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- $Unique_ID{BRK03250}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{nicotine gum}
- $Subject{Nicorette Merrell Dow stop smoking aid nicotine gum cessation
- withdrawal irritability headache fatigue insomnia}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- nicotine gum
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Nicorette (Merrell Dow)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- A "stop smoking" aid
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- nicotine
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Chewing gum (2 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be kept in its original, child-resistant packaging
- until it is ready to be chewed.
-
- USES
-
- Nicotine gum is used as a temporary aid for smoking cessation programs.
- It helps control the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal (irritability, headache,
- fatigue, insomnia) and thus helps you to concentrate on overcoming the
- psychological and social aspects of your smoking habit.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Use nicotine gum when you feel the urge to smoke. Keep the gum with you
- at all times. Place it where you usually keep your cigarettes. Whenever you
- feel that you want to smoke, put one piece of gum into your mouth. Chew the
- gum very slowly, until you taste it or feel a slight tingling in your mouth.
- As soon as you get the taste of the gum, stop chewing. After the taste or
- tingling is almost gone (after about one minute), chew slowly again until you
- taste the gum. Then stop chewing again. The gum should be chewed slowly for
- 30 minutes to release most of the nicotine. You should not expect the gum to
- give you the same quick satisfaction that smoking does. Do not drink
- caffeine-containing beverages while chewing a piece of nicotine gum.
- Most people find that ten to 12 pieces of gum per day are enough to
- control their urge to smoke. Depending on your needs, you can adjust the rate
- of chewing and the time between pieces. Do not chew more than 30 pieces per
- day (unless your doctor directs you to do so).
- The risk of smoking again is highest in the first few months, so it is
- important that you follow your smoking cessation program and use nicotine gum
- as directed during this period.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Because of its nicotine content, the gum does not taste like ordinary
- chewing gum. It has a peppery taste. During the first several days of
- chewing the nicotine gum, you may experience mouth sores, jaw muscle aches,
- headaches, and increased salivation. These side effects should disappear as
- you continue to use the gum.
- If you chew the gum too fast, you may feel effects similar to those
- experienced when people inhale a cigarette for the first time or when they
- smoke too fast. These effects include constipation, coughing, dizziness, dry
- mouth, gas pains, hiccups, hoarseness, insomnia, light-headedness, nausea,
- redness of the face, sneezing, stomach pain, stomach upset, throat and mouth
- irritation, and vomiting. Most of these side effects can be controlled by
- chewing the gum more slowly.
-
- Major.
-
- If any of the side effects are persistent or particularly bothersome,
- report them to your doctor. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
- about signs of too much nicotine (cold sweats, confusion, difficulty in
- breathing, disturbed hearing or vision, faintness, marked weakness,
- palpitations, or seizures).
- If you accidentlly swallow a piece of gum, you should not experience
- adverse effects. The nicotine is released by chewing and is absorbed
- primarily in the mouth.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Smoking cessation, with or without nicotine gum, may affect blood levels
- of certain medications (including aminophylline, caffeine, glutethimide,
- imipramine, pentazocine, phenacetin, propoxyphene, and theophylline).
- Nicotine can reduce the diuretic effects of furosemide and lessen the
- blood-pressure-lowering effects of beta blockers.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack or if you have
- ever had heart palpitations or arrhythmias, angina, active temporomandibular
- (jaw) joint disease, cardiovascular disease, endocrine (hormone) disease,
- thyroid problems, pheochromocytoma, diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure,
- peptic ulcers, mouth or throat inflammation, or dental problems.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Nicotine (from the
- gum or from cigarette smoke) can cause fetal harm. Also, tell your doctor if
- you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of nicotine can pass into
- breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-