Nicotine Gum

Text size:  |  Print  |   | 

What is Nicotine Gum?

Nicotine chewing gum is used to help people stop smoking cigarettes. It acts as a substitute oral activity and provides a source of nicotine that reduces the withdrawal symptoms experienced when smoking is stopped.



Brand Name

Nicorett



Other Names



What is Nicotine Gum?

Nicotine chewing gum is used to help people stop smoking cigarettes. It acts as a substitute oral activity and provides a source of nicotine that reduces the withdrawal symptoms experienced when smoking is stopped.

How

Use of nicotine gum for longer than 3 months is discouraged. Do not use nicotine gum longer than 6 months without talking with your doctor.
  • Decrease the total number of pieces used per day by about 1 piece every 4-7 days.
  • Decrease the chewing time with each piece from the normal 30 minutes to 10-15 minutes for 4-7 days. Then gradually decrease the total number of pieces used per day.
  • Substitute one or more pieces of sugarless gum for an equal number of pieces of nicotine gum. Increase the number of pieces of sugarless gum substituted for nicotine gum every 4-7 days.
  • Replace 4-mg gum with 2-mg gum and apply any of the previous steps.
  • Consider stopping use of nicotine gum when your craving for nicotine is satisfied by one or two pieces of gum per day.
  • Side Effects

  • mouth ulcers
  • jaw muscle aches
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • upset stomach
  • seizures
  • heart rhythm disturbances
  • difficulty breathing
  • http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/index.html
  • Precautions

    Before using nicotine gum,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol), caffeine, diuretics ('water pills'), imipramine (Tofranil), insulin, medications for high blood pressure, oxazepam (Serax), pentazocine (Talwin, Talwin NX, Talacen), propoxyphene (Darvon, E-Lor), propranolol (Inderal), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a heart attack, irregular heart rate, angina, ulcers, uncontrolled high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, pheochromocytoma, or a dental condition or disorder.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using nicotine gum, stop using it and call your doctor immediately. Nicotine and nicotine gum may cause harm to the fetus.
  • do not smoke cigarettes or use other nicotine products while using nicotine gum because nicotine overdose can occur.
  • Overdose

    In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

    Storage

    Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

    Dietary Restrictions

    Avoid eating and drinking (especially acidic beverages such as coffee or soft drinks) for 15 minutes before and during chewing of nicotine gum to prevent reduced absorption of nicotine.

    Miscellaneous

    It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

    Content provided by:

    The AHFS MedMaster Consumer Medication Information CMI® database is copyrighted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. © 2008, ASHP, Bethesda, Maryland 20814. All Rights Reserved. Duplication must be expressly authorized by ASHP, unless such duplication consists of printing or downloading portions of the data inherent in the program for non-commercial use. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the database provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such database and specifically disclaims all such warranties and representations. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the database is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug in the database. The information contained in the database is not a substitute for medical care.

    Nicotine Gum Articles

    • How Nicotine Gum Works

      ... Institute on Drug Abuse explains, when Nicotine gets into the bloodstream, it has a number of effects on the body's physiology. Nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands to produce a chemical call...

    • How Does Nicotine Gum Work?

      nicotine is a chemical that can be absorbed into the blood via the lungs, the oral mucosa or the skin. Once in the blood, nicotine can rapidly travel into the nervous system. According to the Natio...

    • How to Stop Smoking Using Gum

      ... an extremely addictive chemical called Nicotine. Nicotine stimulates your brain, and when your brain stops receiving Nicotine, it begins craving it. One product that has been designed to make s...

    • How to Stop Smoking Today

      ...e difficult, but products like nicotine gum and nicotine patches can help you quit. As your body adjusts to lower levels of nicotine, you will eventually be able to get through the day without h...

    Show More

    Nicotine Gum Images

    Related Drugs

    • Nicotine Gum

      Nicotine chewing gum is used to help people stop smoking cigarettes. It acts as a substitute oral activity and provid...

    • Nicotine Lozenges

      Nicotine lozenges are used to help people stop smoking. Nicotine lozenges are in a class of medications called smokin...

    • Varenicline

      ...rks by blocking the pleasant effects of nicotine (from smoking) on the brain.

    Related Diseases

    • Nicotine withdrawal

      nicotine withdrawal involves irritability, headache, and craving for cigarettes or other sources of nicotine. These s...

    Vitamins

    • Folate

      Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in food and folic acid is the s...

    • Niacin

      ...ction. Vitamin B3 is made up of niacin (nicotinic acid) and niacinamide.

    Related Poisons

    • Nicotine poisoning

      ...ldren who accidentally chew on nicotine gum or patches.This is for information only and not for use in the treatme...

    Conversations On Nicotine Gum

    • How long are withdrawals? I heard 3 days, does nicotine gum help?

      ... first and whether I'll need to get the gum and use for a week or so for the intitial withdrawals and how long do the wthdrawals last, I heard about 3 days?

      • Posted On March 3, 2009 05:39:50 AM

        I think 3-7 days sounds about right. You are making a wise decision. Quitting is on of the greatest things you can do for yourself. Good luck. Read More

    • Nicotine Replacement

      If you’re planning to use nicotine gum, nicotine patches, or any other form of nicotine replacement, be sure you have these items on hand, so they’ll be ready for use. Do read the instructions ...

    • Nicotine Fading

      ...ine substitute product: • Nicotine gumNicotine patch • Nicotine nasal spray • Nicotine inhaler People usually develop cravings for things that develop immediate satisfaction,...

    • Nicotine Fix - Without the Toxins

      ...s, and gum. But how about an electronic nicotine delivery device that looks and feels like smoking -- without the smell or the carcinogens? That's what Hong Kong-based Golden Dragon Group is ...

      • Posted On March 1, 2008 05:49:37 AM

        I am so glad that I don't have to think about any of these gimmiks anymore...I have SAVED $685 so far :) Read More

      • Posted On March 1, 2008 07:33:25 AM

        I agree. I just don't think that something like this would have worked for me. Read More

    • Nicotine Fading - Continued

      nicotine gum: This is a drug in gum form, with enough nicotine to reduce your urge to smoke. The gum releases small amounts of nicotine, which is absorbed into the body through the mucous membra...

    • Nicotine replacement therapy

      ... quickly. Unlike the nicotine patch, gum, and nasal spray, the nicotine inhaler has the advantage of satisfying the “hand-to-mouth” ritual smokers miss when they quit. The inhaler consist...

    Show More

    Write for LIVESTRONG.COM

    Write for us

    Do you work in health, fitness or nutrition? Share your expertise by writing for LIVESTRONG.COM

    Learn More
    Remove this ad. Go Gold!
    advertisement
    Members Who Dare

    More Members Who Dare

    Talk

    holgr: @RocmanUSA first step: quit cigarettes, second step: quit nicotine gum. :)

    RocmanUSA: Walgreens changed the formula for their nicotine gum #FAIL You SUCK for that - all sugar sweet now - friggin nasty. I hate you!

    sandyjhnsn: @LaurelBank Just found your tweet, the patches don't work for him he needs the sudden punch of nicotine so gum works better

    boetzie: @boetzie funny thing just heard an announcement that smoking is prohibated so what about nicotine gum ;)

    shindaabc: @Sophie_A_Howard try the nicotine gum or just waste all ure money on drinks and partying and u wont have any money to buy cigarettes



    Tools

    Track your daily calories. See how many calories you burn and consume.

    BMI is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight.

    Map your local running, cycling, walking and hiking routes and track your calorie burn.

    Find us on the web, receive emails and use our mobile app to keep you motivated.

    This tool will help you to decide whether to treat at home or see a doctor.