Stop Smoking Help

The Truth about Nicotine Gum Effects

There are many different nicotine-based products on the market that promise to satisfy a smoker’s craving for nicotine. The most popular ones include patches, inhalers, sprays, tablets, lozenges, and gums.

While aware of the potential nicotine gum effects, many smokers, nevertheless, opt for nicotine gum as their choice for nicotine replacement therapy.

How Does Nicotine Gum Work?

One of the most popular nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) is nicotine gum. The fact is that the nicotine used in nicotine gum is indeed actual nicotine; however, the gum is not actual gum but a resin. The FDA regulates the nicotine in all NRT.

Chewing nicotine gum is less hazardous to your health than inhaling a cigarette. It is released directly into the bloodstream from the lining in your mouth. The gum is designed to eliminate cigarette withdrawal symptoms such as cravings, headaches, irritability, insomnia, and poor concentration. It produces a tingly feeling in the mouth and has a pepper-like taste. It travels throughout the bloodstream, satisfying a smoker’s nicotine craving for a short period of time.

To attain the best results, it should be slightly chewed, then stored between the cheeks and gums until the tingling and pepper taste has disappeared. The process is repeated until there is no more nicotine left in the gum, or until the user’s craving for nicotine has been depleted.

Several companies manufacture nicotine gum under various brand names: Nicorette, which is the oldest and most widely known, Nicotrol, Nicomild-2, Nicorest, Thrive, as well as others. Nicotine gum can be purchased in Pharmacies or online at varying costs.

How to Use Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is available in two strengths: 2 mgm and 4mgm. You can start with the lower dose of 2 mgm and if it satisfies the craving, stay with it. However, if you find that you are still experiencing cravings with 2 mgm, try increasing the dose to 4 mgm. Choose whatever works best for you. Many heavy smokers have found success with the higher dosage.

You may chew nicotine gum whenever you have a craving, up to 10 pieces a day. Nicotine gum should not be chewed like regular gum; it should be chewed slowly for about a minute and then placed at the side of your mouth, against the skin of your cheek. Every now and then, chew a little more to release additional nicotine.

Do not mix the nicotine gum with any other gum or hard candy as swallowing the nicotine can cause an upset stomach, nausea or even vomiting. You may use nicotine gum in conjunction with another NRT such as the patch or nasal spray.

Do not eat or drink within a half hour of using nicotine gum. As with all nicotine replacement therapy, it is most important to use the product according to the label’s instructions in order to obtain the desired effect.

Common nicotine gum effects include tingling in the mouth when chewing, headache, hiccups, indigestion, jaw ache, nausea, mouth and throat irritation, and stomach discomfort. Usually, these side effects disappear shortly after the piece of chewed gum is discarded.

However, chewing the gum fast and improperly could lead to some disturbing side effects such as vomiting, coughing, constipation, mouth ulcers, heartburn, dizziness, and insomnia. You may be able to prevent these unpleasant side effects by chewing more slowly and by meticulously following the instructions on the package.

Risks and Precautions
Precaution is advised when using gum for nicotine replacement therapy. If you are using it with any other NRT, far less is needed than the instructions indicate. There is a risk of nicotine overdose. You must notify your health care provider immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: hyperactivity, fainting, irregular heartbeat, blurred vision, mental confusion, weakness or drooling. Always dispose of the gum safely and keep it away from children and pets. Never smoke when using NRT.

Other Stop Smoking Aids

Since smoking is such an important health issue, your desire to stop smoking is commendable. If nicotine gum alone is not helping you kick the habit, seek other alternatives.

• Some pharmaceutical companies offer reading material and systematic instructions on how to quit smoking
• Physicians can prescribe medicine to help smokers quit
• Individual counseling
• Support groups offer encouragement in the battle against nicotine
• Various coupons and cash backs are offered to help defray the cost of NRT.

Not every smoker succeeds on the first try. It may take several attempts, but it is important not to give up.