Commit lozenges (nicotine) are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an over-the-counter treatment designed to help patients quit smoking cigarettes. This form of nicotine helps alleviate withdrawal symptoms while weaning patients off of this addictive substance. Before you begin using this medication, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about Commit lozenge side effects.
Insomnia
The most common side effect associated with Commit lozenge use is insomnia. The active ingredient in this medication--nicotine--acts as a central nervous system stimulant, which can cause you to feel energized, restless, nervous or anxious. These sensations can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Insomnia can contribute to additional side effects, including daytime sleepiness or depression. Contact your doctor if you notice heart rate or breathing abnormalities in conjunction with restlessness or insomnia.
Stomach Upset
While using Commit lozenges, you can develop symptoms of an upset stomach, warns Drugs.com, a consumer drug information website that provides peer-reviewed data on currently marketed drug products. Frequent or excessive use of this medication can cause you to experience indigestion, heartburn, nausea or gas (flatulence). These side effects can be uncomfortable but typically subside shortly after the Commit lozenge completely dissolves. Certain patients can also develop diarrhea, which may occur in conjunction with abdominal bloating, gas, cramping or pain. To limit the occurrence of these stomach-related side effects, allow the Commit lozenge to slowly dissolve within your mouth as directed and do not chew or swallow the lozenge.
Tingling Oral Sensation
You can experience an unusually warm or tingly sensation within your mouth while using the Commit lozenge. Nicotine within this medication is released into your mouth as the lozenge dissolves, which can irritate the sensitive tissues that line your mouth. Contact your doctor if you experience oral pain or develop swollen sores within your mouth as these side effects may be indicative of a severe reaction to Commit lozenges.
Sore Throat
Throat irritation caused by the nicotine released from the oral Commit lozenge can lead to a sore throat in some patients, warn health professionals at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. Sore throat symptoms can make it difficult for you to swallow and may impact your ability to eat some types of food or beverages. Certain patients also develop a dry cough or hiccups in addition to sore throat symptoms while using this medication. If sore throat symptoms persist or become severe, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
