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Nicotine
What is it? Overview Usage Side Effects and Warnings
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Nicotine Overview

Written by FoundHealth.

(nik oh TEEN)

U.S. Brand Names

Commit® [OTC]; NicoDerm® CQ® [OTC]; Nicorette® [OTC]; Nicotrol® Inhaler; Nicotrol® NS; Thrive™ [OTC]

Canadian Brand Names

Habitrol®; Nicoderm®; Nicorette®; Nicorette® Plus; Nicotrol®

Mexican Brand Names

Nicotinell TTS; Niquitin

Pharmacologic Category

Smoking Cessation Aid

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to nicotine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Chest pain or pressure or fast heartbeat.

• If you have temporomandibular joint disease and are using the nicotine gum.

• If you are smoking during recovery from a heart attack.

How does it work?

• Nicotine is a substitute for smoking and can help decrease withdrawal symptoms.

How is it best taken?

• Get counseling to improve the success of quitting.

Inhaler:

• Use inhaler as directed.

Gum:

• Do not swallow gum.

• Chew slowly until there is a tingling or peppery taste in the mouth.

• Then place between the cheek and gum.

• After the taste or tingle is gone, chew slowly again.

• Place between the cheek and gum at a different site once the taste or tingle returns.

• Keep repeating this for about 30 minutes or until the taste or tingle is gone.

• Do not eat or drink within 15 minutes of using gum.

Patch:

• Apply patch to clean, dry, healthy skin on the chest, back, belly, or upper arm. Move site with each patch.

Lozenge:

• Suck oral lozenge. Do not chew, break, or crush. Do not swallow whole.

• Take this medicine on an empty stomach. Take 15 minutes before or after meals.

Nasal:

• For the nose only.

• Shake well before use.

• Blow your nose before use.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Use a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not use a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2005-04-07 17:03:37.0

Modified: 2010-03-09 08:20:59.0

Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.

 
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