Type of medicine: smoking deterrent
Generic and brand names: nicotine, intranasal; Nicotrol NS
This medicine is a nasal spray that contains nicotine. It is part of a program to help you stop smoking. The nicotine in this medicine is absorbed in the nostrils to reduce your craving for cigarettes.
It may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your health care provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Nicotine from any source can harm the baby. Do not become pregnant while using this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your healthcare provider. This treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, do not use this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves. Smoking can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using any nicotine replacement medicine.
You must stop smoking completely when you start using this medicine, and you must not smoke while using the medicine. Smoking while using this medicine may cause an overdose of nicotine with unpleasant side effects.
If you have tried to stop smoking using another form of nicotine replacement therapy and have not had any success, ask your healthcare provider if this medicine is right for you. Do not use this medicine with any other form of nicotine, because you may overdose.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Large amounts of nicotine can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweats, and severe side effects that can affect your hearing, vision, mental state, and breathing. Also, an overdose may cause convulsions and even death. Follow your healthcare provider's directions exactly. Changes in your behavior are also necessary for success.
One dose is 2 sprays (1 spray in each nostril). The total daily dosage is set by your healthcare provider based on how much you are used to smoking and any symptoms you have of too much nicotine. Do not use the spray more than 5 times in one hour or more than 40 sprays in a 24-hour period.
You will need to prime the spray pump before the first time you use this medicine. Hold the spray bottle with your thumb on the bottom of the bottle and your index and middle fingers on the tabs on the side of the pump. Push up with your thumb. Keep pumping into a tissue until the medicine sprays from the bottle.
Blow your nose gently to clear your nostrils. Put the tip of the spray pump into your nostril. Tilt your head back slightly and breathe in through your mouth. Spray the medicine into each of your nostrils. Do not sniff, breathe in, or swallow while spraying. Take the spray pump out of your nostril. Sniff gently if your nose runs. You can blow your nose after 2 or 3 minutes.
An instruction sheet is included in the package of this medicine. Read the information carefully. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you do not understand all of the instructions.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, cold sweat, headache, dizziness, trouble seeing or hearing, confusion, restlessness, fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, drooling, coma.
Caution: Nicotine can poison children and pets. Keep used and unused nicotine in a safe place out of the reach of children. Dispose of the medicine safely.
While using the spray, you may have some irritation in your nostrils. This irritation may become less bothersome after you have used the medicine a while.
When you have finished a container, rinse it with water before disposing of it.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Pale skin, cold sweats, nausea, increased saliva, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, confusion, weakness, very slow or very fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, trouble seeing or hearing, convulsions.
Other: Irritation of your nostrils, sneezing, back pain, headache, stomach pain, gas, gum problems.
When you stop smoking and start using any nicotine replacement (such as a nasal spray, patch, lozenge, or gum), the dosage of some medicines you may have been taking may need adjustment. Some of these medicines are:
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
