Quit Smoking Naturally: How Nicorette Gum Can Help You Beat the Habit

04/18/2025

 

How Does Nicorette Gum Aid In Cutting Down on Smoking?

Smoking cessation is very challenging and requires strong willpower and firm determination. The nicotine urge makes it even more difficult to quit smoking. But instead of taking chemical nicotine from tobacco products, people can opt for Nicorette Gum. Nicorette is an over-the-counter medicine with nicotine as its active ingredient. These gums have relatively less nicotine content but enough to satisfy the nicotine urge.

It helps quit smoking by reducing nicotine cravings and dealing with withdrawal symptoms. The medication is most effective when taken along with an effectively curated program for smoking cessation. You must discuss this with your doctor, who would help you design such a plan. You would benefit if you actively participate in the smoking cessation programs.

Warning and Precautions Before You Start Taking Nicorette Gum

Before you embark on your journey to quit smoking, you must keep the following in mind:

• You must carefully go through the patient leaflet and let your doctor know if you have an allergy to any of its ingredients. Also, inform your doctor of any other allergies you might have.

• Stick to the dosage as recommended by the healthcare professional.

• Inform your doctor of any heart ailments, stroke, heart attack, high blood pressure, diabetes, seizures, or any other health conditions you might be experiencing.

• Let your doctor know if you are on a low-sodium (salt) diet.

• Avoid the consumption of Nicorette if you are pregnant. In case you become pregnant while on the treatment, you must check with your doctor about its usage.

• Refrain from using other nicotine products such as patches, chewing tobacco, and smoking while on Nicorette.

How to Use the Nicotine Gum?

• The nicotine gum should be taken as recommended by your healthcare provider.

• You should use the gum when you have a strong urge to smoke.

• You must chew the gum slowly till you experience a tingling sensation in your mouth.

• Place the nicotine gum between your cheeks and gums until the tingling sensation is gone.

• You must again chew the Nicorette gum slowly till you experience the tingling and place it between your cheeks and gums.

• You should repeat this for 30 minutes and then discard the gum. You must not swallow.

• If you have a strong urge, you may take a new piece again within 60 minutes. You must stick to the dosage recommended by the doctor and should not consume more than 24 pieces in a day.

Side Effects

Nicorette's side effects are divided into common and serious ones. The common side effects do not require medical assistance and will fade once the body gets accustomed to the medication. A few of the common side effects are listed below:

• Dryness/irritation in the mouth and throat

• Stomach discomfort

• Headache, heartburn

• Dizziness

• Hiccups

• Trouble falling asleep

The serious side effects of Nicorette require immediate medical attention. Some of the symptoms of serious side effects are mentioned below:

• Increased or irregular heartbeat

• Serious allergies such as itching, hives, and swelling of the face, lips, and mouth.

• Hypertension

• Wheezing and breathing issues

Some Tips to Quit Smoking

• Plan a quit date. This is the first step in your journey to a smoke-free life. You will have to prepare yourself mentally. Choosing a special day, such as your birthday or a significant occasion, might work well.

• You should have an advance plan on how to deal with the nicotine cravings. You may carry sugar-free candies, gums, or mint and use them when you feel the urge to smoke. For some people, even drinking a glass of water might help in minimizing cravings.

• You may engage yourself in regular physical exercise. It will not only keep you distracted from your smoking urges but also release the happy hormone, “Endorphins,” that lift your mood.

•  Reach out to your friends and family for support and encouragement, and inform them in advance that you have decided to give up smoking. Their support and encouragement will keep you occupied with other stuff and will reduce your craving for smoke.

• Aim for a long-term goal and prevent the relapse by recalling the benefits that not smoking could have on your life and on your loved ones.

• Last but not least, you must stay patient and committed, and gradually, you will notice the benefits of not smoking.

Conclusion

The use of tobacco has spread like a pandemic, and among the tobacco products used across the world, smoking is the most common. For smokers, breaking the ritual of smoking can be very challenging, but alternate nicotine products such as gum, lozenges, and patches can help in smoking cessation. In addition to nicotine alternatives, seeking the help of your loved ones, engaging in physical activity, and opting for meditation and mindfulness can be beneficial in leading a smoke-free life. By choosing not to smoke, you are not only minimizing your chances of developing serious health conditions, but you are also protecting your family and others around you from deadly diseases.

FAQs

How does Nicorette Gum work to reduce nicotine cravings?

Nicorette Gum works by supplying a controlled amount of nicotine, which helps deal with the cravings, thereby reducing the nicotine craving and helping deal with the withdrawal symptoms.

Is Nicorette Gum safe to use long-term for quitting smoking?

Although Nicorette Gum is beneficial in smoking cessation, using it for a long and beyond the suggested timeframe can lead to potential risk. Nicorette Gum is generally used for 6 to 12 weeks and should not be used beyond 6 months.

How often should I use Nicorette Gum during the quitting process?

To increase your chances of leading a smoke-free life, you should plan to take one piece of Nicorette Gum every two hours in the first 6 weeks. For the next 3 weeks, you must take one piece of Nicorette Gum every four hours. In the last 3 weeks, you must take one piece of Nicorette Gum every eight hours.

Can Nicorette Gum help with withdrawal symptoms like irritability or anxiety?

Yes, Nicorette Gum is beneficial in dealing with withdrawal symptoms like irritability or anxiety by supplying nicotine in limited quantities and helps deal with cravings.

Are there any side effects of using Nicorette Gum regularly?

Yes, Nicorette Gum may cause common side effects such as headache, heartburn, dizziness, hiccups, and dryness of the mouth and throat. Serious side effects of Nicorette Gum are very rare, but few people may witness heart-related ailments and swelling of the face, neck, or lips, while some may get addicted to the gum.