Quitting smoking is difficult, and some people turn to nicotine replacement products to increase their chances of quitting successfully. One popular nicotine replacement product is the Commit lozenge. This product is widely available online and in drugstores and supermarkets. Although this product may be a useful tool in smoking cessation, people should always take the time to learn about the ingredients before deciding if a product is appropriate for them.
Nicotine Polacrilex
The active ingredient of Commit lozenges is nicotine polacrilex. Nicotine polacrilex reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms from smoking cessation, including the cravings for nicotine. Although this product delivers the nicotine in a slower and less intense pace than cigarettes, according to the official website of Commit lozenges, it may still cause health complications for some individuals. Pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and those with heart disease, irregular heartbeats or high blood pressure should talk to their doctors about how the nicotine polacrilex found in Commit lozenges may affect them.
Sodium
Each Commit lozenge contains 18 mg of sodium, according to Drugs.com. This sodium helps give the lozenges a more appealing taste, but may negatively affect some individuals. People on a sodium-restricted diet may want to consider talking to a doctor or use another nicotine replacement product to quit smoking.
Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial sweeter often used in food products as an alternative to sugar. Like sodium, this ingredient works to make the lozenges taste better. People with the genetic condition called phenylketonuria often need to avoid products containing aspartame, according to MedlinePlus, so Commit lozenges may not be an appropriate smoking cessation products for those individuals.
Other Inactive Ingredients
Commit lozenges also contains inactive ingredients. These ingredients do not directly provide relief from the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, as nicotine polacrilex does, but assist in the administration of the nicotine polacrilex. The inactive ingredients of Commit lozenges include calcium polycarbophil, magnesium stearate, potassium bicarbonate, mannitol, sodium carbonate, flavor, sodium alginate and xanthan gum.
