Using the Nicotine Gum Using the Nicotine Gum Using the Nicotine Gum Using the Nicotine Gum

Nicorette® is a sugar-free nicotine gum used to help smokers slowly get off Nicorette® is a sugar-free nicotine gum used to help smokers slowly get off Nicorette® is a sugar-free nicotine gum used to help smokers slowly get off Nicorette® is a sugar-free nicotine gum used to help smokers slowly get off nicotine.When chewed correctly, and used on a regular schedule, it supplies a nicotine.When chewed correctly, and used on a regular schedule, it supplies a nicotine.When chewed correctly, and used on a regular schedule, it supplies a nicotine.When chewed correctly, and used on a regular schedule, it supplies a steady stream of nicotine to the body through the lining of the mouth.This steady stream of nicotine to the body through the lining of the mouth.This steady stream of nicotine to the body through the lining of the mouth.This steady stream of nicotine to the body through the lining of the mouth.This may help reduce the withdrawal symptoms that occur during the first weeks may help reduce the withdrawal symptoms that occur during the first weeks may help reduce the withdrawal symptoms that occur during the first weeks may help reduce the withdrawal symptoms that occur during the first weeks of quitting smoking. of quitting smoking. of quitting smoking. of quitting smoking.

Obtaining the Gum: its taste.The nicotine gets into your bloodstream Obtaining the Gum: its taste.The nicotine gets into your bloodstream Obtaining the Gum: its taste.The nicotine gets into your bloodstream Obtaining the Gum: its taste.The nicotine gets into your bloodstream It is available at most drugstores, either over-the- during the time the gum is “parked,”so make It is available at most drugstores, either over-the- during the time the gum is “parked,”so make It is available at most drugstores, either over-the-er the during the time the gum is “parked,”so make It is available at most drugstores, either over-the- during the time the gum is “parked,”so make counter or by prescription.The cost is about $55 sure not to keep chewing it like you would counter or by prescription.The cost is about $55 sure not to keep chewing it like you would counter or by prescription.The cost is about $55 sure not to keep chewing it like you would counter or by prescription.The cost is about $55 sure not to keep chewing it like you would for a starter pack (108 pieces) and $33 for a refill bubble gum. for a starter pack (108 pieces) and $33 for a refill bubble gum. for a starter pack (108 pieces) and $33 for a refill bubble gum. for a starter pack (108 pieces) and $33 for a refill bubble gum. (48 pieces). Some insurance companies will cover (48 pieces). Some insurance companies will cover (48 pieces). Some insurance companies will cover (48 pieces). Some insurance companies will cover the cost but may require a prescription and The Right Schedule: the cost but may require a prescription and The Right Schedule: the cost but may require a prescription and The Right Schedule: the cost but may require a prescription and The Right Schedule: enrollment in an approved smoking cessation A 10-12 week program is recommended, as enrollment in an approved smoking cessation A 10-12 week program is recommended, as enrollment in an approved smoking cessation A 10-12 week program is recommended, as enrollment in an approved smoking cessation A 10-12 week program is recommended, as program. outlined below: program. outlined below: program. outlined below: program. outlined below: Weeks 1-6: 1 piece every 1-2 hours. Weeks 1-6: 1 piece every 1-2 hours. Weeks 1-6: 1 piece every 1-2 hours. Weeks 1-6: 1 piece every 1-2 hours. The Right Dose: Weeks 7-9: 1 piece every 2-4 hours. The Right Dose: Weeks 7-9: 1 piece every 2-4 hours. The Right Dose: Weeks 7-9: 1 piece every 2-4 hours. The Right Dose: Weeks 7-9: 1 piece every 2-4 hours. Talk to your doctor first.A general guide is: Weeks 10-12: 1 piece every 4-8 hours. Talk to your doctor first.A general guide is: Weeks 10-12: 1 piece every 4-8 hours. Talk to your doctor first.A general guide is: Weeks 10-12: 1 piece every 4-8 hours. Talk to your doctor first.A general guide is: Weeks 10-12: 1 piece every 4-8 hours. • If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes per • Do not use more than 24 pieces a day. • If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes per • Do not use more than 24 pieces a day. • If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes per • Do not use more than 24 pieces a day. • If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes per • Do not use more than 24 pieces a day. day, start with 4mg. • Talk with your doctor about the schedule that day, start with 4mg. • Talk with your doctor about the schedule that day, start with 4mg.4 mg. • Talk with your doctor about the schedule that day, start with 4mg. • Talk with your doctor about the schedule that • If you smoke less than 25 cigarettes per day, will work best for you. • If you smoke less than 25 cigarettes per day, will work best for you. • If you smoke less than 25 cigarettes per day, will work best for you. • If you smoke less than 25 cigarettes per day, will work best for you. start with 2mg. start with 2mg. start with 2mg.2 mg. start with 2mg. Also, pay attention to how many pieces you use. Potential Problems: Also, pay attention to how many pieces you use. Potential Problems: Also, pay attention to how many pieces you use. Potential Problems: Also, pay attention to how many pieces you use. Potential Problems: Too much nicotine may cause nervousness, • Using the gum while pregnant may cause Too much nicotine may cause nervousness, • Using the gum while pregnant may cause Too much nicotine may cause nervousness, • Using the gum while pregnant may cause Too much nicotine may cause nervousness, • Using the gum while pregnant may cause dizziness, nausea, shakiness, insomnia, or problems.Talk with your doctor first. dizziness, nausea, shakiness, insomnia, or problems.Talk with your doctor first. dizziness, nausea, shakiness, insomnia, or problems.Talk with your doctor first. dizziness, nausea, shakiness, insomnia, or problems.Talk with your doctor first. headache.A dose that is too low may not reduce • You may not like the taste. headache.A dose that is too low may not reduce • You may not like the taste. headache.A dose that is too low may not reduce • You may not like the taste. headache.A dose that is too low may not reduce • You may not like the taste. withdrawal symptoms enough. • The gum may irritate your mouth or stomach, withdrawal symptoms enough. • The gum may irritate your mouth or stomach, withdrawal symptoms enough. • The gum may irritate your mouth or stomach, withdrawal symptoms enough. • The gum may irritate your mouth or stomach, so try not to suck on it. so try not to suck on it. so try not to suck on it. so try not to suck on it. Getting Started: • Acidic foods and drinks (like tomatoes and Getting Started: • Acidic foods and drinks (like tomatoes and Getting Started: • Acidic foods and drinks (like tomatoes and Getting Started: • Acidic foods and drinks (like tomatoes and Upon quitting smoking, begin using the gum on a orange juice) can lower the gum’s effectiveness. Upon quitting smoking, begin using the gum on a orange juice) can lower the gum’s effectiveness. Upon quitting smoking, begin using the gum on a orange juice) can lower the gum’s effectiveness. Upon quitting smoking, begin using the gum on a orange juice) can lower the gum’s effectiveness. regular schedule, NOT at every craving. Chew a Ask your pharmacist what foods and drinks regular schedule, NOT at every craving. Chew a Ask your pharmacist what foods and drinks regular schedule, NOT at every craving. Chew a Ask your pharmacist what foods and drinks regular schedule, NOT at every craving. Chew a Ask your pharmacist what foods and drinks piece until there is a peppery taste, then “park” it to avoid. piece until there is a peppery taste, then “park” it to avoid. piece until there is a peppery taste, then “park” it to avoid. piece until there is a peppery taste, then “park” it to avoid. between your gum and cheek until the peppery • Smoking while using the gum can increase between your gum and cheek until the peppery • Smoking while using the gum can increase between your gum and cheek until the peppery • Smoking while using the gum can increase between your gum and cheek until the peppery • Smoking while using the gum can increase taste is gone. Repeat this process (placing it in your heart rate or blood pressure and may taste is gone. Repeat this process (placing it in your heart rate or blood pressure and may taste is gone. Repeat this process (placing it in your heart rate or blood pressure and may taste is gone. Repeat this process (placing it in your heart rate or blood pressure and may different parts of the mouth) until the gum loses be dangerous. different parts of the mouth) until the gum loses be dangerous. different parts of the mouth) until the gum loses be dangerous. different parts of the mouth) until the gum loses be dangerous.

Remember: Remember: Remember: Remember: You’re doing the work, not the gum. Nicotine gum is just a tool to help. Make sure you plan for trigger You’re doing the work, not the gum. Nicotine gum is just a tool to help. Make sure you plan for trigger You’re doing the work, not the gum. Nicotine gum is just a tool to help. Make sure you plan for trigger You’re doing the work, not the gum. Nicotine gum is just a tool to help. Make sure you plan for trigger situations.And give yourself credit for every day you don’t smoke! situations.And give yourself credit for every day you don’t smoke! situations.And give yourself credit for every day you don’t smoke! situations.And give yourself credit for every day you don’t smoke!

QE04-9 /0 8 © 2005 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. This material was made possible by funds received QE04-9 /0 8 © 20052008 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. This material was made possible by funds received QE04-12/06 © 20052008 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. This material was made possible by funds received QE04-12/06 © 2005 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. This material was made possible by funds received from the California Department of Public Health under contract #05-45834. QE04-12/06QE04- /0810 from the California Department of Public Health,Health underunder contractcontract #05-45834.#05-45834. QE04-12/06QE04- /0810 fromfrom thethe CaliforniaCalifornia DepartmentDepartment ofof PublicPublic Health,Health underunder contractcontract #05-45834.#05-45834. from the California Department of Public Health under contract #05-45834.