Nicoderm CQ Side Effects

Generic name: nicotine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Aug 28, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Nicoderm CQ Side Effects associated with nicotine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Nicoderm CQ.

Applies to nicotine: gum, lozenge/troche.

Other dosage forms:

• inhalation device
• nasal spray
• transdermal patch extended release

Common side effects of Nicoderm CQ

Some side effects of nicotine 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:

Serious side effects of Nicoderm CQ

Along with its needed effects, nicotine (the active ingredient contained in Nicoderm CQ) 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 while taking nicotine:

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

Symptoms of overdose

• dizziness
• fast heartbeat
• nausea or vomiting
• weakness

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to nicotine: compounding powder, inhalation device, nasal spray, oral transmucosal gum, oral transmucosal lozenge, transdermal film extended release.

General

Oral Formulations: The most commonly reported side effects were cough and irritation of the throat and mouth.

Nasal Spray: The most commonly reported side effects included nasal irritation, watering eyes, and cough.

Transdermal Patch: The most commonly reported side effects included local skin reactions (e.g., burning, edema, erythema, irritation, urticaria).^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Throat irritation (up to 40%), cough (up to 32%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hiccups, nasal congestion, pharyngitis, pharyngolaryngeal pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm, dysphonia, dyspnea, sneezing, throat tightness, oropharyngeal pain, rhinorrhea
• INHALATOR/INHALER:
• Very common (10% oR more): Cough (up to 32%), rhinitis (up to 23%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Sinusitis, bronchitis, hiccup
• MOUTH SPRAY:
• Frequency not reported: Cough, nasopharyngitis, hiccups
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Common (1% to 10%): Cough, throat irritation, dyspnea, epistaxis
• Frequency not reported: Hiccup, sneezing, transient epistaxis, pharyngitis, hoarseness, bronchitis, bronchospasm, increased sputum oropharyngeal discomfort and pain
• NICOTINE BITARTRATE LOZENGE:
• Common (1% to 10%): Hiccups
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Common (1% to 10%): Cough
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dyspnea, upper respiratory tract infections^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 26%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Burning sensation, dizziness, dysgeusia, paresthesia
• Frequency not reported: Poor concentration
• Postmarketing reports: Tremor, seizures
• INHALATOR/INHALER:
• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 26%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Paresthesia, dizziness
• MOUTH SPRAY:
• Frequency not reported: Dizziness
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Very common (10% or more): Headache (up to 18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, paresthesia or mouth/head/limb paresthesia
• Frequency not reported: Aphasia, numbness, amnesia, migraines, impaired/poor concentration, somnolence, tremor, incoordination, transient changes in taste
• NICOTINE BITARTRATE LOZENGE:
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Common (1% to 10%): Dizziness, headache, motor dysfunction
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresthesia, dysgeusia, somnolence
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Tremor^[Ref]

Local

NASAL SPRAY:

Very common (10% or more): Rhinorrhea/nasal irritation or discomfort (up to 94%)

Frequency not reported: Nasal congestion, sinus irritation, transient changes in the sense of smell, runny nose, nasal paresthesia, numbness of nose, nasal ulcer/blister, burning of nose or eyes

TRANSDERMAL PATCH:

Very common (10% or more): Local skin/application site reactions (up to 20%)

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Localized myalgia, irritation, burning, edema, pain and discomfort^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, abdominal pain/upper abdominal pain, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, flatulence, salivary hypersecretion, constipation, vomiting, oral discomfort, stomatitis, toothache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Eructation, glossitis, oral paresthesia, gingivitis, oral mucosal blistering and exfoliation
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Dysphagia, oral hypoesthesia, retching
• Frequency not reported: Dry throat, gastrointestinal discomfort, lip pain
• Postmarketing reports: Ulcerative/aphthous stomatitis
• GUM:
• Frequency not reported: Indigestion and heartburn
• INHALATOR/INHALER:
• Very common (10% or more): Dyspepsia (up to 18%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Tooth disorders, taste disturbances, nausea, diarrhea, flatulence, mouth and throat irritation
• Frequency not reported: Aphthous stomatitis
• MOUTH SPRAY:
• Frequency not reported: Constipation, mouth ulceration, gingival bleeding, mouth or throat irritation
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, constipation, stomatitis, flatulence, tooth disorder, gum problems
• Frequency not reported: Gastrointestinal discomfort, abdominal pain, nausea, dry mouth, diarrhea, aphthous ulcer
• NICOTINE BITARTRATE LOZENGE:
• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, flatulence, gastritis, dry mouth, stomatitis, esophagitis
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dyspepsia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gastrointestinal discomfort, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, dry mouth
• Frequency not reported: Aphthous stomatitis^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Abnormal dreams
• Frequency not reported: Dysphoria, depression/depressed mood, irritability, aggression, frustration/anger, restlessness/impatience, anxiety, cravings/urges to smoke, nighttime awakenings/sleep disturbances
• Postmarketing reports: Nervousness
• INHALATOR/INHALER:
• Common (1% to 10%): Withdrawal symptoms/syndrome, anxiety, sleep disorder, depression, drug dependence
• MOUTH SPRAY:
• Frequency not reported: Dysphoria, depression/depressed mood, irritability, frustration/anger, difficulty concentrating, restlessness/impatience, insomnia, anxiety
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Common (1% to 10%): Anxiety, irritability, restlessness, emotional lability, insomnia, withdrawal symptoms, cravings/urges to smoke
• Frequency not reported: Confusion, aggression, dysphoria, depression, apathy, nighttime awakenings/sleep disturbances, increased dreaming, feelings of dependence
• NICOTINE BITARTRATE LOZENGE:
• Frequency not reported: Insomnia, nicotine (the active ingredient contained in Nicoderm CQ) dependence, withdrawal symptoms
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Common (1% to 10%): Agitation, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, abnormal dreams
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Attention disturbance, affect lability, irritability, depressed mood, confusion
• Frequency not reported: Sleep disturbances^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypersensitivity reactions
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Allergic reactions and angioedema
• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reactions
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity
• Frequency not reported: Angioedema, anaphylactic reactions
• NICOTINE BITARTRATE LOZENGE:
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reactions
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersensitivity reaction
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylactic reaction, angioedema^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthenia, malaise
• Postmarketing reports: Influenza-type illness
• GUM:
• Frequency not reported: Denture damage
• INHALATOR/INHALER:
• Common (1% to 10%): Influenza-like symptoms, fatigue, pain, fever
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fatigue, malaise
• Frequency not reported: Asthenia, pain, earache, calming sensation, abnormal taste or use of dosage form
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Asthenia/asthenic conditions, malaise, fatigue^[Ref]

Ocular

• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, increased lacrimation
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Common (1% to 10%): Increased lacrimation/watering eyes
• Frequency not reported: Eye irritation, abnormal vision
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blurred vision^[Ref]

Genitourinary

NASAL SPRAY:

Common (1% to 10%): Dysmenorrhea

Frequency not reported: Menstrual disorder^[Ref]

Immunologic

INHALATOR/INHALER:

Common (1% to 10%): Allergy

NASAL SPRAY:

Frequency not reported: Allergy^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flushing, hyperhidrosis, pruritus, rash, urticaria, dry skin
• Frequency not reported: Erythema
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Common (1% to 10%): Hyperhidrosis/increased sweating, pruritus, rash, acne
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flushing/facial flushing
• Frequency not reported: Erythema, urticaria
• NICOTINE BITARTRATE LOZENGE:
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Angioneurotic edema
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus, rash, urticaria with/without vesicles
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Flushing/hot flush, hyperhidrosis
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Erythema, skin discoloration, cutaneous vasculitis
• Frequency not reported: Angioneurotic edema^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations, tachycardia, hypertension, chest discomfort and pain
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Reversible atrial fibrillation
• Frequency not reported: Bradycardia/decreased heart rate, atrial fibrillation
• INHALATOR/INHALER:
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest discomfort, hypertension
• NICOTINE BITARTRATE LOZENGE:
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Atrial arrhythmia
• MOUTH SPRAY:
• Frequency not reported: Presyncopal symptoms
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Common (1% to 10%): Palpitations, chest discomfort/tightness and pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypertension
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Reversible atrial fibrillation
• Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, peripheral edema, decreased heart rate/bradycardia
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Palpitations, tachycardia, hypertension, chest discomfort and pain
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Reversible atrial fibrillation^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Jaw pain, musculoskeletal pain
• Frequency not reported: Muscle tightness
• INHALATOR/INHALER:
• Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia, back pain, jaw and neck pain
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Common (1% to 10%): Back pain, arthralgia
• Frequency not reported: Myalgia
• TRANSDERMAL PATCH:
• Common (1% to 10%): Myalgia, arthritis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arthralgia, muscle cramp, back pain
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pain in extremity^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Increased appetite, weight gain
• MOUTH SPRAY:
• Frequency not reported: Increased appetite, weight gain
• NASAL SPRAY:
• Frequency not reported: Weight gain, increased appetite^[Ref]

Hematologic

NASAL SPRAY:

Frequency not reported: Purpura^[Ref]

Frequently asked questions

• How long does nicotine withdrawal last?
• How long does nicotine stay in your system?
• What are the side effects of vaping?

Further information

Nicoderm CQ side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer