Type of medicine: smoking deterrent
Generic and brand names: nicotine polacrilex, gum; Nicorette; Thrive
This medicine is a chewing gum used to help you stop smoking. The nicotine in the gum is absorbed into the body through skin in the mouth and lessens the urge to smoke.
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.
This nicotine replacement therapy comes in 2 strengths: one for those who smoke less than 24 cigarettes a day, and an extra strength for those who smoke more that 25 cigarettes a day.
When you feel like smoking, chew 1 piece of gum slowly until you feel a slight tingling sensation or peppery taste on your tongue. Stop chewing and place the gum between your teeth and cheek until the tingling is gone. Then chew the gum again until the tingling comes back. Start and stop in this way for about 30 minutes. You must chew slowly to get the full benefit from this medicine. If you still feel a craving to smoke even after chewing a piece of gum, you may chew a second piece. Do not chew more than 2 pieces in a row. Do not use more than 24 pieces of gum in 24 hours.
Do not eat or drink for 15 minutes before using the gum. Food and drink can keep the nicotine from being absorbed.
As your urge to smoke lessens, gradually decrease the number of pieces of gum you chew each day until you do not need it. This usually takes 2 or 3 months. Do not use this medicine for more than 6 months. If the gum sticks to your dentures, ask your healthcare provider or dentist what to do.
If you get blisters in your mouth, stop using the medicine and contact your healthcare provider.
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.
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: Sore mouth or throat, mouth blisters, change in sense of taste, belching, gas, headache, trouble sleeping, hiccups, stomach pain.
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.
