Nicorette

What is it?

An alkaloid preparation available as skin patches in 3 strengths, releasing 5mg, 10mg or 15mg of nicotine every 16 hours. Usedfor: as an aid to giving up smoking to replace nicotine. Also, NICORETTE GUM, plain or flavoured chewing gum containing 2mg and 4mg of nicotine. Also, NICORETTE MICROTAB, available as a tablet for placing beneath the tongue containing 2mg of nicotine. Also, NICORETTE NASAL SPRAY, available as a metered dose, nasal delivering 0.5mg per puff. Also, NICORETTE INHA LATOR, available in a cartridges with a mouthpiece delivering 10mg of nicotine.

Dosage

Adults, patches; 1 x 15mg patch applied to skin once each day for 2 months; then 1 x 10mg patch applied once each day for 2 weeks. Finally, 1 x 5mg patch once each day for 2 weeks. Patches should be adhered to a clean, non-hairy part of skin in morning, either on body or upper arm and removed after 16 hours, usually before going to bed. Gum, chew one piece slowly, as described in instructions, for half an hour, whenever there is a desire to smoke, to a maximum of 15 pieces each day. Slowly withdraw after using gum for 3 months. Microtabs, 1 or 2 tablets should be placed beneath the tongue, when there is an urge to smoke and allowed to dissolve slowly; maximum is 40 tablets daily for a minimum period of 3 months. Then, gradually reduce daily dose to 1 to 2 tablets each day before stopping completely. Inhalator, inhale 6 to 12 cartridges each day for 2 months then reduce the dose by half over the following 2 weeks. Finally, in next 2 weeks, reduce the daily dose to zero. Nasal spray, 1 spray into each side of nose, as needed, for first 2 months to a maximum of 64 daily or 1 in each nostril every half hour. Then, over following 2 weeks, reduce the dose gradually by half and then over next 2 weeks, further reduce to zero.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, diabetes, high blood pressure, peripheral disease of blood vessels, severe kidney disorders, recent heart attack, previous angina, serious heart arrhythmias, cerebrovascular event (stroke, etc. ), overactive thyroid gland, gastritis, previous stomach ulcer, phaeochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour). Patients should be advised not to smoke at all while using the product and not to combine with other preparations containing nicotine.

Avoid Use

Children under 18 years ex cept under medical supervision.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Insulin, caffeine, adrenergic blockers and agonists, xanthines, oxazepam, paracetarnol, pentazoeine.

Known Side Effects

Gastrointestinal upset, hiccups, local irritation, over-production of saliva, palpitations, headaches, atrial fibrillation (heart flutter), dizziness, allergic reactions, dependence.