nicotine
Nicorette (nicotine) is a quit-smoking aid for adults. It's a nicotine replacement product used to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms in people who want to quit smoking cigarettes. Nicorette (nicotine) is available as a chewing gum and lozenge that's parked in the mouth for about 20 to 30 minutes. Typically, you take it every 1-2 hours at the start of treatment, then less often over time. Some side effects of this medication include heartburn and hiccups.
What is Nicorette (nicotine)?
What is Nicorette (nicotine) used for?
- To lessen withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings associated with smoking cessation (quitting smoking)
How Nicorette (nicotine) works
Nicorette (nicotine) is a nicotine agonist. Nicotine is an addictive chemical found in many tobacco products, including cigarettes (and most e-cigarettes).
Nicorette (nicotine) serves as a replacement for nicotine for people who are trying to quit smoking. It lowers your nicotine cravings and helps prevent nicotine withdrawal symptoms without exposing you to the harmful chemicals found in tobacco products.
Drug facts
More on Nicorette (nicotine) essentials
Side effects of Nicorette (nicotine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Sore jaw
- Stomach upset
- Hiccups
- Too much saliva
- Nausea or vomiting
- Feeling lightheaded
- Nausea
- Hiccups
- Heartburn
- Headache
Less Common Side Effects
- Mouth and throat irritation
- Cough
- Trouble sleeping
More on Nicorette (nicotine) side effects
The following Nicorette (nicotine) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
indigestion
mouth and throat irritation
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Pros and cons of Nicorette (nicotine)
Pros
- Available over the counter (without a prescription)
- Works well to help quit smoking by controlling smoking cravings
- Can be used with Nicoderm CQ (nicotine patch)
- Available in different flavors and sugar-free varieties
Cons
- Can cause heartburn
- Takes about 20 to 30 minutes to finish a dose
- Can't eat or drink for 15 minutes before or during use
- Using too many nicotine products or taking incorrectly can lead to side effects like nausea, vomiting, and dizziness
Pharmacist tips for Nicorette (nicotine)
- To raise your chances of quitting, it's recommended to use at least 9 pieces of Nicorette (nicotine) per day for the first 6 weeks of treatment.
- Stop smoking or using tobacco-containing products as soon as you start using Nicorette (nicotine). If you smoke or use tobacco while on this medication, you can end up with side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, and a racing heart.
- Don't eat or drink anything for at least 15 minutes before or while you're using Nicorette (nicotine). Food and drink can affect how much of the medication is absorbed into your body.
- Stop using the Nicorette (nicotine) and contact a provider if you get any oral blisters or have other teeth and jaw problems. Your provider can let you know whether it's safe for you to continue Nicorette (nicotine) or whether you need to consider other options to help you quit.
- Usually, treatment with Nicorette (nicotine) lasts about 3 months. But everyone is different and some people might need to continue treatment beyond this time. Talk to your provider if you need to use this medication for a longer period.
- Store Nicorette (nicotine) in the original box to protect from light and up and away from children and pets so they're less likely to reach and accidentally take the medication. If you think your child accidentally took the medication, call a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.
How to use the Nicorette (nicotine) gum:
- Make sure you know how to use the gum correctly. Chew the gum slowly until there is a tingling sensation in the mouth. Then, park the piece between your cheek and gum. When the tingling is gone, begin chewing again until that feeling returns and park it on the other side of your mouth. Repeat for about 30 minutes or until the piece of gum no longer tingles. Spit it out and throw it away. Never swallow the Nicorette (nicotine) gum.
- If you have a strong urge to smoke within an hour of taking a Nicorette (nicotine) gum dose, you can chew a second piece. But don't continuously use 2 doses of Nicorette (nicotine) within a single hour because this can cause hiccups, heartburn, nausea, and other side effects.
- Don't use more than 24 pieces of gum within a 24-hour period.
How to use the Nicorette (nicotine) lozenge:
- To use the lozenge, suck on the lozenge until you taste the nicotine. Then, place it between the cheek and gum. Move the lozenge to the other side of your mouth every so often while it dissolves. This may take about 20 to 30 minutes. Don't chew, break, or crush it. Never swallow theNicorette (nicotine) lozenges.
- Don't use more than 1 lozenge at a time or continuously use one lozenge after another. This can cause side effects (e.g., hiccups, heartburn, nausea, etc.). Also, don't use more than 5 lozenges in 6 hours and don't use more than 20 lozenges per day.
Common questions about Nicorette (nicotine)
A review of multiple studies found that all forms of NRT, including Nicorette (nicotine), raises your chances of quitting smoking by at least 50%. But Nicorette (nicotine) should be used with counseling and support (e.g., smoking cessation programs). Ask your provider or pharmacist for more information on what things you can do to raise your chances of quitting smoking.
Studies didn't find enough evidence to suggest using Nicorette (nicotine) can cause mouth or teeth problems, and more research is needed in this area. Still, it's important to maintain good and regular oral hygiene by flossing and brushing your teeth every day. Possible side effects from Nicorette (nicotine) in the mouth include mouth or jaw soreness and mouth or throat irritation. Contact your dentist if you notice problems in your mouth after starting Nicorette (nicotine).
Nicorette (nicotine) is available over the counter and can be found at most local pharmacies and grocery stores. Contact your provider or pharmacist if you're having trouble finding Nicorette (nicotine).
Nicorette (nicotine) isn't chewed like ordinary chewing gum. To correctly use the gum, chew it until you can taste the nicotine or feel a tingling sensation in your mouth. Then, stop chewing the gum, and park the piece of gum between your cheek and gums. This allows your mouth to absorb the nicotine from the gum. After about a minute, when the tingling is almost gone, start chewing the gum again until there's a tingling sensation in the mouth again, and park the piece of gum again. Continue repeating this process until the tingle goes away (about 30 minutes). After, spit out the gum in a trash can; don't swallow it.
It takes about 30 minutes for a Nicorette (nicotine) lozenge to melt; it takes about the same amount of time for a piece of Nicorette (nicotine) gum to lose the "tingling" sensation after you started to chew it. When you first begin treatment with Nicorette (nicotine), you might need to use a piece of gum or lozenge every 1 to 2 hours to ease the withdrawal symptoms. But as you continue, you might not need to take Nicorette (nicotine) as often. Usually, people take Nicorette (nicotine) every 4 to 8 hours by the second or third month of treatment.
No. Don't swallow the Nicorette (nicotine) gum (or lozenge). Doing so raises your risk for side effects because the nicotine is going to be released in your stomach. Some side effects include heartburn, stomach ache, and hiccups. If you accidentally swallow the gum, it shouldn't be a major concern. But if you swallow several pieces of gum, you should seek medical help because it could cause a blockage in your digestive tract.
Don't smoke while using Nicorette (nicotine) because doing so can raise your risk of symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. But it's okay to have a slip-up and smoke while using Nicorette (nicotine). You don't need to take extra or change your Nicorette (nicotine) dose. To lower your chances of having slip-ups, it's best to throw away your cigarettes while you're using a Nicorette (nicotine). If you're having trouble with too many slip-ups, contact your provider. They can work with you to help you quit smoking by connecting you with support program and other resources. They can also recommend other medication options to help you quit smoking as well.
The biggest difference between Nicorette (nicotine) and Nicoderm CQ (nicotine patch) is how quickly each product works. Nicorette (nicotine) is a short-acting form of nicotine replacement that lowers the urge to smoke a cigarette when you feel a nicotine craving coming on. Nicoderm CQ (nicotine patch), however, is a long-acting form of nicotine replacement that maintains the nicotine levels in your body throughout the day. Studies show that combining short- and long-acting nicotine replacement therapies, like the gum and the patch, works better than using either product alone. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you have more questions about the different types of available NRT.
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Risks and warnings for Nicorette (nicotine)
Nicorette (nicotine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to unborn babies and breastfeeding babies
- Risk factors: Pregnant or planning to become pregnant | Breastfeeding
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your provider about the benefits and risks of using Nicorette (nicotine). Studies show that nicotine-replacement therapy, like Nicorette (nicotine), can raise the risk of colic and ADHD in babies if used by mothers during pregnancy. If you're pregnant and want to quit smoking, talk with your provider about your options. They can suggest other resources to help you stop smoking, such as a support group through a smoking cessation program.
Worsening of certain medical conditions
- Risk factors: Heart problems | Recent heart attack | Irregular heartbeat | On a low-sodium diet | High blood pressure not controlled with medication | Diabetes | Stomach ulcers | Skin problems | History of seizures
Don't take Nicorette (nicotine) if you have any of the risk factors listed above unless your provider said it's safe to do so. Taking Nicorette (nicotine) can worsen your condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Make sure your provider knows about all the medical conditions you have or have had in the past before starting Nicorette (nicotine).
Caution use in people with phenylketonuria (PKU) - lozenge only
The Nicorette (nicotine) lozenge contain phenylalanine, a component of the artificial sweetener aspartame. If you have a genetic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU), taking the ODTs can be dangerous for you. Let your provider know if you have PKU so they can prescribe a different formulation of Nicorette (nicotine) that might be safer for you.
Nicorette (nicotine) dosage
Typical dosage for Nicorette (nicotine)
A healthcare professional on your smoking cessation team will determine your starting dose of Nicorette (nicotine). The typical starting dose is 2 mg or 4 mg, depending on whether you smoke your first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking up or after.
Nicorette (nicotine) gum is chewed slowly until you feel a tingling sensation, then parked between your cheek and gum. Nicorette (nicotine) lozenge is sucked on like hard candy until it's completely dissolved.
- Weeks 0 to 6: Use 1 piece every 1 to 2 hours to help with nicotine cravings.
- Weeks 7 to 9: Use 1 piece every 2 to 4 hours to help with nicotine cravings.
- Weeks 10 to 12: Use 1 piece every 4 to 8 hours to help with nicotine cravings.
Don't use more than 24 pieces of gum or 20 lozenges per day.
Interactions between Nicorette (nicotine) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Bendamustine
- Hemin
- Tegafur
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