Nicorette Plus

Brand Name:Nicoderm, Nicorette

Prescription needed: No

What is this drug used for?

Nicotine is used to help you stop smoking. Smoking is a hard habit to break and the use of nicotine can help smokers break their physical and mental addiction to cigarettes, pipes and/or cigars.

Is there any reason not to take this drug?

You should not take this drug if you are allergic to nicotine. Before using nicotine as a patch, gum or inhaler, tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:

  • a recent heart attack or stroke
  • problems with your kidney or liver
  • problems with your heart
  • high blood pressure
  • a stomach ulcer
  • allergy to adhesive tape or have sensitive skin (may increase reactions to the patch)
  • problems with your thyroid or adrenal glands
  • asthma or other breathing problems (if using the inhaler)

What about possible side effects?

The most common side effects are:

  • hot flashes, feeling warm
  • redness, itchy, irritated skin (patch)
  • difficulty sleeping
  • nausea, heartburn (gum)
  • mouth sores, bad taste or jaw ache (gum)
  • hiccups (gum)
  • headache
  • coughing, throat irritation (inhaler)

Other less common side effects include:

  • feeling dizzy
  • high blood pressure
  • chest pain
  • fast heart beat

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you are concerned about these or other unusual symptoms while taking this medication, ask your doctor and/or pharmacist for more information and advice.

What if I am taking other drugs?

If you are going to stop smoking, it is important that you let your physician know as stopping smoking may change the way your body gets rid of some medications. Tell your doctor specifically if you are taking any of these drugs since he/she may need to make changes or monitor you more closely:

  • theophylline
  • oxazepam and other medications called benzodiazepines
  • insulin
  • labetalol, prazosin, doxazosin, terazosin
  • propranolol, metoprolol and other medications called beta-blockers

This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your list of medications.

Other information:

For this purpose, nicotine is available as a gum, skin patch or a mouth inhaler. This nicotine takes the place of the nicotine you normally get from smoking. The dose is decreased slowly over time to help ease the symptoms of withdrawal until it is eventually no longer required.

If you find you have not decreased or stopped smoking after four weeks of any nicotine replacement, then stop the medication. Wait until you set a new quit date and try again.

It is generally recommended that you do not smoke while using any nicotine replacement products. This may increase your chances of having severe side effects because of too much nicotine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for additional information.

How to use

Patch: Apply the patch every day as instructed. Take the patch off at night if you are having trouble sleeping or you are having nightmares. Otherwise wear it for 24 hours. This will help with cravings in the morning. When you remove a patch, be sure to fold it in half so that it sticks together; then completely discard it as it may still contain sufficient amounts of nicotine and could seriously harm a child or pet if consumed.

Take the patch off about two hours before any prolonged, strenuous exercise as this can increase the amount of nicotine that gets into your body. Reapply when you are finished.

Gum: Chew one piece of gum a few times and then hold it in the side of your mouth for one minute. Keep repeating this for approximately 30 minutes. This will help the medication get absorbed into your body. Do not drink acidic beverages (pop, juice) within 15 minutes of the gum.

Inhaler: Inhale or puff on the inhaler as needed. One inhaler contains 80 puffs and will last for 20 minutes of continuous puffing. You should try different ways of using the inhaler to best relieve your cravings. Try to reduce the number of puffs over time. Do not drink tea, coffee, pop or juice within 15 minutes of the inhaler.

Children: Not recommended.

Seniors: Increased sensitivity to side effects; may need to start with lower doses of the patch.

Pregnancy: Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks. If other methods are not working, nicotine or other medications may be your only choice to decrease the effects of smoking on your baby.

Women who are nursing: Generally not recommended but talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks compared to smoking.

People who drive or operate machinery: Should not do so until they know how this drug affects them personally.

Alcohol: No known problems. If you drink, always drink in moderation.

Overdose: If you experience any unusual reactions or if you seriously exceed the recommended dosage, call your doctor or 911.

Stopping the drug: You should stop this medication if it is not working and you are still smoking. However, you should talk to your doctor first.

If you miss a dose: Take it when you remember. Do not take a double dose.

Storage conditions: Closed container; cool, dry location away from excess moisture (not in the bathroom) and light; always out of reach of children.

Dietary precautions: None, unless prescribed by your doctor.