Nicorette

Make sure you take nicotine exactly as the label instructs. Don't take more or less of the drug than is recommended.

Patches

Nicotine patches are placed directly on the skin. Apply the patch to clean, dry, and hairless skin on the outer part of your upper arm, chest, or hip.

The patches come in different strengths and can be worn for different lengths of time.

Choose a different site on your body to apply the patch each time you put on a new one. Don't use the same area twice in one week.

You can wear your patch while bathing or showering.

Never wear two patches at one time.

Chewing Gum

Chew the gum slowly and stop chewing it when you notice a tingling sensation or peppery taste in your mouth.

Keep the gum between your cheek and gum until the taste or tingling sensation almost stops. Then, chew again and repeat this process for about 30 minutes.

Remove the gum after 30 minutes or when the taste or sensation stops returning.

Make sure you chew the gum slowly. Chewing it too quickly can cause side effects such as hiccups, nausea, or stomach problems.

Don't swallow the gum, and don't eat or drink for 15 minutes before using the gum or while it's in your mouth.

You will probably chew at least 9 pieces of nicotine gum each day for the first six weeks of treatment. Don't chew more than 24 pieces in a day.

Stop using nicotine gum after 12 weeks of use.

Lozenges

Let the lozenge dissolve slowly without chewing or swallowing.

You might notice a tingling or warm feeling in your mouth. Move the lozenge from one side of your mouth to the other as it dissolves.

Don't eat or drink 15 minutes before or while you are using a nicotine lozenge.

Nasal Spray

To apply the nasal spray, tilt your head back slightly and insert the tip of the bottle as far into your nostril as you can. Spray once in each nostril.

Don't swallow, sniff, or inhale while spraying the solution.

Wait a few minutes before blowing your nose.

Inhaler

To use the nicotine inhaler, inhale deeply or puff in short breaths.

As you inhale, the nicotine turns into vapor and is absorbed by the mouth and throat.

Nicotine Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

You can get in touch with a poison control center at (800) 222-1222.

Missed Dose of Nicotine

Nicotine is often used as needed, so you might not be on a dosing schedule.

However, if you use the medicine regularly and miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.

If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue on your regular schedule.

In the U.S.

• Commit
• Nicorelief
• Nicorette

In Canada

• Equate Mini Nicotine Lozenge - Fast Dissolving - Mint
• Exact Nicotine Lozenge - Mint
• Nic-Assist - Mint
• Quit Nicotine Gum - Mint

Available Dosage Forms:

• Lozenge/Troche
• Gum

Therapeutic Class: Smoking Cessation Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Cholinergic

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of oral nicotine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Small amounts of nicotine can cause serious unwanted effects in children, and lozenges or gum contain enough nicotine to cause problems, including used pieces.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of oral nicotine in geriatric patients.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

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. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Diabetes or
• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure), uncontrolled or
• Irritation of mouth or throat or
• Loose dental fillings (gum only) or
• Stomach ulcer—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

• Phenylketonuria (metabolic disorder)—Some of the lozenges contain phenylalanine, which may make this condition worse.

• It is used to treat nicotine withdrawal.
• It is used to curb the craving to smoke.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

• Store at room temperature.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Check with your pharmacist about how to throw out unused drugs.
• Wrap the gum in paper before you throw it away.

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
• Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about this medicine, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Nicorette (nicotine gum) or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Nicorette. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

Review Date: October 4, 2017

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.

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

• heart disease, heart rhythm disorder;

• untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure;

• diabetes;

• stomach ulcer;

• a history of seizures;

• a food allergy;

• if you have recently had a heart attack;

• if you are on a low salt diet; or

• if you are using any other smoking cessation medicine (bupropion, Zyban, or others).

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).

Do not give Nicorette to anyone under 18 years old without medical advice.

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.