Nicotine lozenges are a smoking-cessation product that is taken orally. Nicotine is released into your body, allowing you to gradually overcome the addiction and cravings you experience. Using the product correctly will increase your chances of becoming smoke-free. Nicotine lozenges are available at drugstores and supermarkets without a prescription.
Step 1
Read the leaflet that is included in your lozenge packaging to determine the appropriate dosage. People who begin smoking within a half hour of waking up should choose the 4mg dose, according to the makers of Commit lozenges. Those who smoke their first cigarette later in the day are ideal candidates for the 2mg lozenge.
Step 2
Use a step-down approach to quitting smoking with the help of lozenges. This type of smoking-cessation product can be used for 12 weeks. During the first six weeks, take a lozenge every hour or two to curb your cravings. For the following three weeks, try to space out the lozenges, using them only every two to four hours. By weeks 10 through 12, you should only take a lozenge every four to eight hours.
Step 3
Place a nicotine lozenge in your mouth and let it dissolve naturally. You can tuck it against the inside of your cheek so that it will not hinder speaking. The active ingredients absorb into your body through the lining in your mouth; each dose takes about 30 minutes to dissolve.
Step 4
Avoid biting, chewing or swallowing the product. The nicotine levels absorbed into your body will be lower than if you let it dissolve. Accidentally swallowing a lozenge is not harmful, but may cause indigestion or heartburn.
Step 5
Follow dosing instructions on the packaging to increase your rate of success and to prevent symptoms of overdose or other side effects, including nausea, heartburn, dizziness, diarrhea and an abnormally fast heartbeat. For example, a person can take up to 20 Commit lozenges each day without risking an overdose.
Tips and Warnings
- Discuss your nicotine addiction with your doctor if you have completed three months of treatment with lozenges and still feel cravings. Most people can successfully become smoke free at this point.
- Lozenges may not be the ideal form of smoking cessation product if you are pregnant, have heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes. Your doctor will be able to tell you if nicotine lozenges are safe for you to use.
