2 and 4 mg medical chewing gum
nicotine
What Nicorette is and what it is used for
Nicorette belongs to a group of medicines that are used to help you quit smoking.
The nicotine in Nicorette relieves nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking, thereby preventing relapse into smoking in smokers who are motivated to quit or facilitating a smoking reduction in smokers who can not or are unwilling to quit smoking.
When the body suddenly no longer supplies nicotine from tobacco, various discomforts called withdrawal symptoms to occur. Using Nicorette chewing gum can prevent or alleviate such discomfort and cravings by continuing to supply your body with a small amount of nicotine for a transitional period.
When you chew Nicorette, the nicotine is slowly released and absorbed into the oral cavity. Unlike cigarettes, Nicorette does not contain harmful tar and carbon monoxide.
Nicorette chewing gum should preferably be used in conjunction with a smoking cessation program.
Advice and support usually increase the chance of succeeding with your smoking cessation.
What you need to know before you take Nicorette
Do not take Nicorette
- if you are allergic to nicotine or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
- if you are under 12 years of age
- if you have never smoked
Warnings and cautions
Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse if you have any of the following conditions:
- recently (within 3 months) have had a heart attack or stroke
- chest pain ( unstable angina ) or angina at rest
- heart disease that affects the heart rate or heart rate
- high blood pressure that is not treated with drugs
- severe or moderate liver disease
- severe kidney disease
- diabetes
- overactive thyroid gland
- adrenal medial tumor ( pheochromocytoma )
- gastric ulcer or ulcer of the duodenum a
- inflammation of the esophagus
However, the risk of continued smoking always poses a greater danger than the use of Nicorette.
The chewing gum can get stuck in dentures and dental bridges and in some cases cause damage to them.
Children and young people
Adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 should only use Nicorette on the advice of healthcare professionals.
Nicorette chewing gum should not be used by children under 12 years of age.
Other drugs and Nicorette
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, or might take other medicines. This is especially important if you are taking medicines that contain
- theophylline to treat asthma
- tacrine for Alzheimer’s disease
- clozapine for schizophrenia
- ropinirole to treat Parkinson’s disease
Use of Nicorette medical chewing gum with food and drink
You should not eat or drink with chewing gum in your mouth. Concomitant use of coffee, juices, or soft drinks can reduce nicotine uptake. These drinks should be avoided 15 minutes before using the chewing gum.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
It is very important to stop smoking during pregnancy because smoking can impair fetal growth. Smoking can also cause the baby to be born prematurely or lead to miscarriage. It is best if you can stop smoking without using nicotine-containing medicines. If you are unable to do this, use Nicorette only after consulting your healthcare provider, your doctor, or your doctor who specializes in smoking cessation.
Nicorette chewing gum should be avoided during breastfeeding as nicotine passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. If your healthcare professional has recommended that you use Nicorette, the chewing gum should be taken immediately after breastfeeding.
Smoking increases the risk of infertility in women and men. The effects of nicotine on fertility are unknown.
Driving and using machines
No effects on the ability to drive or use machines have been observed.
Nicorette Mentolmint contains
- xylitol , which may have a laxative effect. Caloric value: 2.4 kcal / g xylitol, which corresponds to 1.5 kcal and 1.4 kcal per chewing gum (Nicorette Mentolmint 2 mg and 4 mg, respectively).
- butylhydroxytoluene (E321) from the chewing gum base, which may cause local skin reactions (eg contact dermatitis) or be irritating to eyes and mucous membranes.
- less than 1 mmol (23 mg) sodium per chewing gum , ie essentially ‘sodium-free’.
How to use Nicorette
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor, pharmacist or nurse has told you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Medical chewing gum 2 mg: can be used alone or in combination with Nicorette transdermal patch.
Medical chewing gum 4 mg: used alone.
The proper chewing technique is important. Nicorette should be chewed slowly and with breaks during which you let the chewing gum rest in your mouth before continuing to chew. Otherwise, you risk heartburn and hiccups.
The nicotine effects only appear after a few minutes. Therefore, one can not expect the same rapid satisfaction as smoking. The risk of poisoning is small if you happen to swallow the chewing gum because the nicotine is then released slowly and incompletely.
Treatment with only Nicorette chewing gum
Chewing gum strength should be chosen based on your nicotine addiction. If you smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day or if you have previously failed Nicorette 2 mg, 4 mg should be chosen. In other cases, 2 mg should be used.
Nicorette chewing gum should be taken when cigarettes would normally have been smoked or if the urge to smoke arises. At the beginning of the treatment, 1 chewing gum can be taken every two hours. Enough chewing gum should be taken every day. Dosage one is individually based on your nicotine addiction. In most cases, 8-12 chewing gums per day is enough. To maximize the chances of success, it is important not to underdose. A maximum of 24 chewing gums per day should be used.
Smoking cessation
The treatment time is individual. Normally, the treatment should last for at least 3 months. Thereafter, the nicotine dose is gradually reduced. Treatment should be stopped when the dose is reduced to 1-2 chewing gums per day.
Regular use of Nicorette chewing gum for longer than 1 year is not normally recommended.
In some cases, longer treatment times may be necessary to avoid a relapse into smoking.
Leftover chewing gum should be saved, as the urge to smoke may suddenly arise.
Smoke reduction
Nicorette chewing gum is used between smoking periods to prolong smoke-free intervals to reduce smoking as much as possible. If a reduction in the number of cigarettes per day has not been achieved after 6 weeks, professional help should be sought. Attempts to quit smoking should be made as soon as you feel ready, but no later than 6 months after starting treatment. If it is not possible to make a serious attempt to quit smoking within 9 months after starting treatment, then seek professional help (eg “Stop-smoking-line” tel no. 020-84 00 00).
Regular use of Nicorette chewing gum for longer than 1 year is not normally recommended.
In some cases, longer treatment times may be necessary to avoid a relapse into smoking.
Leftover chewing gum should be saved, as the urge to smoke may suddenly arise.
Treatment with Nicorette 2 mg chewing gum in combination with Nicorette transdermal patch
If you have a high nicotine dependence, the experience that nicotine cravings occur despite the use of nicotine drugs or if you have failed treatment with a nicotine drug alone, you can use Nicorette transdermal patches with Nicorette 2 mg chewing gum for quick relief of nicotine cravings.
NOTE! Read the package leaflet for Nicorette transdermal patches (included in that pack) before use.
Initial combination treatment
A 25 mg / 16-hour transdermal patch is applied in the morning and removed at bedtime for 8 weeks.
Use Nicorette 2 mg chewing gum with the patch as follows:
Take chewing gum when you feel the urge to smoke even though you are using Nicorette patches. The usual dose is 5-6 chewing gums per day. Use a maximum of 24 chewing gums per day.
After 8 weeks, gradually reduce the nicotine dose according to one of the following two options:
Weaning from nicotine replacement therapy 1
After the first 8 weeks, use patches with lower strength:
1 patch 15 mg / 16 hours daily for 2 weeks followed by 1 patch 10 mg / 16 hours daily for another 2 weeks.
At the same time, use as many chewing gums (2 mg) as during the initial treatment.
Then gradually reduce the number of chewing gums. Do not use chewing gum for more than 12 months from the start of treatment.
Weaning from Nicotine Drugs – Option 2
Discontinue the use of patches after the first 8 weeks. Then gradually reduce the amount of chewing gum. Do not use chewing gum for more than 12 months from the start of treatment.
The course of the combination treatment in tabular form
| Period | Band-Aid | Chewing gum 2 mg |
| Week 1-8 | 1 patch 25 mg / 16 hours daily | If necessary. The usual dose is 5-6 chewing gums per day (max 24) |
| Weaning from nicotine replacement therapy – option 1 | ||
| Week 9-10 | 1 patch 15 mg / 16 hours daily | Continue to use chewing gum if necessary |
| Week 11-12 | 1 patch 10 mg / 16 hours daily | Continue to use chewing gum if necessary |
| Up to 12 months | — | Gradually reduce the number of chewing gums |
| Weaning from Nicotine Drugs – Option 2 | ||
| Up to 12 months | — | Continue to reduce the number of chewing gums gradually |
If you take more Nicorette than you should
Nicotine overdose can occur if you smoke while using Nicorette chewing gum.
If you have ingested too much medicine or if e.g. If a child has ingested the medicine by mistake, contact a doctor or hospital for risk assessment and advice.
Nicotine doses tolerated by adult smokers during treatment can cause severe poisoning symptoms in children and can be fatal.
Symptoms of overdose include nausea, vomiting, increased salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, sweating, headache, dizziness, hearing loss and pronounced feeling of weakness. At high doses, these symptoms may be followed by low blood pressure, weak and irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, circulatory collapse, and generalized seizures.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse.
Possible side effects
Symptoms associated with quitting smoking (withdrawal symptoms)
Some of the side effects you experience when you quit smoking can be withdrawal symptoms, which occur due to reduced nicotine intake.
These symptoms include:
• Irritation, aggression, impatience, or frustration
• Anxiety, restlessness, or difficulty concentrating
• Waking up at night or sleep disturbances
• Increased appetite or weight gain
• Depression
• Smoke extraction
• Decreased heart rate
Bleeding gums or sores in the mouth
• Dizziness or fainting
Cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
• Constipation
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Nicorette can cause the same side effects as nicotine given in other ways. The side effects generally depend on the dose you take.
Irritation of the mouth and throat can be experienced, but most users adapt to this with continuous use.
If you notice any of the following serious and rare side effects, stop taking Nicorette and see a doctor immediately. Symptoms of angioedema (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people) :
- swelling of the face, tongue or throat
- difficult to swallow
- hives, rash and difficulty breathing
Very common side effects ( may affect more than 1 user in 10):
- Headache
- Cough, throat irritation
- Hiccups, nausea
Common side effects ( may affect up to 1 in 10 people):
- Local effects such as burning sensation, inflammation in the mouth, altered taste experience
- Dry mouth or increased salivation
- Stomach upset or stomach pain
- Vomiting, flatulence or diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Hypersensitivity ( allergy )
- Stinging sensation
Uncommon side effects ( may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- Nasal congestion, sneezing
- Breathing with wheezing ( bronchospasm ), difficulty breathing ( dyspnoea ), feeling of tightness in the throat
- Redness of the skin (swelling), increased sweating
- Tingling in the mouth, inflammation of the tongue, damage to the oral mucosa, voice changes, pain in the mouth and throat, belching
- Palpitations (a deviant experience of your heartbeat), increased heart rate, high blood pressure
- Skin rash (including hives ) and / or itching
- Abnormal dreams
- Discomfort and pain in the chest
- Feeling weak, feeling sick
- Pain in the jaw muscle
Rare side effects ( may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- Difficulty swallowing, decreased sensitivity in the mouth
- Nausea
- Abnormal heart rhythm ( atrial fibrillation )
Adverse reactions with an unknown frequency (frequency can not be estimated from the available data):
- Blurred vision, increased tear production (tear flow)
- Dryness in the throat, discomfort in the stomach, pain in the lips
- Reddening of the skin
- Allergic reaction with swelling of the face and mouth ( angioedema or anaphylaxis )
- Tight jaw
How to store Nicorette
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25 ° C.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiration date is the last day of the specified month.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
Content declaration
Nicorette Mentolmint 2 mg
- The active substance is nicotine. A chewing gum contains 2 mg of nicotine in the form of nicotine resinate.
- The other ingredients are: 591.5 mg xylitol, chewing gum base (contains butylhydroxytoluene E 321), sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate (anhydrous), magnesium oxide (light), acesulfame potassium, flavoring agents (peppermint oil, levomenthol, mint aroma), hypromellar, supramellar gel , (maize), titanium dioxide (E 171), carnauba wax and talc.
Nicorette Mentolmint 4 mg
- The active substance is nicotine. A chewing gum contains 4 mg of nicotine in the form of nicotine resinate.
- The other ingredients are: 579.5 mg xylitol, chewing gum base (contains butylhydroxytoluene E 321), sodium carbonate (anhydrous), magnesium oxide (light), acesulfame potassium, flavors (peppermint oil, levomentol, mint flavor), hypromellose , sucralose, pricelose, gelatin ), titanium dioxide (E 171), quinoline yellow aluminum lacquer (E 104), carnauba wax and talc
What the medicine looks like and contents of the pack
2 mg: whitish, coated chewing gum, approximately 15 x 15 x 6 mm
4 mg: cream-colored, coated chewing gum , approximately 15 x 15 x 6 mm
2 mg
Nicorette Mentolmint: 10, 12, 15, 24, 30, 48, 90, 96, 105, 204, 210 pcs in blister pack
4 mg
Nicorette Mentolmint: 12, 15, 24, 30, 48, 90, 96, 105, 204, 210 pcs in blister pack
All packages contain a package leaflet.
Not all pack sizes may be marketed.