Individuals addicted to smoking have a dependency on the chemical nicotine found in such tobacco products as cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco. The habit-forming drug produces brief pleasant feelings in the brain, which encourages smokers to continue using tobacco products in order to experience the feelings again. Nicotine gum is one type of substitute for tobacco that often makes it easier for smokers to quit smoking.
Function
Recommended approaches to stopping a smoking habit and overcoming nicotine dependence include behavior modification, nicotine replacement therapy and medications that do not contain nicotine. Individuals frequently combine treatments, based on what works best. Nicotine replacement therapy involves replacing tobacco with alternative products, such as nicotine gum, lozenges, patches or spray. This allows users to satisfy their craving for nicotine, decrease their reliance on tobacco products and reduce their risk of developing health conditions related to the more dangerous ingredients in tobacco.
Features
Nicotine gum is an over-the-counter, non-prescription product similar to normal chewing gum, except that it contains varying levels of nicotine. The product is available in two doses: a 4 milligram version for heavy smokers who smoke 25 cigarettes or more daily and a 2 milligram version for average smokers who smoke less than 25 cigarettes each day. Both types of smoker can chew up to 24 pieces of nicotine gum per day for no longer than 6 months, although regular smokers may use 30 pieces daily if their doctor permits it. Users generally chew one piece of nicotine gum about every 2 hours, and they should slowly reduce the amount of gum chewed after approximately 10 weeks.
Instructions
Nicotine gum only works correctly when individuals chew it slowly several times until they notice a mild peppery taste or tingling sensation. Then users should "park," or move, the gum between their gum and cheek so the nicotine released from the gum can gradually enter their bloodstream through the tissue lining of their mouth. The chewing-and-parking process begins again when the peppery taste or tingling sensation fades, which typically takes a few minutes. Users can repeat the process for roughly 30 minutes.
Considerations
Continuing to chew nicotine gum after the peppery or tingling feeling occurs causes users to swallow the released nicotine instead of absorbing it, which will not reduce their nicotine craving and may upset their stomach. Individuals should not drink acidic or carbonated beverages, such as juice or soda, or eat for at least 15 minutes before or while chewing nicotine gum. Both can interfere with the body's ability to absorb nicotine from the product.
Warning
Potential side effects associated with nicotine gum include aching jaw muscles, dizziness, headache, nausea and ulcers in the mouth. All require medical attention if they persist or become severe, and an abnormal heartbeat, problems breathing or seizures always require immediate medical assistance. Breastfeeding mothers, pregnant women, bridge and denture wearers, and people with a temporomandibular joint condition should consult a medical professional before using nicotine gum to see if an alternative treatment method is more appropriate for their circumstances.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Nicotine Dependence - Definition
- MayoClinic.com: Nicotine Dependence - Treatments and Drugs
- National Institutes of Health: MedlinePlus Drug Information - Nicotine Gum
- North Caroline Department of Health and Human Services: Stop-Smoking Medications
- Smokefree.gov: Nicotine Gum Fact Sheet
