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Nicotine (Oral, Oromucosal)

Generic name: nicotine [ NIK-oh-teen-pol-a-KRIL-ex ]
Brand names: Commit, Nicorelief, Nicorette
Drug class: Smoking cessation agents

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 7, 2024.

Uses for nicotine

Nicotine oral chewing gum and lozenges are used to help you stop smoking. Nicotine is absorbed from the gum or lozenge in the mouth and enters the blood stream. This replaces the nicotine you would get from smoking and makes the withdrawal effects from not smoking less severe. The amount of nicotine is decreased over time until use is stopped.

This medicine is available without a prescription, but proof of age (18 years or older) is required.

Before using nicotine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of oral nicotine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Small amounts of nicotine can cause serious unwanted effects in children, and lozenges or gum contain enough nicotine to cause problems, including used pieces.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of oral nicotine in geriatric patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Proper use of nicotine

Use this medicine exactly as directed in the dosing section on the label. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This medicine comes with a patient instruction booklet. Read and follow these instructions carefully.

It is also important to use a stop-smoking program that may include education, counseling, and psychological support. This may make it easier for you to stop smoking.

Begin using this medicine on your "quit" day, even if you are not able to stop smoking immediately.

Chewing gum:

Lozenges:

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Wrap used pieces of gum in paper and throw them away in the trash. If you remove a lozenge before it dissolves, wrap it in paper and throw it away in the trash. Make sure the gum or lozenge is out of the reach of children and pets.

Precautions while using nicotine

It is important to finish the program completely. If you need to use oral nicotine for a longer period of time, talk to your doctor.

Pregnant women should only use this medicine as directed by a doctor. Cigarette smoke can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using medicine. Although this medicine is believed to be safer than smoking, the risks to your child from this medicine are not fully known.

Nicotine products must be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Small amounts of nicotine can cause serious unwanted effects in children, and used gum or lozenges may contain enough nicotine to cause problems. If the gum or lozenges are swallowed, contact your doctor or poison control center at once.

If the chewing gum sticks to your dental work or causes loose fillings, check with your medical doctor or dentist.

This medicine contains sodium. Talk to your doctor if you are on a sodium-restricted diet.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

Side Effects of nicotine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Rare

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Less common

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

In Canada

Available Dosage Forms:

Therapeutic Class: Smoking Cessation Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Cholinergic System

Frequently asked questions

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Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.