brought a friend or family member along to drive them home after the treatment is administered.</span><br /><br />Following treatment, patients who have experienced withdrawal symptoms in previous attempts to break their nicotine addiction should quickly note the absence of such symptoms. Nicotine is eliminated in approximately three days, but the elimination of all delayed nicotine withdrawal symptoms may require a period of approximately two weeks, therefore patients are provided with Scopace tablets and approximately two weeks of Donnatal.<br /><br />At ICAN, we recognize that in addition to the physiological aspect of a patient's nicotine addiction, there is a significant psychological aspect to the nicotine addiction as well. All of the patients receiving the ICAN treatment are encouraged to recognize this aspect of their nicotine addiction and engage in behavior modifications to assist them in overcoming this hurdle.</p> <p><br /><br /></p> <h3>The ICAN Treatment is only available through licensed ICAN Practitioners.</h3> <p>To schedule an appointment, go to Treatment locations and contact a treating physician most convenient to you.</p> </body> </html>
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