Nicotine Gum - Another Type of Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Author: Raj Kumar
The Nicotine Gum is a fast-acting form of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) where nicotine goes into the body through the mucous membrane of the mouth. The nicotine gum comes in two strengths or dosages of nicotine: 2 mg and 4 mg. To use the nicotine gum, you must chew it slowly until a peppery taste is noted from it. For about 20 to 30 minutes, the cycle of chewing and then stopping by placing it for a few minutes inside your cheek to absorb the nicotine is done. When you're taking the gum, be sure to avoid acidic foods and drinks like coffee or soft drinks for at least 15 minutes before and during gum use as they can affect nicotine absorption.
It is recommended that you start with the 4 mg dose if you are used to smoking 30 minutes after waking up, or smoke a pack or more per day, or have difficulty not smoking in restricted areas. The gum is prescribed for 1 to 3 months use with a maximum of 6 months and limited to 20 pieces of gum per day. By reducing the amount of gum that you use in a day, it can make your need for nicotine to be controlled and will lead you to eventually stop.
An advantage of the nicotine gum is that it cannot cause skin irritations unlike the nicotine patch. Most smokers who have sensitive skin use the gum instead of the patch. It also allows you to control your nicotine intake by limiting your gum usage in a day and by having schedules of when you chew the gum during the day. Studies show that having fixed schedules of gum intake, say 1 to 2 gums in an hour, works better. You could also opt to use it when you only need it the most, when you have your cravings.
There are also disadvantages or side effects that are associated with the nicotine gum. People who have used the gum would usually complain of jaw discomfort due to chewing, mouth sores, throat irritations, and nausea. Swallowing the gum may also cause stomach aches and chewing it too fast may really hurt your jaw. Dental works can also be affected by the gum due to the nicotine content.
It has also been noted that the nicotine gum users tend to have long-term dependence on it. While it is only recommended for a 6-month maximum use, about 20% of the users say they keep using the gum until about a year. Though using the gum is a lot safer than going back to smoking, only a few facts have been known on the long-term use of nicotine gum. It is still advisable that you limit your use for a maximum of 6 months.
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Chewing nicotine gum versus smoking a cigarette?
I wanted to find out if there are any long-term health consequences if someone uses nicotine gum rather than smoking cigarettes. Can someone develop lung or oral cancer if they just chew nicotine gum over a long period of time? I know that smoking cigarettes can cause cancer plus you’re exposing people to second-hand smoke. I know some people when they are trying to quit smoking, they use the nicotine gum instead.
The nicotine doesn’t do any physical damage to the body. Chewing nicotine gum for the rest of your life would be better than smoking.
smoking cessation; nicotine gum?
i always thought nicotine keeps you addicted to smoking, but the tar is what is a danger to your health. now i hear nicotine causes damage to lungs also. does anyone know if this happens only when inhaled, or would the nicotine in the stop smoking gum also damage lungs? i have been using the gum to not smoke (haven’t smoked in 9 months, still addicted to the gum) my lungs are worst than when i smoked!
I don’t know the answer to whether nicotine damages you or not. It is a strong poison, so the chance is good that it does. If you have gone 9 months without smoking, you are free of the smoking addiction and your lungs are probably looking great. However, you are NOT free of the nicotine addiction. It’s not as hard as you think to free yourself of this. Actually, it’s easy. Read the book, “Easy Way to Quit” by Allen Carr. It worked for me. And you don’t even have to stop the nicotine until you have actually finished the book. The book helps a person get rid of all the brainwashing that makes us believe its difficult to stop smoking. That brainwashing is the reason people fail to stop sometimes.
If I can do it, you certainly can!
how do i stop smoking without using nicotine gum?
i want to quit smoking cus ive been smoking for a year and now im having trouble breathing. i tried nic gum but it doesnt work and is too expensive. what can i use to help?
I quit cold turkey, and it’s been almost a year and a half now. This is my second time quitting, the first time was for 8 months. I had started again the first time because I constantly put myself in situations where I would normally smoke – so I recommend trying to avoid situations where you smoke, and maybe try to hang out with friends who don’t smoke exclusively for awhile.
I have friends who have done the gum, the patch, the lozenges, the inhaler… etc etc. Nothing works for them. Personally, I think that having a scape goat like gum just sets you up for failure, because you are still working with the idea that you NEED something – either smoking, or something to replace the smoking.
In my opinion, the only way to really quit for good is with sheer willpower, and with changing the way you think – by teaching yourself to dislike smoking, and to not need smoking.
PS: if you are having trouble breathing, you should really see a doctor.
anyone quit smoking with nicotine gum?
My quit day is today, I took my first piece of gum maybe 10 minutes ago, my throat is almost swelling up it feels and tastes nasty, and my stomach hurts. it’s 4mg nicotine gum. i have to quit for an upcoming 3 month water sports event. it’s 2 months away, but my question is…does the gum give most people nausea at first, will i adjust to it? and how long should i chew it for, it didn’t say that in the info packet.
hi alice,,
yes many have quit using teh nicotine gum..you may want to try a support group as well.. good luck!!
Nicotine Anonymous is a Non-Profit 12 Step Fellowship of men and women helping each other live nicotine-free lives. Nicotine Anonymous welcomes all those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction, including those using cessation programs and nicotine withdrawal aids. The primary purpose of Nicotine Anonymous is to help all those who would like to cease using tobacco and nicotine products in any form. The Fellowship offers group support and recovery using the 12 Steps as adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous to achieve abstinence from nicotine.
check out this site for more info, as well as local meetings
http://www.nicotine-anonymous.org/
check out this site for several daily online voice meetings
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/voicesofnicotinerecovery/
Anyone have any advice about quitting smoking using the nicotine gum?
I’ve decided to quit smoking.. I’ve done it before (a few years ago) using the nicotine inhaler, but having just one cig led me to smoke again. I’m now going to attempt to quit using the nicotine gum. I’ve already bought it. Anyone have any tricks they use to keep you motivated to continue not to smoke? I know, support groups, etc, but I don’t want to do that, i want to do this on my own. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!!
I found it hard to chew like it was left over from last Halloween. Chewing it long enough to kill a nicotine urge was enough to give me a jaw ache. If I had to do it again I think I’d try the new nicotine lozenges that recently came out. Luckily for me 2 weeks in a coma cured my smoking habit.
The other part of the smoking habit is having something in your hand so find something to keep it occupied like a pencil or squeeze ball or a soothing stone in your pocket..