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What is nicotine?
Nicotine is the primary ingredient in tobacco products.
Nicotine in medical products is used to aid in smoking cessation. Using a controlled amount of nicotine helps reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking.
Nicotine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Precautions
You may not be able to use certain forms of this medicine if you have medical conditions that could interfere with use. Nasal or sinus problems (allergies, nasal polyps, sinusitis) could affect safe use of the nasal spray form of nicotine. Mouth or dental problems may affect safe use of nicotine gum or lozenges. A skin condition may affect safe use of nicotine transdermal patches. Talk with your doctor about the best form of nicotine for you to use.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
- heart disease, an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure or chest pain;
- a jaw condition called TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disease;
- an overactive thyroid;
- diabetes;
- pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
- liver or kidney disease;
- a stomach ulcer; or
- asthma or chronic pulmonary disease.
Nicotine oral lozenges may contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
Nicotine can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use nicotine if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.
Nicotine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
The nicotine transdermal patch may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the patch before undergoing such a test.
Do not smoke while you are using nicotine. Stop smoking as soon as your treatment begins. Smoking while using this medication can be dangerous.
Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine, or if anyone has accidentally swallowed it.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; stomach pain; cold sweat; headache; dizziness; problems with hearing or vision; confusion; uneven heartbeats; chest pain; seizures; and death.
Since nicotine is used as needed, you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using nicotine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
- seizures; or
- chest pain or uneven heartbeats.
Less serious side effects may include:
- dizziness;
- belching or hiccups;
- stomach upset or nausea;
- mouth or throat soreness;
- dry or watering mouth;
- watering eyes;
- headache;
- runny or stuffy nose (when using the nasal spray);
- white patches or sores inside your mouth or on your lips (when using the inhaler);
- constipation;
- sneezing and coughing;
- changes in taste; or
- redness, itching, or burning where the patch is worn.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interactions
Before using nicotine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- imipramine (Tofranil);
- oxazepam (Serax);
- propranolol (Inderal), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), or prazosin (Minipress);
- theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair);
- pentazocine (Talwin), or
- insulin.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with nicotine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04