Nicotine

Brand names

• Habitrol
• Nicoderm
• Nicoderm CQ
• Nicorette
• Nicorette DS
• Nicorette Plus
• Nicotrol
• Nicotrol Inhaler
• Nicotrol NS
• Prostep
• Transdermal

Usage

To reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms as part of a comprehensive smoking cessation program.

How it works

It replaces the nicotine that would otherwise be taken in by tobacco use.

Side effects

Serious

With gum: injury to mouth, dental work, or teeth. Call your dentist. With patch: hives, itching, skin rash, or swelling. Call your doctor immediately.

Common

Mild headache; rapid heartbeat; increased appetite; increased salivation (with gum); sore mouth or throat; pain in jaw or neck; tooth problems (with gum); belching (with gum); redness, burning, or itching at site of application (with patch); changes in taste perception.

Less common

Constipation, diarrhea, lightheadedness, dry mouth, hiccups (with gum), hoarseness (with gum), nervousness, irritability, loss of appetite, menstrual pain, joint or muscle pain, stomach upset, sweating, insomnia, unusual dreams.

Possible interactions

Other medicaments:

Nicotine may increase the effects of:

• adenosine.
• niacin (flushing and dizziness).

The following medicaments may increase the effects of nicotine:



• antacids, such as Tums used prior to chewing nicotine-containing gum-may increase the absorption of nicotine from the gum.
• cimetidine (Tagamet).
• lithium (Lithobid).
• ranitidine (Zantac).

Nicotine taken concurrently with:



• niacin (Nicobid, others) can cause severe facial flushing.

Herbal medicines or minerals:

Using ephedra, kola or similar products may accentuate nervousness and anxiety people have when trying to quit smoking. On the other hand, valerian and kava kava may help ease tensions associated with smoking cessation. Talk to your doctor before combining any herbal medicine with nicotine.

Alcohol:

May cause an increase in cardiovascular effects.

Tobacco smoking:

Avoid all forms of tobacco completely.

Marijuana smoking:

Avoid completely.

Exposure to cold:

Use caution until tolerance is determined. Cold environments may enhance the vasospastic action of nicotine.

Heavy exercise or exertion:

Patients with angina, coronary artery disease or hypertension should use this medicament with caution.

Discontinuation:

As soon as a lasting cessation of smoking has been achieved, these medicaments should be gradually reduced in dose and then discontinued. Continual use of the chewing gum or inhaler should not exceed 6 months, the nasal spray form no longer than 3 months and the transdermal system no more than 20 weeks.

Special storage instructions:

Store nicotine gum at room temperature and protect from light. Store nicotine patches at room temperature, and be especially careful to avoid exposing the patches to temperatures greater than 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Do not store unpouched. Once opened, patches should be used promptly because they may lose their strength.