How does Nicorette Gum Work?
Is Nicorette Gum right for me?
Does Nicorette Gum have any side effects?
Which Nicorette Gum product should I use?
How much Nicorette gum should I use?
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How does Nicorette Gum Work?
Nicorette Gum is a polacrilex. It works by allowing the nicotine to be absorbed through the mucus membranes in mouth when the gum is chewed. It is to be chewed slowly and deliberately until you get a tingling sensation and release a peppery taste. The gum should then be placed, or 'parked', between the cheek and the gums or under your tongue. This assists the nicotine that has been released to pass through the lining of the mouth and into the bloodstream so the user can enjoy the benefits of the gum. By using this method a single piece of gum will last for around half an hour by which time you will no longer experience the tingling or taste the peppery release of the nicotine.
The nicotine can only be absorbed through the lining of the mouth. If the gum is chewed incessantly without placing it between the cheek and the gums then much of the nicotine will be lost as the saliva containing it is swallowed and processed by the stomach. Swallowing too much of the nicotine can also cause gastrointestinal discomfort and nausea. Do not eat or drink anything while using Nicorette Gum because this will inevitably result in you swallowing an undesirable amount of nicotine. Coffee, tea, soft drinks, fruit juice and other acidic beverages adversely affect nicotine absorption and should not be used fifteen minutes before or after chewing Nicorette Gum. You should rinse your mouth with water before using Nicorette Gum. The gum itself is not be swallowed.
If you find the peppery taste of the gum is too intense it is usually a sign that you are either chewing the gum too much or too fast. Unfortunately, some people give up on the gum claiming that its taste is too unpleasant when this is often just a result of them over-chewing the gum.
Is Nicorette Gum right for me?
Before deciding if Nicorette Gum is the right method for you to quit smoking there are some restrictions to consider. Nicorette Gum should not be used if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. This is because there is some evidence that nicotine may be harmful to an unborn child. It is not to be taken by mothers who are breast-feeding because the baby's health can be adversely affected by nicotine that passes into the mother's breast milk. It should also not be taken if you have recently had a heart attack or a stroke. Nicotine can increase your heart rate so Nicorette Gum should not be taken if you suffer from heart disease, heart palpitations or uncontrolled angina. Because nicotine can also cause an increase in blood pressure, it is not to be used by people with high blood pressure not controlled with medication. If you are taking prescription medication for asthma or depression you may have to adjust the dosage of your prescription. Nicorette Gum should not be used if you are under 18 years of age. It should be kept out of the reach of children and animals at all times. Nicorette Gum is not to be taken by non-smokers.
If you are unsure about any of the restrictions or medical conditions stipulated above, you should consult with your doctor or a pharmacist before you start using Nicorette Gum. They will be able advise you whether the imperative that you stop smoking immediately is more important than the risks represented by these cautions. They can tell you the effects Nicorette Gum may have when taken in conjunction with other medications.
It is recommended that you do not smoke at all while using Nicorette Gum. Failure to do so, while also being counter-productive to efforts to stop smoking, exposes the user to the risk of an overdose of nicotine. While rare, this can have serious health consequences. These include vomiting, diarrhoea, difficulty breathing, an irregular pulse, abdominal pain and, potentially, even a loss of consciousness.
Nicorette Gum is less conspicuous than using the Nicorette Inhaler. For all that anyone else knows, that could just be normal gum you are chewing. It also serves as a deterrent to snacking which is one reason why people who quit smoking gain weight.
Does Nicorette Gum have any side effects?
Many of possible side effects of Nicorette Gum relate to the intake of nicotine and may be related to not chewing the gum as instructed. Symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and weakness are signs of nicotine overdose. Symptoms such as headaches, lethargy or dizziness, however, can also be indictors that not enough nicotine is being absorbed to overcome the body's pre-established dependence on nicotine.
Side effects specifically connected to the use of the gum tend to appear in the early part of the treatment programme. A muscle ache in the jaw may occur due chewing the gum. A sore throat or sore mouth, along with potential ulceration, may become apparent in the first few weeks of use. Skin redness or rashes may occur. Most of the side effects are only temporary but should you become concerned about them contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Which Nicorette Gum product should I use?
There are two strengths of Nicorette Gum, regular 2 milligram (mg) and extra strength 4 mg. Each packet contains 105 pieces of gum. If you are a moderate smoker who smokes less than 20 cigarettes a day then it is suggested that you start by using the 2mg strength. If you are a heavy smoker who smokes more than 20 cigarettes a day then the 4mg gum is probably the best place to start. It comes down to what works for you. Heavy smokers are generally more successful in giving up smoking when they use the 4mg gum. If you are unsure as to which strength to use you could try the regular 2mg strength first and change up to the extra strength 4mg if the 2mg proves unsatisfactory.
The big advantage with using Nicorette Gum as the NRT is that you can easily control the dosage of gum required to satisfy your nicotine cravings and control your nicotine withdrawal symptoms. The gum delivers nicotine to the bloodstream faster than the slow release of a nicotine patch. Taking a piece of Nicorette Gum at the onset of nicotine cravings should provide quick relief. If you are not using enough gum or you are using a weaker strength than you need you will probably notice the nicotine withdrawal symptoms familiar to smokers who suddenly stop smoking. With both strengths of gum you have a choice of two flavours, Classic (plain) and Mint. Which you choose is a matter of taste. Regardless of which flavour you choose the taste may initially take a little getting used to.
How much Nicorette gum should I use?
The amount of Nicorette Gum that you use depends on how severe your smoking habit is. As a general rule, it is recommended that you do not use more than 24 pieces of gum daily. For some people taking a piece of Nicorette Gum when the urge to smoke emerges is the best method and usually results in around 12 pieces of gum being adequate for daily use. For others it is best to have a regular schedule of use to help prevent nicotine cravings in advance. Think of it as being like dehydration. By the time you feel thirsty your body is often already dehydrated. By using Nicorette Gum only in response to the urge to smoke some people fail to keep the level of nicotine in their bloodstream high enough to stave off the withdrawal symptoms.
The recommended minimum length of treatment is three months. This 3 month period will give you a chance to overcome your dependence on cigarettes and gives you the important assistance you need over this crucial period when quitting is most difficult. For the first 6 weeks, Weeks 1-6, you are to take one piece of Nicorette Gum every 1 to 2 hours. In the next three week period, Weeks 7-9, you would only take one piece of gum every 2 to 4 hours. Over the last three week period of the programme, Weeks 10-12, you would take only one piece of Nicorette Gum every 4 to 8 hours. From then on you can gradually reduce the amount of gum taken each day until you feel ready to stop the treatment. Should you ever feel like having a cigarette you can have a piece of Nicorette Gum and avoid relapsing into the habit of smoking. Most people would be expected to be able to cease using the gum after six months of treatment, although some heavy smokers may need to take Nicorette Gum for longer periods to prevent them from starting smoking again. Nicorette Gum is easier to give up than smoking. It does not recreate many of the pleasurable aspects of smoking that smokers derive satisfaction from.
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