Nicorette gum
Nicorette is a popular nicotine-containing gum marketed to help people quit smoking. Chewing the gum releases nicotine to help reduce cravings for the drug, which is usually delivered by the smoke from a cigarette.
An Food and Drug Administration-approved smoking cessation aid, Nicorette can be very effective in helping a person kick the habit of smoking. However, the directions for Nicorette gum's use should be carefully understood and followed to ensure success in quitting smoking, as well as to avoid some nasty side effects.
Proper Dosing
The first step in using Nicorette gum is to calculate how much you smoke. The gum is available in 2mg (milligram) and 4mg per piece, and should be purchased carefully, depending on the amount of tobacco consumed.
Nicorette's product website has a helpful calculator for this purpose. If you are looking to quit smoking and currently smoke up to 25 cigarettes per day, the 2mg gum is where you'll start. If you smoke more than 25 cigarettes daily, then Nicorette's information suggests you start with the 4mg gum.
Beginning Nicorette
According to the product website, Nicorette should be used and gradually reduced over time. When beginning to use Nicorette gum at either the 4mg or 2mg dosage, chew one piece every 1 to 2 hours for the first six weeks of use. From weeks seven to nine, the dose should be tapered down to one piece every 2 to 4 hours, and during the two weeks of this 12-week program, the dose is reduced to one piece every 4 to 8 hours.
Nicorette also recommends following a program which it offers, called Committed Quitters, which is a more individualized plan to quit smoking with the gum.
Proper Usage
When using Nicorette, you should slowly chew the gum for a period of up to about 15 chews, after which a slight tingling or peppery flavor should be detectable. At this point, you should keep the gum parked between your cheek and gums. This is a key point of instruction, since the longer or faster you chew, the more nicotine is released at once. Too much nicotine released can cause throat irritation or nausea, so it is important to chew the gum slowly. It is recommended to chew again once the tingling sensation is gone. The nicotine in one piece of Nicorette gum should be used up within half an hour, and the gum should be discarded, never reused.
Committing to using Nicorette is a big step toward quitting smoking, and will last through 12 weeks of your life. Take advantage of the variety of flavors the product offers, which include fruit and several types of mint, in addition to the regular, unflavored product.
Nicorette recommends that if you are still experiencing nicotine cravings after 12 weeks, it is best to consult with your doctor before using it further.
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