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How does it work?Nicotinell lozenges contain nicotine. They are a type of medicine known as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and are used to help smokers give up the habit.
Nicotine is the addictive substance present in tobacco. Smokers who try to give up often experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes, because they are dependent on the nicotine in tobacco. Withdrawal symptoms can include irritability, headaches, restlessness, insomnia and difficulty concentrating. These, combined with cigarette cravings, are why it is difficult for some people to give up smoking.
Nicotine replacement therapies work by giving you a small amount of nicotine, but without the dangerous effects of inhaling tobacco smoke. This helps relieve the withdrawal symptoms and cravings for a cigarette that you get when you stop smoking, and allows you to get on with breaking the psychological habit of smoking. If you are physically addicted to nicotine, using NRT has been shown to almost double your chances of successfully quitting smoking.
The nicotine released from sucking Nicotinell lozenges is absorbed into the bloodstream from the lining of your mouth. For this to work, you don't suck the lozenges like normal lozenges. Instead, you suck the lozenge until the taste becomes strong, and then lodge it between your gum and cheek. When the taste fades you repeat the process until the lozenge is dissolved.
Nicotinell lozenges can be used to reduce your cravings for a cigarette after you have stopped smoking completely. They are available in two strengths, 1mg and 2mg. The 2mg lozenges provide a larger dose of nicotine for people who are more dependent on nicotine, ie people who smoke more than 30 cigarettes a day, or who have previously failed to stop smoking with the help of the 1mg lozenges.
The number of lozenges you use each day will depend on how much you used to smoke and what strength your cigarettes were. You should not use more than is recommended on the packet.
It is recommended that you initially use one lozenge every one to two hours, for up to three months after stopping smoking. After this time your psychological urge to smoke should be less. You should then be able to gradually reduce the number of lozenges you are using, so that you are using less and less nicotine. (It is rare to become dependent on the lozenges. If this happens it is much less dangerous than being dependent on cigarettes and is a much easier habit to break than smoking.) You should stop using the lozenges when your daily consumption is down to one or two a day. If you use 2mg lozenges, the 1mg lozenges will be useful when you taper down use.
NRT comes in many forms. There are factsheets on all these linked at the end of this page.
Nicotine patches can be used to help prevent cravings for cigarettes, while nasal sprays, inhalators, chewing gum, tablets that dissolve under the tongue, and lozenges, are all forms that can be used instead of smoking when you get a cigarette craving.
As well as breaking the physical addiction, you also need to break the smoking habits you used to have. Try to avoid situations where you will be tempted to smoke, and remember to seek help and support whenever you feel like giving in to your cravings.
What is it used for?
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- Relief of withdrawal symptoms associated with giving up smoking
Warning!
- Nicotinell lozenges should be sucked in the special way explained in the instructions in the package leaflet. Don't chew the lozenges or swallow them whole, as this is more likely to cause side effects such as throat and stomach irritation, indigestion or hiccups.
- Acidic drinks such as coffee, sodas and fruit juices can reduce the amount of nicotine that is absorbed from the mouth, if you drink them in the 15 minutes prior to sucking a Nicotinell lozenge.
- Do not exceed the recommended dose of this medicine, which will be stated in the product packaging or information leaflet supplied with the medicine.
- Make sure you do not leave Nicotinell lozenges where children can reach them. Doses of nicotine that are tolerated by adult smokers during treatment can produce severe symptoms of poisoning in small children and may prove fatal.
Use with caution in
- Adolescents aged 12 to 18 years old (If you are in this age group you should not use NRT for longer than 12 weeks without consulting a doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice)
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Disease involving the heart and blood vessels (Using NRT is much less hazardous than continuing to smoke. However, if you are in hospital because you have recently had a heart attack or stroke or you have severe irregular heart beats, you should ideally try to stop smoking without using NRT. Seek advice from your doctor.)
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Diabetes (monitor your blood sugar more closely when starting NRT)
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Peptic ulcer
- Inflamed stomach lining (gastritis)
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Inflammation of the food pipe
- Inflammation of the mouth and throat
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Hyperthyroidism
- Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)
- Severely decreased kidney function
- Moderate to severely decreased liver function
- An inherited disorder of protein metabolism called phenylketonuria (Nicotinell lozenges contain aspartame, which is a source of phenylalanine)
Not to be used in
- Non-smokers
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
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