Charging Nicovape® Q:

When Nicovape® Q shows an amber or red light, the patient should use the USB-C charging cable supplied to connect their Nicovape® Q Device to a charger, using the charging point on the side of the Nicovape® Q Device.

The patient can plug the charging cable into a USB port (e.g., in their car or laptop) or a wall charger (max 5v). Charging Nicovape® Q from empty to 100% will take about 90 minutes.

A fully charged battery contains enough power to consume a whole Nicovape® Q Cartridge.

Important: When the patient is charging their Nicovape® Q, they should check to ensure the LED on the device shows a pulsing green light. The LED will turn off when the battery is fully charged.

Introducing mynicovape® Q:

mynicovape®Q is a user-friendly portal designed to provide patients with comprehensive support at all times during their smoking cessation journey. mynicovape®Q provides patients with immediate access to:

• Check remaining battery and e-liquid levels;
• Register their Nicovape® Q Device for warranty purposes;
• Access user guides and live chat customer support; and
• Reorder Nicovape® Q Cartridges or book a script renewal assessment.

To access mynicovape®Q , patients should simply hold the NFC logo on their Nicovape® Q (which is marked on the back of their Nicovape® Q Device) next to the back of their phone.

When the patient’s Nicovape® Q Device and phone connect, they will feel a short buzz, and the phone will prompt them to open mynicovape®Q.

It may take you (or your patient) a little while to find the sweet spot to connect the first time, but once you have found it, it’s as simple as tapping whenever you want to access mynicovape®Q.

Counselling for Patients Using NVPs for the First Time

Pharmacists can provide patients with critical information that will maximize their chances of successful clinical outcomes, particularly for patients who are new to using NVPs:

Financial Circumstances

If a patient uses a Nicovape® Q Cartridge per day, their monthly outlay is likely to be around $300, or about $10 – $12 per day. Most patients will use less as they learn to titrate Nicovape® Q, and may find a Nicovape® Q Cartridge lasting two or three days, or even more.

• Ask the patient how much they spend monthly on cigarettes, tobacco, or illicit vapes.
• Using Nicovape® Q is likely to represent a significant discount compared to this amount, and working through how much a patient will save over the course of a year is often a key motivator.
• Note that even if using Nicovape® Q represents a significant saving, many patients may not be able to pay for a month’s supply at once.
• Nicovape® Q Cartridges come in seven-pack boxes, which have an RRP of $79.95. Depending on the patient’s circumstances, you may need to adjust the quantity and the number of repeats (i.e., staged supply) to ensure they can afford commencement and adherence to the therapy.

Product Demonstration

Liber’s ‘New Patient Guide,’ included in the Liber Pharmacy Pack, provides a simple guide for that teaches them to activate the Nicovape® Q device.

Give a practical demonstration of how to use Nicovape® Q:

• Patients should adopt a 2 / 20 rule: When they inhale, they should take up to two inhalations (mouth to lung) with a 20-second rest between puffs.
• After each puff, patients should consider whether they still have a nicotine craving and, if necessary, repeat 2-3 times, up to a maximum of 20 puffs per hour.

You should explain to the patient that:

• The primary aim of using NVPs is to avoid returning to smoking.
• To achieve this, they should use their Nicovape® Q as often as required to ease cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
• Over time, this may differ from how they used cigarettes—usually cravings will be satisfied after two or three puffs of Nicovape® Q.

Ensure patients are aware of potential side effects and refer them to the consumer medicine information sheet (CMI), which is included in each Nicovape® Q Cartridge pack.

Establish Your Patients’ Goals

Does your patient seek to achieve nicotine abstinence?

• Depending on the motivation and goals of the patient, this will determine the ongoing support you will provide.
• There is a strong chance that a patient upon initial presentation will be focused only on stopping smoking.
• While patients may be able to stop smoking quickly, it may take several months to stabilize away from cigarettes permanently.
• However, follow-up behavioral support strategies may help the patient refocus on achieving their goal.
• Setting dates and assessing successful outcomes is often key to maintaining patient motivation.
• Remind patients that using their prescribed NVP does not amount to a treatment failure, but smoking or using illicit drugs does.

Additional Guidance

You may consider additional behavioural guidance, including the following:

• Ensure patients are aware of the risks associated with dual use (using a vape while continuing to smoke):
• There is NO safe level of smoking—complete substitution is the aim. Patients should be encouraged to use their NVP in situations where they would ordinarily smoke;
• If possible, patients should avoid smoking shelters (and other smoking areas)  to use their NVP;
• Successful treatment relies on the patient being able to use their Nicovape® Q when they experience nicotine cravings or withdrawal symptoms:
  • The patient should ensure they have sufficient replacement cartridges available at all times.
  • While the Nicovape® Q Device should have enough charge for a single Nicovape® Q Cartridge, patients should check and ensure that the battery is charged enough to last through the day. They might consider purchasing an additional Nicovape® Q Device if they are uncertain.