treatment type: drug availability: over the counter (for 18 and over) treatment duration: 4-12 weeks dose: 2mg or 4mg pieces, 10 pieces/day cost per day: $6.00-7.00 for comparison, calculate how much you currently spend on tobacco products per day
Information about Nicotine Replacement Therapy on this website is based on data on adults only. The safety and efficacy of NRT for teens has not been sufficiently evaluated in order for the FDA to approve it for use for those under 18. However, clinical practice guidelines by the U.S. Public Health Service advise that physicians can consider prescribing NRT to those under 18 'when there is evidence of nicotine dependence and a desire to quit tobacco use.'(6) Before receiving a prescription for NRT, a teenager must be carefully evaluated by a doctor in order to determine whether they may benefit from using NRT, and whether the potential benefits of using it outweigh the potential risks.
Regardless of your age, it is always wise to consult a health care provider before beginning a smoking cessation program.
the bottom line
Nicotine gum has some advantages over other Nicotine Replacement Therapy products: it provides faster nicotine delivery than some of the other NRT products, more effectively satisfies cravings induced by certain situations, is relatively discreet, and is readily available. Some disadvantages are unpleasant taste, the need to use multiple pieces per day, and potential side effects such as jaw ache, mouth soreness, nausea, and stomachache.
definition
Nicotine polacrilex (nicotine gum) is designed to deliver nicotine orally. The gum was approved by the FDA in 1984 and made available exclusively over the counter in 1995. Generic brands are available. It comes in doses of 2 milligrams (mg) (recommended for those who smoke fewer than 25 cigarettes per day) and 4 mg (for those who smoke 25 or more cigarettes per day).(6,26)
. The typical daily dose is 10 pieces for a maximum daily nicotine dose of 60 mg, and the recommended duration is for 1 to 3 months, although this can vary.(27) The average cost of the gum is $6.00-7.00 per day (depending on the dose), or approximately $40.00-50.00 for one week's supply.
explanation
The gum is not meant to be chewed in the way that ordinary gum is chewed. Instead, it is inserted in the mouth, chewed a few times until a peppery or minty flavor is sensed and nicotine released, and then placed between the gum and cheek. This action should be performed intermittently for 30 minutes or until the taste subsides. This is called "park and chew."
If a user fails to "park" the gum, the nicotine will be released into the saliva and swallowed; this may cause nausea. Parking allows nicotine to be absorbed through the lining of the mouth into the circulation. The nicotine takes several minutes to reach the brain and thus results in a less intense "hit" than that produced by smoking. (Smoking delivers nicotine via the lungs to blood that travels to the brain.)
Approximately 50% of the nicotine in the gum will be released and absorbed. Food and beverages can interfere with the efficacy of the gum, so users should not eat or drink anything except water for 15 minutes before, during, or after chewing. Users should chew an adequate amount of gum on a fixed schedule in order to achieve the maximum benefit. Many users do not chew enough pieces per day or do not do so for a sufficient number of weeks.
Studies show that the gum can improve long-term abstinence rates by 30 to 80% compared to placebo, and the 4 mg dose is more effective than the 2 mg dose in highly dependent smokers.(6)
