Nicotine Gums: Strengths And Dosage
To consume these nicotine gums, you must chew gently and slowly 5 to 10 times until you notice a bitter or irritating taste characteristic of nicotine.
Nicotine gum is a potent drug that is very effective in helping to quit smoking.
There are different concentrations: 2 or 4 mg of nicotine. This is released during the first 30 seconds, depending on the intensity of chewing.
Nicotine gums are indicated when the person feels a strong desire to smoke. This nicotine is absorbed more slowly through the lining of the mouth than nicotine from cigarettes.
Thus, the amount of nicotine in the blood will never be as high as when you smoke a cigarette. However, you also won’t have the same feeling while smoking.
Nicotine replacement therapy to treat smoking
Nicotine is the main substance in tobacco. It causes physical dependence on tobacco. Addiction can lead to unpleasant abstinence symptoms when a person tries to quit smoking.
Furthermore, replacement therapy of nicotine provides the same substance in the form of chewing gum, of sprays , inhaler or nicotine lozenges. All of these alternatives do not contain the other harmful chemicals of tobacco.
Additionally, smoking replacement therapy may help relieve some physical symptoms of abstinence. Thus, the consumer can focus on the psychological aspects of withdrawal.
The use of nicotine gum, like other replacement therapies, has been shown to double the chances of success in quitting smoking.
How to use nicotine gums?
To consume these drugs, you must chew gently and slowly between 5 to 10 times, until you notice a bitter or irritating taste specific to nicotine. Many people also describe it as a slight tingling in the mouth.
At this point, stop chewing and place the gum between the gums and the inner part of the cheek. In this way, the nicotine is slowly absorbed through the mucous membrane. Once the taste disappears, the gum should be chewed again and placed in another part of the mouth.
The duration of the eraser is approximately 30 minutes. This operation must therefore be repeated for the duration of the effect.
It is not advisable to consume another gum within an hour of the first chewing. This is because it increases the likelihood of experiencing an adverse reaction. Although it is chewing gum, it can also cause unwanted side effects because it contains an active ingredient.
On the other hand, it is not recommended to use more than 24 gums of 2mg or more than 15 gums of 4mg per day. If these amounts are exceeded, there is a risk of overdose.
Hence, it is best to perform this process in total 3 times per day consuming between 3 to 8 gums. And taking into account that a cigarette is equivalent to 1mg of nicotine.
Other instructions…
- Do not chew the gum too quickly or swallow your saliva after chewing: this could lead to discomfort in the mouth and throat as well as stomach pain and digestive problems. Also, if you swallow saliva, the nicotine will have no effect. It will not be absorbed in the mouth and will become inactive in the stomach
- Do not eat or drink (coffee, soda or juice) 15 minutes before or after use. Indeed, these products can decrease the absorption of nicotine. However, water is allowed
Tips for nicotine gums
In addition to the instructions explained above, we would like to offer you a series of tips around the consumption of nicotine gum.
First of all, we recommend that you use this medicine in anticipation of a situation where you know you will want to smoke. And, in general, whenever you feel like having a cigarette.
Then always keep these erasers handy. So you can chew one in case of urgent need to smoke a cigarette. Just by smoking a cigarette, the odds of resuming smoking increase dramatically.
Finally, if any of the following symptoms develop, tell your doctor or pharmacist:
- Irritation in the mouth and gums
- Pain in the jaw and throat
- Increased salivation
Conclusion
Quitting smoking is possible. Keep your goal in mind and use certain nicotine replacement therapies, such as gums. It will help you to have more willpower and to be more consistent.