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Nicotrol Coupon - Nicotrol 10mg/cartridge inhaler

Nicotrol

nicotine
Used for Smoking Cessation
Used for Smoking Cessation

Nicotrol (nicotine) is a type of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for smoking cessation. It helps adults quit smoking by relieving nicotine withdrawal symptoms and lowering your cravings for nicotine products like cigarettes. Nicotrol (nicotine) is an inhaler. The medication is inhaled through the mouth throughout the day. Common side effects include mouth and throat irritation and headache.

Note: The Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler has been discontinued and is no longer available in the United States. Ask a healthcare professional about other nicotine replacement therapies such as the nicotine gum (Nicorette) or nicotine nasal spray (also called Nicotrol).

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Robert Chad Hakim, PharmD, BCCCP
reviewer
Allison Gourley, PharmD
Last reviewed on July 2, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Nicotrol (nicotine)?

What is Nicotrol (nicotine) used for?

How Nicotrol (nicotine) works

Nicotrol (nicotine) is a form of nicotine replacement therapy.

Nicotine is an addictive chemical that's found in many tobacco products, including cigarettes. Nicotrol (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.

Are you looking for information on Nicotrol NS (nicotine) nasal spray or nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsNicotrol
Drug ClassNicotine replacement therapy
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityDiscontinued

More on Nicotrol (nicotine) essentials

Nicotine: pharmacist speaking to a customer 1248170540

Is the Nicotrol Inhaler Still Available? Pharmacists Answer 6 Nicotine Inhaler FAQs

Written by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
basics-icon

What are the side effects of Nicotrol (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

  • Irritation in mouth and throat (40%)
  • Coughing (32%)
  • Headache (26%)
  • Runny nose (23%)
  • Indigestion (18%)

Other Side Effects

  • Bad taste in mouth
  • Jaw and neck pain
  • Nausea
  • Hiccups
  • Chest discomfort

Source: DailyMed

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

muscle pain

nasal blister or sore

numbness of the nose or mouth

Rare

Difficulty speaking

loss of memory

migraine headache

pinpoint red or purple spots on skin

skin rash

swelling of the feet or lower legs

wheezing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Cold sweat

confusion

convulsions (seizures)

diarrhea

dizziness

drooling

hearing and vision changes

nausea and vomiting

pale skin

stomach pain

tremors

weakness

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

constipation

cough

headache

hot, peppery feeling in the back of the throat or nose

indigestion

nausea

runny nose

sneezing

watery eyes

Less common

Acne

change in sense of smell or taste

dryness, burning, itching, or irritation of the eyes

earache

flushing of the face

hoarseness

itching

menstrual disorder

nosebleed

passing of gas

sinus problems

soreness of the teeth and gums

stomach pain

stuffy nose

Rare

Changes in vision

diarrhea

dry mouth

hiccups

increased amount of sputum

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

Pros and cons of Nicotrol (nicotine)

thumbs-up

Pros

Helps control cravings and withdrawal symptoms

Copies the hand-to-mouth habit of smoking

Can use together with the nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)

thumbs-down

Cons

Might cause cough and throat or mouth irritation

Might not be the best option if you have lung problems

Must stop smoking completely during treatment with Nicotrol (nicotine)

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Nicotrol (nicotine)

pharmacist

  • Check in often with the healthcare professional (HCP) who's managing your smoking cessation. As you continue to use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) like Nicotrol (nicotine), your HCP will adjust your dose based on your progress. Your HCP can also suggest support programs and other resources to help you to quit smoking.

    • Don't smoke while you're using NRT like Nicotrol (nicotine). Otherwise, you might be at risk of having symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as stomach cramps, vomiting, and headache. But it's okay if you accidentally have a slip-up. Continue to use your NRT at the same dose and as prescribed to help you avoid smoking. Speak with your HCP about what to do if you accidentally have a slip-up.

      • Tell your prescriber if you have breathing problems before you use Nicotrol (nicotine). This medication hasn't been studied in people with breathing problems like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). But nicotine can tighten the muscles in the lungs, which can make it harder to breathe.

        • Store Nicotrol (nicotine) at room temperature in its original packaging to protect from light. Keep it up and away from children and pets so they're less likely to reach and accidentally take the medication. Call a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222 if you think your child accidentally took the medication.

          How to use Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler:

          • Remove the mouthpiece from the packaging, push the top and bottom pieces together, and turn the pieces so the markings on them line up. Then, pull the top and bottom apart and place a cartridge into the inhaler. Push hard on the cartridge until it's set into place.

            • Once you load the cartridge into the inhaler, line up the markings on the top and bottom pieces again and push them back together so they fit tight. Turn the top and bottom pieces so the markings don't line up to lock them into place.

              • Puff in short and shallow breaths from the inhaler. Each cartridge lasts for 20 minutes. You can either puff continuously for 20 minutes or break it up into multiple sessions (for example, four 5-minute sessions). It's recommended to use each cartridge for a longer period of time (up to 20 minutes) and more often when you're starting the medication to help control cravings.

                • When you're not using the inhaler, keep it in the locked position.

                  • After you finish a Nicotrol (nicotine) cartridge, separate the mouthpiece and throw away the used cartridge. Keep in mind that there's still nicotine leftover in the cartridge after you use it.

                    More on Nicotrol (nicotine) tips

                    Health: Nicotrol: cigarette butts in ash tray yellow background-1324684927

                    How to Use the Nicotrol (Nicotine) Inhaler: A Complete Guide

                    Written by Nicole E. Cieri-Hutcherson, PharmD, BCPS, NCMP
                    faqs

                    Frequently asked questions about Nicotrol (nicotine)

                    Is Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler still available?
                    No. The Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler is no longer available in the United States. The manufacturer discontinued this medication and stopping making it. There are several other nicotine replacement therapies that a healthcare professional (HCP) can recommend in place of Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler. Some options include the nicotine gum and lozenges.
                    Does Nicotrol (nicotine) raise blood pressure?
                    Studies show that nicotine replacement therapy like Nicotrol (nicotine) doesn't cause significant changes to blood pressure. This means that it's likely that people with a history of blood pressure problems who smoke can safely use nicotine replacement therapy to help quit. Speak with a healthcare professional about using nicotine replacement therapy if you have high blood pressure, you smoke, and you're ready to quit.
                    Do you need a prescription for Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler?
                    Yes, Nicotrol (nicotine) is an example of a prescription nicotine replacement therapy. There are also over-the-counter products available, like nicotine patches (Nicoderm CQ).
                    How many puffs are in a Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler?
                    Each Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler comes with 168 cartridges. Each cartridge doesn't have a specific number of puffs in them. But each cartridge lasts for up to a total of 20 minutes of puffing.
                    How long does a Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler cartridge last?
                    Each Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler cartridge lasts for up to a total of 20 minutes of puffing. You can either puff continuously during those 20 minutes or break up your puffing time, for example four 5-minute sessions. When the cartridge is empty, throw it away, out of reach of children and pets.
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                    warings-icon

                    What are the risks and warnings for Nicotrol (nicotine)?

                    Nicotrol (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.

                    risk-warning

                    Possible risk for dependence and nicotine withdrawal symptoms

                    It's possible for feelings of dependence to develop from using nicotine products before starting nicotine replacement therapy like the Nicotrol (nicotine) inhaler. This means that some people might feel like they have to rely on Nicotrol (nicotine) to function normally. To lower the risk for dependence and nicotine withdrawal symptoms like anxiety or cravings, work with your healthcare professional to slowly lower the number of cartridges of Nicotrol (nicotine) you use per day after 3 months of treatment. It's not recommended to use Nicotrol (nicotine) for more than 6 months.

                    risk-warning

                    Harm to unborn babies

                    • Risk factors: Pregnant or planning to become pregnant

                      Ask your prescriber about the benefits and risks of using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) like Nicotrol (nicotine) if you're pregnant. In general, using nicotine in any form during pregnancy can put your unborn baby at risk for serious harm. Some research shows that children born to mothers who used NRT like Nicotrol (nicotine) during pregnancy might be at higher risk for certain developmental problems after birth. Ask a healthcare professional about safe options to quit smoking with no or minimal use of nicotine products.

                      risk-warning

                      Harm to breastfeeding babies

                      • Risk factors: Breastfeeding

                        Speak with your prescriber about the benefits and risks of using NRT like Nicotrol (nicotine) if you're breastfeeding. It's possible for the nicotine from the Nicotrol inhaler cartridges to get into breast milk. In general, nicotine can affect the quality and amount of milk you make and it might cause harm to breastfed babies. Ask a healthcare professional about ways to quit smoking with no or minimal use of nicotine products.

                        risk-warning

                        Keep out of reach from children and pets

                        Be sure to keep new and used Nicotrol (nicotine) inhalers and cartridges out of reach from children and pets. Empty Nicotrol (nicotine) cartridges can still have some nicotine left inside when you throw it away. It can be very dangerous if children or pets accidentally swallow the medication in Nicotrol (nicotine).

                        Nicotine poisoning in children is a medical emergency and must be treated right away. Call 911 if your child complains of stomach cramps or a burning feeling in the mouth, if they're confused or restless, or if they have unusual breathing patterns or irregular heart rate.

                        dosage

                        Nicotrol (nicotine) dosage forms

                        Typical dosing for Nicotrol (nicotine)

                        Each cartridge of Nicotrol (nicotine) gets inserted into the inhaler. Use the inhaler to take puffs or inhalations through the mouth for up to 20 minutes. Each cartridge contains 10 mg of nicotine, but only about 2 mg of nicotine gets absorbed into your body after the full 20-minute inhalation period.

                        The typical starting dose is at least 6 cartridges per day at least for the first 3 to 6 weeks of treatment. Then, work with your healthcare professional (HCP) to find the dose that best controls your cravings. Don't use more than 16 cartridges in a single day. The recommended length of treatment is 12 weeks (3 months).

                        After that, discuss with your HCP about the best approach to slowly lower the number of cartridges you use per day over the next 6 to 12 weeks.

                        Don't use Nicotrol (nicotine) for a total of more than 6 months.

                        interactions

                        Interactions between Nicotrol (nicotine) and other drugs

                        Nicotrol (nicotine) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Nicotrol (nicotine). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                        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.

                        contraindications-icon

                        Nicotrol (nicotine) contraindications

                        Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Nicotrol (nicotine) will not be safe for you to take.

                        • Allergy to nicotine or menthol

                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Nicotrol (nicotine)?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Nicotrol (nicotine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Nicotrol (nicotine)
                        Used for:
                        View Prices
                        Nicorette (nicotine)
                        Used for:
                        $16.02 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Nicotrol NS (nicotine)
                        Used for:
                        $23.73 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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                        Nicotrol (nicotine) images

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                        References

                        Best studies we found

                        American 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 & Gynecology.

                        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.

                        View All References (8)

                        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). How to use the nicotine oral inhaler.

                        MedlinePlus. (2022). How to stop smoking: Dealing with a slip up.

                        MedlinePlus. (2023). Nicotine poisoning.

                        National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Dispelling myths about nicotine replacement therapy.

                        Nordhagen, L. S., et al. (2020). Maternal use of nicotine products and breastfeeding 3 months postpartum. Acta Paediatrica.

                        Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC. (2024). Nicotrol- nicotine inhalant [package insert]. DailyMed.

                        Silva, A. P., et al. (2016). Influence of smoking cessation drugs on blood pressure and heart rate in patients with cardiovascular disease or high risk score: Real life setting. BioMed Central Cardiovascular Disorders

                        U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Nicotine is why tobacco products are addictive.

                        GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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