Nicotine gum is a temporary smoking cessation aid. It acts as an oral substitute, and provides a measured dose of nicotine to alleviate physical and psychological symptoms of nicotine withdrawal which people experience when adapting a nonsmoking lifestyle. The most common of these symptoms include irritability, fatigue, drowsiness and insomnia. Nicotine gum is a popular smoking deterrent, but it has several side effects.
Respiratory Effects
The use nicotine chewing gum has been found to exacerbate symptoms in patients suffering from reversible obstructive airway diseases, usually asthma, so oral nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT, preparations should be used with caution in these conditions, according to Drugs.com. Nicotine gum causes narrowing of airways called bronchospasm, which is an obstruction of transient, or entering, air passing through the bronchial tubes and into the lungs, causing breathlessness or wheezing. These symptoms can occur right away because asthma patients are hypersensitive to things like nicotine and tobacco.
Mouth Ulcers
Mouth ulcers are one of the most unpleasant effects of using nicotine gum reported by users, according to Free Patent Online. In persons with mouth ulcers, multiple vesicles, or blisters, develop usually on the dorsum--the upper surface of the tongue--and gingivae, or gums, and then rupture, leaving a painful sore. For some people, mouth ulcers recur on a frequent basis, and people who get recurring mouth ulcers are anemic, or short of iron, and deficient in B-12 vitamins.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Nicotine gum puts women at higher risk of spontaneous abortion and stillbirths, according to Drugs.com. It may also stunt the growth of the fetus, which can lead to preterm birth and fetal death, so doctors advise against using nicotine gum during pregnancy. Breastfeeding mothers are also warned that nicotine gum passes freely into breast milk and can expose a nursing infant to nicotine-induced toxicity, adds Drugs.com.
