nicorette

Nicorette gum and lozenges contain nicotine, the primary ingredient found in tobacco products.

Nicorette gum and lozenges are medical products used to aid in smoking cessation in adults. Using a controlled amount of nicotine helps reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking.

Nicorette may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information

Do not use Nicorette if you are pregnant or breast-feeding unless your doctor has told you to.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using Nicorette if you have heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, circulation problems, high blood pressure, history of stroke or heart attack, mouth or dental problems, jaw problems that make chewing difficult, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, thyroid disorder, stomach ulcer, asthma or other breathing disorder, an adrenal gland tumor, or if you are on a low-salt diet.

Do not smoke or use other nicotine products (including snuff, chewing tobacco, nicotine patches, inhaler, or nasal spray) while you are using Nicorette.

Do not use Nicorette for longer than 12 weeks without the advice of your doctor.

Keep both used and unused gum and lozenges out of the reach of children or pets. The amount of nicotine in a used or unused lozenge or piece of gum can be fatal to a child who accidentally sucks or chews on it.

Before using Nicorette

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use Nicorette if you have:

• coronary heart disease, chest pain (angina), or heart rhythm disorder;

• circulation problems, Raynaud"s syndrome

• history of stroke, blood clot, or heart attack;

• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• mouth or dental problems;

• a jaw condition that makes chewing gum difficult or uncomfortable;

• liver or kidney disease;

• type 1 diabetes;

• a thyroid disorder;

• a stomach ulcer;

• asthma, bronchitis, or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease);

• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland); or

• if you are on a low-salt diet;

Do not use Nicorette if you are pregnant unless your doctor has told you to. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Nicotine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use Nicorette if you are breast-feeding unless your doctor has told you to.

Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy can cause low birth weight, miscarriage, or stillbirth. Using a nicotine replacement product during pregnancy or while breast-feeding may be safer than smoking. However, you should try to stop smoking without using a nicotine replacement product if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Talk with your doctor about the best way for you to stop smoking.

Nicorette lozenges may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take Nicorette?

Nicorette are only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include counseling, group support, and behavior changes. Your success will depend on your participation in all aspects of your smoking cessation program.

Use Nicorette gum and lozenges exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Nicorette comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Your dose will depend on how many cigarettes you smoked daily before quitting. Follow the guide in the patient instructions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

To use Nicorette gum:

• Chew the gum slowly and stop chewing when your mouth starts to tingle. "Park" the gum between your cheek and gum and leave it there until the tingly feeling is gone. Then slowly chew a few more times until the tingling returns. Park the gum again in a different place in your mouth.

• Remove a piece of gum after 30 minutes, or when chewing no longer causes the tingly feeling.

• If you have very strong or frequent cravings, you may chew a new piece of gum within 60 minutes.

• Avoid chewing one piece of Nicorette gum right after the other, or you may have side effects such as hiccups, heartburn, or nausea.

• For best results, use at least 9 pieces of gum per day for the first 6 weeks of treatment. Do not use more than 24 pieces of gum per day.

To use Nicorette lozenges:

• Place the lozenge in your mouth and allow it to dissolve slowly over 20 to 30 minutes, without chewing or swallowing.

• Move the Nicorette lozenge from one side of your mouth to the other until it has completely dissolved.

• You may notice a warm or tingly feeling in your mouth.

• For best results, use at least 9 lozenges per day for the first 6 weeks of treatment. Do not use more than 5 lozenges in 6 hours (20 lozenges per day).

Do not eat or drink anything within 15 minutes before using the gum or lozenge or while the medicine is in your mouth.

Do not use Nicorette for longer than 12 weeks without the advice of your doctor.

Do not use more than one Nicorette lozenge or piece of gum at a time. Do not use the gum and lozenges together at the same time.

After removing the gum or lozenge, wrap it in paper and throw it away in a place where children and pets cannot reach it.

Store Nicorette at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep both used and unused gum and lozenges out of the reach of children or pets.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since Nicorette is used as needed, you are not likely to miss a dose. Do not use more than 20 lozenges or 24 pieces of gum per day.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. The amount of nicotine in a used or unused lozenge or piece of gum can be fatal to a child who accidentally sucks or chews on it. Seek emergency medical attention if this happens.

Overdose symptoms may include severe dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and fast heart rate.

What should I avoid?

Do not smoke or use other nicotine products (including snuff, chewing tobacco, nicotine patches, inhaler, or nasal spray). Using many forms of nicotine together can be dangerous.

Nicorette side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Nicorette: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Nicorette and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• blisters inside your mouth;

• fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest;

• extreme weakness or dizziness;

• severe nausea and vomiting; or

• bronchospasm (wheezing, tightness in your chest, trouble breathing).

Less serious Nicorette side effects may include:

• mild dizziness;

• dry mouth, upset stomach, burping, or hiccups;

• muscle or joint pain;

• mouth or throat soreness;

• changes in taste; or

• headache.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Nicorette?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• cold or allergy medication that contains phenylephrine (a decongestant);

• imipramine (Tofranil) or other antidepressant;

• insulin;

• isoproterenol (Isuprel) or other asthma medication;

• labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate);

• oxazepam (Serax);

• pentazocine (Talwin);

• prazosin (Minipress);

• propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran);

• theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair); or

• varenicline (Chantix) or other non-nicotine smoking cessation product.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Nicorette. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.