NICOTINE CHEWING GUM

Brand & Generic Names

Nicorette

Basic Information

• Habit forming? Yes
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antismoking agent

Uses

Treats smoking addiction.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Chewing gum tablets
Chew gum pieces slowly for best effect.
Follow detailed instructions on patient instruction sheet provided with prescription.

When to take:
Follow detailed instructions on patient instruction sheet provided with prescription.

If you forget a dose:
Follow detailed instructions on patient instruction sheet provided with prescription.

What drug does:
Satisfies physical craving for nicotine in addicted persons and avoids peaks in blood nicotine level resulting from smoking.

Time lapse before drug works:
30 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Coffee, soda or fruit juice within 15 minutes prior to chewing gum. They interfere with nicotine absorption.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Vomiting, irregular heartbeat, mouth watering, abdominal pain, diarrhea, headache (severe), fainting, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial O (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See Emergency Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section above.

Frequent:

Increased irritability causing heartbeat irregularity.

Common:

• Injury to loose teeth, jaw muscle ache.
• Belching, mouth irritation or tingling, excessive salivation.

Infrequent:

• Nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain.
• Lightheadedness, headache, hiccups, constipation, coughing, dry mouth, appetite loss.

Rare:

Insomnia.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are a non-smoker.
• You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
• You recently suffered a heart attack.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have coronary artery disease.
• If you have active temperomandibular joint disease.
• If you have severe angina.
• If you have peptic ulcer.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Don't use.

Prolonged use:
May cause addiction and greater likelihood of toxicity.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:

• Children are very susceptible to toxic effects of nicotine; low doses can be fatal.
• Can cause tooth fillings to be pulled out.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME OR	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Beta-adrenergic	Decreased blood
blockers*	pressure (slight).
Bronchodilators*	Excessive absorption of
	bronchodilator.
Caffeine	Increased effect of caffeine.
Cortisone* drugs	Increased cortisone circulating
	in blood.
Furosemide	Increased effect of furosemide.
Glutethimide	Increased absorption of glutethimide.
Imipramine	Increased effect of imipramine.
Insulin	Excessive insulin absorption.
	Dosage adjustment required.
Pentazocine	Increased effect of pentazocine.
Phenacetin	Increased effect of phenacetin.
Propoxyphene	Decreased blood level of
	propoxyphene.
Propranolol	Excessive absorption of
	propranolol.
Theophylline	Increased effect of theophylline.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased cardiac irritability.
	Avoid.
Caffeine.	Increased cardiac irritability.
	Avoid any beverage with caffeine.
Cocaine:	Increased cardiac irritability.
	Avoid.
Foods:	No problems expected.
Marijuana:	Increased toxic effects.
	Avoid.
Tobacco:	Increased toxic effects.
	Avoid.