This gum is one of a group of medicines called nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
If you smoke 20 or less cigarettes a day, this product will help relieve your cravings. If you smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day, 4mg nicotine gum may be more appropriate.
When you stop smoking your body misses the nicotine, which you have been absorbing from the smoke. You may experience unpleasant feelings and a desire to smoke ('craving'). This shows that you were dependent on nicotine. When you chew this gum (make sure you do so correctly - see How to chew the gum) nicotine is released and passes into your body through the lining of your mouth. This nicotine is sufficient to relieve the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness, irritability, headaches, inability to concentrate, light headedness or dizziness. It will also help to calm the cravings and urges to smoke but will not give you the 'buzz' you get from a cigarette.
As well as the effects of nicotine, you could be very attached to the habit of smoking. For example lighting up after a meal or in certain situations or when you are with particular people. These rituals are part of your smoking habit which you may have been doing for many years. To succeed in giving up you should try to avoid situation where you may be tempted to smoke. Think about the times when you are likely to miss smoking most and try to plan how you will cope on these occasions. Changing your routine will help you to break the habit of smoking.
Encouragement and support from your doctor, pharmacist, friends and family can make giving up less stressful and more successful.
You must not use the gum if :
You are pregnant or breast feeding.
You are under 18 years of age
You continue to smoke
Before you use the gum you should ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice if :
You have stomach ulcers or other stomach problems
You suffer from persistent indigestion or pains in the chest
You suffer from diabetes, over-active thyroid gland or have a tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma- your doctor will have told you).
You have had or still have angina pectoris (chest pain) or any other problem with your heart or blood vessels (such as pain in one or both legs when you walk).
You are regularly taking other medicines. Stopping smoking may require the dose to be adjusted.
You are allergic to any of the ingredients listed.
Do not exceed the stated dose. If you have false teeth that are poorly fitting or dirty you may have difficulty chewing the gum. If you experience this problem, nicotine in the form of a skin patch, inhaler or sublingual tablet may be sore suitable for you.
How many gums may I use and for how long?
Because smoking is an addiction, you may find it very difficult to give up. You will still have strong urges to smoke but if you follow these recommendations, you have a good chance of quitting.
Pick a start day when you will not be too stressed and stop smoking.
Use the gum whenever you feel the urge to smoke.
Most people use around 10 pieces of gum a day. You should not use more than 15 pieces a day.
Over a period of 3 months you should use the gum to relieve the cravings to smoke. After 3 months you should be able to reduce the use of the gum. You should try to use fewer pieces of gum each day. When you are using only one or two gums per day, you should stop completely. However, you should remember that you might feel a sudden craving to smoke long after you've given up and you can use the gum again if this should happen.
Remember, only use one gum at a time and chew it as explained in the section ' How to chew the gum'. Do not smoke or use any other nicotine - containing product at the same time.
What should I do if I have over-dosed or a child has taken some?
If you have used too many gums or a child has chewed or swallowed some you should contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department immediately. Take this leaflet and the pack with you. If an adult swallows a piece of gum, there is no great cause for concern; they may experience some nausea.
Are there any unwanted effects from the chewing gum?
Some effects you may notice in the first few days include a bitter taste, hiccups, sore throat, headaches, feeling sick, dizziness and mild indigestion or heartburn. These are rarely serious and maybe due to using too much gum, chewing it in a continuous manner, or swallowing too much nicotine. You should read the chewing instructions again.
If you develop palpitations, chest pain, an irregular (uneven) heart beat, leg pain or bad indigestion stop using the gum, do not smoke, and go to your doctor as soon as possible.
Occasionally some people are allergic to an ingredient in the gum and may develop a rash or itching or swelling of the tongue or mouth. If any of these occur, stop using the gum.
Use of more than 10 of the 2mg nicotine gum per day means that you may swallow up to 2 grams of the sugar, sorbitol. As this sugar is split in the body to fructose and to a lesser extent glucose, this may be significant to users with diabetes, or the rare condition Inherited Fructose Intolerance. Nicorette Mint Gums do not contain sorbitol.
If you feel nauseous or dizzy it could indicate that you are taking too much nicotine. You should cut down the amount of gum you are using; if you are still smoking some cigarettes, you should stop.
If you find it difficult to cut down and stop the use of this gum or are worried that without it you will start smoking again, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have any side effects not listed here you should tell your doctor or pharmacist.
When you stop smoking, you may experience mouth ulcers. The reason why this happens is not known but it is not caused by the gum.
Remember, nicotine gum is not intended as a substitute for smoking, it is an aid to giving up.
Looking after your medicine :
Do not use the gum after the 'use before' date on the box or blister strip.
Keep it in a cool and safe place (not above 25ºC) away from pets and children
Dispose of gum sensibly
Helpful Tips on Giving up -
You may have tried to stop smoking before and you know from bitter experience that it's not easy to give up cigarettes.
However, you have now taken the first constructive step towards becoming a non-smoker.
In overcoming your tobacco dependence you will have to tackle two problems :
1. Your smoking Habit
2. Your Addiction to nicotine.
Willpower :
The overriding success factor in quitting is how determined you are. The first few weeks of quitting will probably be the most difficult because your smoking ritual is still fresh in your mind. However, you will find that as time goes by, your willpower becomes stronger.
Telling friends, family and work colleagues that you have quit smoking and that you envisage a tough time ahead will encourage them to support you.
1) Pick the right day -
There is never a perfect time to give up smoking, but you should plan ahead by choosing a date in the not too distant future on which you are going to give up cigarettes completely. This is your Quit Day. Try to pick a day when you will not be too stressed.
2) Break your routine :
For a number of years you will have become accustomed to smoking at certain times, with particular people or circumstances. Think about the times you will miss smoking the most and plan how you will cope on these occasions. Changing your routine will help you break the habit of smoking.
3) Quit with a friend :
Quitting with a fellow smoker is a good idea. It will strengthen your resolve and build on your determination. Encourage a friend or family member to quit with you. It will give your morale a boost since there will be another person knowing exactly what you're feeling and with whom you can share your determination to quit smoking.
4) Remove any temptation :
To help yourself succeed be sure to remove all cigarettes, matches, lighters etc. from the home, the car and at work.
Ask your friends and colleagues not to offer you cigarettes or smoke close by you - but be careful not to offend them. Explain that you have given up. This type of support from friends is of greatest benefit for the first couple of weeks of quitting, as this is your most vulnerable time.
The last thing you want is a cigarette close at hand in a moment of weakness.
5) Take one day at a time :
When you reach your Quit Day, don't allow yourself to think that you're quitting for good. That will make it seem like a superhuman task. Just promise yourself "I won't have a cigarette today", and take it one day at a time. You'll be surprised how much that little thought helps.
6) Distract yourself :
Whenever you feel the urge to smoke coming on, distract yourself by keeping active. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Get up and Do something. Do that job around the house or garden that you've been putting off, or take up a hobby. Remember that the craving only lasts a few minutes.
7) Learn to relax :
Once you have stopped smoking, taking exercise regularly will not only help you get fitter but will encourage you relax. Exercise has the ability to relieve stress and tension.
Taken regularly it will benefit you physically and psychologically. If you haven't exercised for some time, take it slowly to begin with and increase the amount of time spent exercising over the course of a few weeks.
Not only will exercising help you relax but also helps to keep your weight under control, which some people find a problem when quitting.
8) Think cash - not ash :
One of the really noticeable benefits of "stopping" is the extra cash that's suddenly available. To emphasise the point put the money into a pot marked "cash not ash" and watch it accumulate. But be sure to use the money to treat yourself. You deserve a Reward for not smoking.
9) Dealing with relapses :
You might find that in time of distress, reaching for a cigarette is the only thing that will help you through. There may also be certain situation - particularly social situations such as a party or in the pub - where temptation just gets the better of you, so you smoke one or two cigarettes. You might feel that your only option is to go back to smoking.
Don't think of it as having failed, just think through the reasons why you wanted to quit in the first place and don't let these couple of cigarettes get the better of you. Refer back to your plan and start again. You can beat it !!
10) If you don't succeed :
Giving up is more difficult for some people than others. If you fail to stop first time, don't be disheartened. Try again at a later date - you can do it!
Remember the most successful long-term ex-smokers have usually had to try several times to stop smoking, if you don't succeed - quit, quit, again.
Caution :
Please always read the product leaflet carefully.