Nicotine Gum: A Complete Guide

What is Nicotine Gum?

Nicotine gum is a form of smoking cessation aid, which means it is intended to help people stop smoking. It generally works by replacing the nicotine that smokers usually get through tobacco products. Users normally gradually reduce their dosage until they no longer have cravings for it, or at least until the most bothersome nicotine withdrawal symptoms subside or lessen in severity.

The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal can be quite uncomfortable which is why a Replacement Therapy like nicotine gum is recommended.

Symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Anxiety
• weight gain

Nicotine gums are very hard products that are packaged in individual foil-packed containers. The gums contain either 2 or 4 mg of nicotine in each piece, which is approximately equal to the amount of nicotine in 1 to 2 cigarettes.

Top 5 Nicotine Gum: Readers Choice in 2022

What Are the Benefits of Nicotine Gum?

The most apparent benefit of nicotine gum is that it can help smokers quit tobacco.

Cigarettes are one of the major causes of various preventable illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, COPD, and more not mentioned.

Some nicotine gum benefits are:

• Reduced blood pressure and heart rate
• Decreased carbon monoxide levels in the blood
• Improved circulation
• Less coughing
• Better lung capacity
• Reduced risk of heart attack, cancer, and coronary disease

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) with gum can help people enjoy these benefits. A 1994 study showed that gum and patches are highly effective in assisting people in completing smoking cessation programs. In addition, this study estimated that NRT could help up to a third of the heaviest smokers drop the habit.

What Are Dosages of Nicotine Gum?

The dosage schedule depends on how soon an ex-smoker smokes after waking up.

• People who smoke within 30 minutes of waking up require 4 mg per serving
• while those who can wait 30 minutes or more after waking for a first cigarette can usually get by with the 2 mg dose.

Generally, people using gum for smoking cessation should use nine pieces a day during the first six weeks of treatment and no more than 24 pieces a day.

Like all medications, it is essential to use replacement therapy products in accordance with a doctor’s instructions. Additionally, it is equally important to finish treatment completely and follow every step of the program.

How to Use Nicotine Gum

• The gum is chewed at least 15 minutes after eating or drinking.
• You chew the gum until it softens up and begins to get a peppery taste and tingling sensation.
• At that point, you are supposed to put the piece between your gums and cheek and leave it in place.
• When the gum starts to lose the tingling sensation, you can chew it again until that feeling comes back
• Chewing the gum the first time can cause a little dizziness, which can feel like a buzz.

You can repeat this cycle as many times as necessary for up to 30 minutes. The body can absorb the nicotine into the bloodstream after being held in place next to the cheek. Slightly less than the full amount of nicotine in each piece of gum is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Smokers can use the product as much as once an hour, up to a total of 24 pieces per day. In general, you should step down the dosage of gum by spacing out the intervals between pieces by an increasing number of hours over a period of several weeks.

Nicotine gums are not considered safe for more than 12 weeks of use or by pregnant women.

Nicotine exposure of the levels seen in this chewing gum can cause some serious problems for the unborn child that can follow him throughout his life.

Nicorette Gum

Nicorette was initially introduced to the market as a prescription medication. This was the first pharmaceutical option to help quit smoking, and its development started as early as the late 1960s.

The product was then available in some countries in 1978 and in the U.S. shortly after. It was available by prescription only for many years, including in an eventual generic version, but then it was made available over the counter without a prescription.

Nicotine Replacement Products

Other nicotine replacement products that were similarly once available only by prescription but which are now available over the counter include nicotine lozenges (available in generic and under the brand name Commit) and nicotine inhalers.

Industry-funded studies showed that the use of such replacement products could reduce the cravings for a cigarette for up to 24 hours. However, some other independent studies showed that people needed additional support systems and used replacement therapy to quit smoking successfully.

Does Nicotine Gum Really Work?

The success rates for using nicotine gum are dependent on the study, which are mixed. However, according to The Chart, “The perception of the public using the product is that these are good forever – that these will result in you not smoking in three, five, 10 years.

Well, they were never designed to do that. They were designed to treat withdrawal, which is a symptom that occurs from stopping to probably six months, and then it usually ends.”

The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal pose the greatest risk to success during the early stages of quitting smoking. Avoid drinking coffee, soda, beer, or other acidic beverages while using these products as it interferes with the absorption of the nicotine.

Medical Warnings and Precautions for Nicotine Gum

There are pros as well as cons to using nicotine gum. Gum users should take precautions against replacing one addiction with another.

Some people could become addicted to gum. It cited a person on an internet forum who said she has needed to chew several pieces of gum for several years. 5 to 9 percent of users become addicted. Nicotine gum manufacturers say that their products are not intended for long-term use.

Can Chewing Nicotine Gum Be Harmful?

This gum may be fun to chew, but it is still a medication that was once available only by prescription. As such, it can have many potential side effects. Fortunately, although you cannot eliminate the possibility of side effects, they can be minimized by careful use of the medication.

Chewing gums too fast or “chain chewing” – having one piece immediately after another – can dramatically increase the risk of side effects. However, by avoiding these actions, you may not experience as many side effects.

Some of the most common side effects include the following:

• Mouth, jaw or tooth discomfort
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Rapid or pounding heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Rash
• Blisters or sores in the mouth

Long-Term Effects Nicotine Gum Side Effects

Because this product and other stop-smoking products are medications, they can have serious effects. The most severe risk from using such treatments is an accidental overdose or nicotine poisoning.

When this happens, it most often does so because people are doubling up and using nicotine replacement medication while also continuing to smoke. Replacement products that can help to strike out nicotine cravings are intended only to be used alone and to provide a substitute for nicotine addiction. Symptoms of nicotine overdose or poisoninginclude:

• Respiratory distress
• Quick and heavy breathing
• High blood pressure
• Seizures
• And even death.

Children are also at risk of nicotine poisoning if they find gum, particularly because of its similarity to other non-toxic forms of gum.

Even normal use of gum per the package directions can cause some health risks. For example, long-term use of the product can cause muscle weakness in the throat and lead to chronic hiccups, a feeling like your throat is closing, and irritation.

Nicotine in any form can also lead to a greater risk of heart disease and may contribute to throat, mouth, and esophageal cancers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and stroke.

Nicotine Gum for Pregnant

Pregnant women should not use these products because they may cause an increased risk of congenital disabilities, particularly if you were to use them within the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Pregnant should ask their doctors about safer methods to help them quit smoking.

It can be an effective tool in your total arsenal of options to help you quit smoking. However, it is very important to follow the instructions about using these powerful medications properly to make sure you use them safely and appropriately.

Nicotine Patch vs Gum

The 1994 study cited above stated that gums and patches are highly effective smoking aids. Highly dependent smokers responded best to 4 mg gum. The study further stated that patches were more convenient and required less instruction to understand.

Researchers concluded that NRT with gum and patches could help 15 percent of smokers quit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nicotine Gum FDA Approved in 2022?

The FDA approves Nicorette for over-the-counter use.

Is Nicotine Gum Addictive?

Nicotine is addictive in any form, which is why it is essential to strictly follow your doctor’s instructions and those on the package of the nicotine gum. Usage in accordance with those instructions will result in the patient being slowly weaned off nicotine.

How Long Can You Stay on Nicotine Gum?

Smoking cessation programs involving the use of gum last 10 to 12 weeks, or longer or shorter if a doctor says otherwise.

How Many Cigarettes is 2 mg of Nicotine Equal To?

The average cigarette contains 10 to 12 mg of nicotine. Using that amount as a basis for comparison, a 2 mg piece is the equivalent of a fifth to a sixth of a cigarette. This may not seem like enough to sate cravings, but it is not supposed to be. The idea is to ease cravings and lower the amount of nicotine a person needs until he does not need it all. If the strength were 12 mg, you would be replacing one habit with another.

How Many Cigarettes Is 4 mg of Nicotine Gum?

Nicorette does not directly replace a certain number of cigarettes. Instead, it gradually reduces the number of cigarettes the body needs over time.

Can I Drink Water While Chewing Nicotine Gum?

Drinking and eating should be avoided while you chew nic gum, especially soft drinks, coffee, and juice. Also, do not eat or drink fifteen minutes before or after using this product. Following this rule will result in more nicotine getting into the body.

What Is the Highest Strength of Nicotine Gum?

The highest strength Nicorette has listed on its site is 4 mg.

Is Nicotine Gum Safe?

These products are safe and approved by the American Food and Drug Administration. However, long-term use can result in side effects like high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and heart palpitations. Additionally, it should be kept away from children and pets. A child or pet injecting a piece of gum can result in a medical emergency. If this happens, notify an emergency room or veterinarian clinic immediately.

Is Chewing Nicotine Gum Better Than Smoking?

Nicotine gum is better than smoking in the sense that it gradually helps the person using them quit. In addition, as stated above, quitting reduces the risks of developing various cancers and diseases.

Is Nicotine Gum Healthier Than Vaping?

Both gum and vapes deliver nicotine to the body, and nicotine is an addictive chemical. Therefore, if a person’s goal is to be nicotine-free, and he or she wants to use gum or vaping to achieve that goal, then quitting gum and vaping will be necessary three to four months after starting therapy.

Summing It Up

Nicotine gum seems great; first, you can get the nicotine without the terrible things involved with cigarettes. However, then your gums start to recede, your breath smells bad all the time, and you have very strange digestive issues.

It is certainly a possibility if you plan to do the actual weaning off the program, but if you switch addictions, it could cause health problems in the future.

These products shouldn’t be used longer than 12 weeks or so, which can be difficult for some as they may become addicted to the gum. Some alternatives that we would certainly recommend are patches and vapor cigarettes. These are the nicotine replacement therapy products with the least risk and the highest success rate. Good luck!