Nicorette Chewing Gum (mint, 2mg)

Nicorette Gum is chewing gum containing a nicotine resin. It can help smokers to give up smoking.

Nicorette Gum is the best solution if your smoking is irregular, ie. if you smoke more on some occasions than others. Nicorette Gum also gives you full control over the amount of nicotine supplied.

Chewing Nicorette Gum reduces the unpleasant effects of nicotine withdrawal normally experienced when you stop smoking cigarettes. It does not give as much satisfaction as a cigarette, so once you have broken the smoking habit, it is usually not difficult to stop chewing Nicorette.

It comes in two strengths - 2 milligrams and 4 milligrams of nicotine resin per chewing gum square. The 2 milligram comes in two flavours, regular or mint. The 4 milligram comes in mint flavour only.

How do I use Nicorette Gum?

The strength of the chewing pieces you should use depends upon your own individual needs. If you regard yourself as a heavy smoker start with the 4mg gum.

The best thing is to chew Nicorette on a regular basis, for example one piece of chewing gum every hour. In this way you alleviate the craving to smoke, so reducing the risks of withdrawal symptoms appearing. Acidic drinks such as coffee or fruit juice can dampen the effects of the nicotine chewing gum. To be on the safe side you should use Nicorette gum before such drinks. One fresh piece of Nicorette should be chewed slowly each time you feel the urge to smoke a cigarette. The gum has a peppery or mint flavour that should not be unpleasant to smokers. You should chew each piece slowly for 30 minutes to release all the nicotine from the gum.

Chewing techniques:

1. Put a piece of Nicorette in your mouth and chew it slowly, leaving a few seconds in between each chew.
2. Do this for about ten chews, then leave the gum under your tongue or on your cheek for a minute or two.
3. Carry on chewing for about another ten chews, then rest the gum again.
4. Continue chewing the gum in this way for about 30 minutes.
5. You can increase your chewing rate depending on your needs, when you get used to the taste of the gum.

Swallowed nicotine is destroyed in the stomach and wasted.

Is Nicorette safe?

Nicorette Gum in the doses recommended has not been found to produce any serious adverse effects in healthy people.

Who should not use Nicorette?

Nicorette should not be given to children - it must be kept out of their reach.

Those with gastritis, peptic ulcer, angina or who have had coronary heart disease should discuss this with their doctor before using Nicorette.

All forms of nicotine should be avoided in pregnancy.

Are there any side effects of using Nicorette Gum?

Nicotine from the gum can occasionally cause slight irritation of the throat at the start of the treatment, and may also cause increased salivation.

Excessive swallowing of nicotine containing saliva may cause hiccups.

Those with a tendency to indigestion may suffer initially from mild indigestion or heartburn, especially if the 4 mg gum is used.

Slower chewing and the use of 2 mg gum (if necessary more frequently) will usually help overcome problems such as throat irritation or hiccups.

People who wear dentures may find it difficult to chew Nicorette Gum.

Because of its nicotine content, if you chew Nicorette too quickly you may get effects similar to those produced by smoking too much, such as nausea or throat irritation.

If you carefully follow the instructions for the first day or two, you will train yourself to chew at the correct rate. This should provide the best supply of nicotine and avoid the effects of chewing too quickly. It may take a few days to get used to the taste, but persevere.

When you have completely overcome your desire for smoking, gradually reduce the number of pieces chewed per day. Do not attempt to stop using Nicorette completely until you are satisfied with one or two pieces a day.

It is recommended that Nicorette is used for a period of three months before this gradual reduction is started. It is during this three month period that risk of failure is greatest.

Remember to carry some Nicorette with you, even after you have stopped chewing completely, in case you feel the sudden urge to smoke again. Do not forget that one cigarette is enough to start you on the smoking habit again.