Nicotrol
Nicotrol NS (nicotine) is a nicotine replacement therapy that's used to help adults quit smoking (smoking cessation). It relieves nicotine withdrawal symptoms and lowers your cravings for nicotine in products such as cigarettes. Nicotrol NS (nicotine) is a nasal spray. It's sprayed into each nostril every hour to start. Then, a healthcare professional will work with you to adjust your dose. Side effects include nose and throat irritation and headache.
Note: Nicotrol is also the brand name for the now-discontinued nicotine inhaler.
What is Nicotrol NS (nicotine)?
What is Nicotrol NS (nicotine) used for?
To lessen withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings related to smoking cessation (quitting smoking)
How Nicotrol NS (nicotine) works
Nicotrol NS (nicotine) is a form of nicotine replacement therapy. Nicotine is an addictive chemical that's found in many tobacco products, including cigarettes.
Nicotrol NS (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 the harmful chemicals found in tobacco products.
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What are the side effects of Nicotrol NS (nicotine)?
Common Side Effects
- Nose irritation
- Throat irritation
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
- Sneezing
- Runny nose
- Headache
Other Side Effects
- Racing heart
- Teeth and gum problems
- Nicotine withdrawal symptoms (e.g., nervousness, irritability, trouble sleeping)
Source:Â DailyMed
More on Nicotrol NS (nicotine) side effects
The following 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:
More common
Shortness of breath
swelling of the gums, mouth, or tongue
tightness in the chest
tingling in the arms, legs, hands, or feet
Less common
Burning, tingling, or prickly sensations in the nose, mouth, or head
confusion
difficulty with swallowing
dryness or pain in the throat
fast or irregular heartbeat
nasal blister or sore
numbness of the nose or mouth
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
Back pain
headache
hot, peppery feeling in the back of the throat or nose
indigestion
watery eyes
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.
Pros and cons of Nicotrol NS (nicotine)
Pros
Raises your chances of quitting smoking by 50% to 70%
Works within 5 to 10 minutes to lower sudden cravings to smoke (the fastest of all nicotine replacement therapies)
Can use together with the nicotine patch
Cons
Effects only last about an hour
Can cause nose and throat irritation (a "hot, peppery" feeling)
Only available by prescription
Might not be the best choice for people with certain heart, liver, or kidney problems
Pharmacist tips for Nicotrol NS (nicotine)
Follow up often with the healthcare professional (HCP) who's managing your smoking cessation with Nicotrol NS (nicotine). As you continue to use Nicotrol NS (nicotine), your HCP will adjust your dose depending on your progress. Your HCP can also connect you with a support program and other resources to help you to quit smoking.
You'll typically start with 1 or 2 sprays of Nicotrol NS (nicotine) into each nostril per hour before your dose gets slowly lowered over time. It's recommended to use a total of at least 8 sprays in each nostril per day to raise your chances of quitting. Make sure to follow your HCP's instructions if they told you something different.
Usually, treatment with Nicotrol NS (nicotine) lasts up to 3 months. But everyone is different and some people might need to continue treatment beyond this time. Check in with your HCP about how well Nicotrol NS (nicotine) is working for you and discuss how long you should continue using the medication.
Side effects, like a "hot, peppery" feeling in the back of your throat or nose, sneezing, runny nose, and coughing, are typical within the first week of treatment. These side effects should start to get better after you regularly use the medication for a week or so. Tell your HCP if they're too bothersome.
Make sure to wait at least 5 minutes after you use Nicotrol NS (nicotine) to drive or do anything that requires concentration or focus. This medication can be irritating to the nose and throat, which can be distracting.
Don't smoke while you're using Nicotrol NS (nicotine). This can raise your risk for having symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as vomiting, headache, and dizziness. But it's okay if you accidentally have a slip-up. Continue to use Nicotrol NS (nicotine) at the same dose as prescribed to help you resist smoking. Speak with your HCP about how to deal with slip-ups.
Let your HCP know about all of the medications you're taking while you're using Nicotrol NS (nicotine). This is especially helpful if you're taking other medications to help stop smoking. In addition, Nicotrol NS (nicotine) can affect other medications, such as insulin or certain blood pressure medications, in the body; these medications might need dose adjustments.
When you use a new Nicotrol NS (nicotine) nasal spray bottle for the first time, prime it by spraying the bottle into a piece of tissue until you see a fine spray. This typically takes about 6 to 8 sprays. Then, throw the tissue away in the regular trash.
Insert the tip of the Nicotrol NS (nicotine) nasal spray into your nostril as far as you comfortably can and breathe through your mouth. Spray once in each nostril.
Try not to sniff or inhale while you spray Nicotrol NS (nicotine) into the nostril; otherwise, the medication might not stay in your nose. If your nose is runny after you spray, gently sniff to keep the medication in your nose. Wait about 2 to 3 minutes before blowing your nose.
Avoid getting the medication in the Nicotrol NS (nicotine) bottle onto your skin or in your eyes or mouth. If you do, rinse the area with water right away. If the bottle breaks, put on gloves and wash and wipe the surfaces with spilled medication with a paper towel.
Frequently asked questions about Nicotrol NS (nicotine)
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What are the risks and warnings for Nicotrol NS (nicotine)?
Nicotrol NS (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.
Potential for dependence and misuse
In clinical studies, some people who used Nicotrol NS (nicotine) reported feelings of dependence on the nasal spray. This means that they felt that they had to rely on Nicotrol NS (nicotine) to function normally. It's possible that the feelings of dependence first developed from using nicotine products before starting nicotine replacement therapy.
Some people also used Nicotrol NS (nicotine) for a longer period of time than recommended or at a higher dose than recommended. Some of these people reported nicotine withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety or cravings, after they stopped using the spray.
Harm to unborn babies
Risk factors: Pregnant or planning to become pregnant
In general, using nicotine in any form during pregnancy can put your unborn baby at risk for serious harm. It isn't clear whether the benefits of nicotine replacement therapy, such as using Nicotrol NS (nicotine), to help quit smoking outweigh the risks. Some research suggests that children born to mothers who used nicotine replacement therapy during pregnancy might be at risk for certain developmental problems after birth.
Ask a healthcare professional (HCP) about the benefits and risks of using Nicotrol NS (nicotine) during pregnancy. Ask your HCP about safe options to quit smoking with no or minimal use of nicotine products.
Harm to breastfeeding babies
Risk factors: Breastfeeding
It's possible for the nicotine in the Nicotrol NS nasal spray to get into breast milk, though probably in less amounts than if nicotine were smoked. In general, nicotine can affect the quality and amount of milk and it might cause harm to breastfed babies.
Ask the HCP who's managing your smoking cessation about the benefits and risks of using Nicotrol NS (nicotine) if you're breastfeeding. They can recommend options to quit smoking with no or minimal use of nicotine products.
Keep out of reach from children and pets
Be sure to keep new and used Nicotrol NS (nicotine) bottles out of reach from children and pets. Empty Nicotrol NS (nicotine) bottles can still have some medication left inside when you throw it away. It can be very dangerous if children or pets accidentally swallow the medication in Nicotrol NS (nicotine).
Nicotine poisoning in children is a medical emergency and must be treated right away. Call 911 right away if your child complains of stomach cramps or a burning feeling in the mouth, if they become confused or restless, or if they have unusual breathing patterns or irregular heart rate.
Nicotrol NS (nicotine) dosage forms
| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10ml of 10mg/ml | 4 nasal sprays | $538.65 | $134.66 |
Typical dosing for Nicotrol NS (nicotine)
Each spray of Nicotrol NS (nicotine) delivers 0.5 mg of nicotine.
The typical starting dose is 1 or 2 sprays in each nostril per hour. The healthcare professional who's managing your smoking cessation will work with you to adjust the dose for your individual needs.
The maximum number of times you can spray Nicotrol NS (nicotine) into each nostril in one hour is 5 times.
The maximum number of times you can spray the medication into each nostril in a 24-hour period is 40 times.
The maximum recommended length of treatment is 3 months.
Interactions between Nicotrol NS (nicotine) and other drugs
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
How much does Nicotrol NS (nicotine) cost?
What are alternatives to Nicotrol NS (nicotine)?
To lessen withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings related to smoking cessation (quitting smoking)
To lessen withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings associated with smoking cessation (quitting smoking)
To lessen withdrawal symptoms and nicotine cravings related to smoking cessation (quitting smoking)
What is the latest news about Nicotrol NS (nicotine)?
Nicotrol NS (nicotine) images
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References
Best studies we foundAmerican Cancer Society. (2020). Harmful chemicals in tobacco products.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2020). Tobacco and nicotine cessation during pregnancy: ACOG committee opinion, number 807. Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Anderson, P.O. (2021). Breastfeeding with smoking cessation products. Breastfeeding Medicine.
Blanc, J., et al. (2021). Nicotine replacement therapy during pregnancy and child health outcomes: A systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). 7 common withdrawal symptoms: And what you can do about them.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Quit smoking medicines are much safer than smoking.
MedlinePlus. (2022). How to stop smoking: Dealing with a slip up.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Nicotine poisoning.
Nordhagen, L.S., et al. (2020). Maternal use of nicotine products and breastfeeding 3 months postpartum. Acta Paediatrica.
Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC. (2022). Nicotrol- nicotine spray, metered [package insert]. DailyMed.
Schiffman, S., et al. (2003). Efficacy of acute administration of nicotine gum in relief of cue-provoked cigarette craving. Psychopharmacology.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Nicotine is why tobacco products are addictive.
Wadgave, U., et al. (2016). Nicotine replacement therapy: An overview. International Journal of Health Sciences.
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