Is the Nicotrol Inhaler Still Available? Pharmacists Answer 6 Nicotine Inhaler FAQs
Key takeaways:
The Nicotrol inhaler was a prescription-only nicotine inhaler. It was a type of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) that helped people quit smoking.
The Nicotrol inhaler was discontinued in Fall 2023 due to ongoing shortages of an ingredient used to make the inhaler. The Nicotrol inhaler is no longer available, but there are other treatments available to help you quit smoking.
If you were using the Nicotrol inhaler, it’s a good idea to consider switching to another NRT product or other smoking cessation medication. Options include the nicotine patch, gum or lozenges (Nicorette), and nasal spray (Nicotrol NS). Other prescription medications, such as Chantix (Varenicline) and bupropion SR (Zyban, Wellbutrin SR) are also options.
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Table of contents
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is a type of treatment for smoking cessation. NRT products work by providing your body with nicotine you’d normally get from smoking. This helps decrease nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cigarette cravings.
The Nicotrol inhaler was one type of NRT that for some people felt similar to smoking a cigarette. Although the Nicotrol inhaler helped people successfully quit smoking, it’s no longer available as of 2023.
With the Nicotrol inhaler off the market, we’ll discuss possible alternatives, as well as how to safely switch to another NRT product or smoking cessation medication.
1. Is the Nicotrol inhaler still available?
The Nicotrol inhaler was discontinued by the manufacturer (Pfizer) in 2023. This means the Nicotrol inhaler is no longer being made and healthcare professionals (HCPs) won’t be able to write new prescriptions for the Nicotrol inhaler.
If you were using the Nicotrol inhaler, it’s best to consider switching to a different smoking cessation treatment. We’ll talk more about how to do this later on.
Comparing nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products: There are several NRT products available to help you quit smoking. Learn which might be best for you, including how to combine them for best results.
Bupropion sustained-release (Zyban, Wellbutrin-SR) versus varenicline (Chantix): These prescription medications can help you quit smoking. They have several differences, though. Learn if either of these medications is a good option for you.
No safe amount of smoking: Any amount of smoking, even if you only do it socially, is dangerous for your health. Learn about the risks of social smoking.
2. Why was the Nicotrol inhaler discontinued?
According to Pfizer, the Nicotrol inhaler was discontinued because a material that was needed to make the mouthpiece is unavailable. Due to the ongoing issue with finding this material (resin), Pfizer decided to stop making the Nicotrol inhaler.
However, Pfizer still makes a nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol NS), another form of NRT that helps people quit smoking. There’s also other NRT products available from other manufacturers.
3. Is the Nicotrol inhaler going to come back?
It’s not clear. Pfizer hasn’t said whether they intend to bring the Nicotrol inhaler back. So it’s best to assume that it will be unavailable moving forward.
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If you’ve had success using the Nicotrol inhaler, this news may be frustrating. While there’s no exact alternative to the Nicotrol inhaler, other NRT products may still be good options for you.
4. What are some alternatives to the Nicotrol inhaler?
As mentioned, there are several NRT products available on the market today:
Nicotine gum (Nicorette)
Nicotine lozenge (Nicorette)
Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)
Nicotine nasal spray (Nicotrol NS)
Nicotine nasal spray is only available by prescription. All other NRT products are available over the counter (OTC).
NRTs work by replacing the nicotine from cigarettes with a “clean” form of nicotine. The nicotine in NRT doesn’t contain harmful chemicals like cigarettes and other tobacco products do. Still, since your body receives nicotine from NRT, it helps minimize nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes.
The nicotine patch is a long-acting NRT product. It releases nicotine slowly through the skin over a 24-hour period, and should be replaced daily. On the other hand, the nicotine gum, lozenges, and nasal spray are considered fast-acting NRT products that work quickly. You can use these products several times throughout the day.
If you’re using NRT, it’s best to combine the patch with a fast-acting NRT product. This method of combining NRT products is more effective than using any product by itself. This is because fast-acting NRT products more closely mimic how quickly cigarettes deliver nicotine to the brain. So they can help with in-the-moment cravings for cigarettes in a way that the patch can’t.
5. What other smoking cessation medications are available?
Besides NRT, two other medications are FDA approved for smoking cessation: Chantix (varenicline) and bupropion sustained-release (Zyban, Wellbutrin SR). The brand-name Zyban is no longer available, but generic bupropion SR and brand-name Wellbutrin SR may be prescribed for smoking cessation.
Both Chantix and bupropion SR are prescription-only medications. Bupropion SR works by balancing the levels of certain brain chemicals that become abnormal when you smoke. Balancing these chemicals helps reduce symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. It also blocks nicotine receptors (binding sites), which makes smoking seem less desirable.
Chantix also works by blocking nicotine receptors. But it also partially activates (turns on) these receptors. Like Bupropion SR, the end result is decreased nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes.
Both Chantix and bupropion SR are considered effective options for helping people quit smoking.
6. Can you switch from the Nicotrol inhaler to another smoking cessation medication?
Switching from the Nicotrol inhaler to another smoking cessation product is possible. And it’s probably a good idea to make sure you remain on track to quit smoking (or stay smoke-free, if you’ve already quit).
The Nicotrol inhaler was a short-acting NRT product. So switching to another short-acting NRT product like the nicotine gum, nicotine lozenge, or nasal spray can help give you a similar effect as the Nicotrol inhaler. This will address nicotine withdrawal symptoms or cigarette cravings you might be having.
If you were also using the nicotine patch, continue using it. If you weren’t using the patch, it might be a good idea to start, especially if you haven’t yet quit smoking. The patch will provide a steady dose of nicotine to your body throughout the day. And as mentioned, combining the patch and a fast-acting form of NRT can boost your chances of successfully quitting smoking.
Even though NRT products (except the nicotine nasal spray) are available OTC, it’s best to work with your HCP if you’re switching between NRTs. They can help you figure out a safe dosage. The chart below details some basic dosing information for each short-acting NRT product. But it’s not a clear 1 to 1 conversion between products.
NRT product | Typical starting dose |
|---|---|
Nicotine lozenge (2 mg or 4 mg) | One lozenge every 1-2 hours, up to 20 lozenges/day |
Nicotine gum (2 mg and 4 mg) | One piece every 1-2 hours, up to 24 pieces/day |
Nicotine nasal spray | 1 or 2 doses per hour, up to 40 doses per day |
If you want to switch from the Nicotrol inhaler to Chantix or bupropion SR, talk to your HCP. These aren’t NRT products, but they may be a good option for you. In some cases, they may also be used in combination with NRT products. But don’t combine any smoking cessation products without talking to your HCP first.
The bottom line
The Nicotrol inhaler (nicotine inhaler) is a nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) product that’s no longer available. It was discontinued in 2023 when the manufacturer couldn’t get one of the necessary materials to produce the inhaler mouthpiece. We don’t know if the Nicotrol inhaler will become available again in the future, so it’s best to assume it won’t.
If you were using the Nicotrol inhaler, switching to another NRT product may be a good option for you. This includes the nicotine patch, gum and lozenges (Nicorette), and nasal spray (Nicotrol NS). Other prescription medications, such as Chantix (Varenicline) and bupropion SR (Zyban, Wellbutrin SR) are also FDA approved to help you quit smoking. Talk with a healthcare professional about which is best for you.
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References
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. (2023). Nicotine inhalation system.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). How to use nicotine gum.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). How to use nicotine lozenges.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). How to use the nicotine oral inhaler
Ferri, S. (2023). Cease the sale of Nicotrol inhaler (nicotine inhalation system) once inventory is exhausted. Pfizer Inc.
Hays, J. T., et al. (2003). Bupropion sustained release for treatment of tobacco dependence. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Sifat, M., et al. (2023). Varenicline combined with oral nicotine replacement therapy and smartphone-based medication reminders for smoking cessation: Feasibility randomized controlled trial. JMIR Formative Research.
Singh, D., et al. (2023). Varenicline. StatPearls.
