Do not use Nicorette Gum if you are allergic to nicotine or any of its ingredients.
Consult Your Doctor, Nurse or Pharmacist If:
- You are pregnant or breast-feeding: Try to stop smoking without NRT first. If unsuccessful, NRT can be used as the risks to your baby are significantly less than continuing to smoke. Discuss with a healthcare professional. Intermittent products may be preferred over patches.
- You are in hospital due to heart disease (e.g., heart attack, abnormal heart rhythm, stroke). For other heart conditions not requiring hospitalisation, NRT is safer than smoking.
- You have a stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, inflammation of the stomach, or inflammation of the oesophagus.
- You have liver or kidney disease.
- You have an overactive thyroid gland or a phaeochromocytoma (a rare adrenal gland tumour affecting blood pressure).
- You have diabetes: Monitor blood sugar levels more frequently when starting Nicorette Gum, as your insulin or medication requirements may change.
- You are taking other medicines such as theophylline, clozapine, or ropinirole. Stopping or reducing smoking may require dose adjustments of these medicines.
Important Information About Ingredients:
- The chewing gum base contains butylated hydroxy toluene (E321), an antioxidant. This may cause local skin reactions (e.g., contact dermatitis) or irritation to the eyes and mucous membranes.
- Nicorette Gum contains sorbitol. If you have been advised by your doctor about an intolerance to some sugars, consult them before use.
- The gum contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per piece, essentially 'sodium-free'.
If You Use More Than the Recommended Dosage:
You may experience nausea, salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, sweating, headache, dizziness, hearing disturbance, or weakness. If you experience any of these effects, contact a doctor or your nearest hospital Accident and Emergency department immediately. Bring the leaflet and pack with you. Do not smoke or vape.
If a Child Under 12 Uses This Medicine:
Contact a doctor or your nearest hospital Accident and Emergency department immediately. Nicotine ingestion by a child can lead to severe poisoning.
Possible Side Effects:
Many side effects are due to nicotine itself and can occur with smoking. You may also experience effects from nicotine withdrawal by stopping smoking or if you under-use the gum.
Effects Related to Stopping Smoking (Nicotine Withdrawal):
- Irritability or aggression
- Feeling low
- Anxiety
- Restlessness
- Poor concentration
- Increased appetite or weight gain
- Urges to smoke (craving)
- Night-time awakening or sleep disturbance
- Lowering of heart rate
Effects of Too Much Nicotine:
- Feeling faint
- Nausea
- Headache
- Hiccupping (due to excessive swallowing of nicotine)
Side Effects of Nicorette Gum:
Nicorette Gum can cause a slight throat irritation at the start of treatment and increased salivation. It may occasionally stick to or damage dentures. Individuals suffering from indigestion or heartburn may benefit from slower chewing of the 2mg gum.
- Very Common (more than 1 in 10 people): headache, sore mouth or throat, jaw-muscle ache, stomach discomfort, nausea, hiccups.
- Common (less than 1 in 10 people): dizziness, vomiting, allergic reactions (hypersensitivity), cough, taste disturbance or loss of taste, tingling or numbness of hands and feet, diarrhoea, dry mouth, excessive gas or wind, sore and inflamed mouth, indigestion, burning sensation in mouth, tiredness.
- Uncommon (less than 1 in 100 people): hives (urticaria), redness or itching of the skin, chest palpitations, abnormal dreams, sudden reddening of face/neck, high blood pressure, sudden constriction of airways (wheezing, shortness of breath), loss or damage to voice, blocked nose, sneezing, throat tightness, burping (belching), swollen/red/sore tongue, mouth ulcers or blisters, numbness/tingling of mouth, excessive sweating, itching, rash, unusual weakness, jaw-muscle ache, chest discomfort/pain, general feeling of discomfort/malaise.
- Rare (less than 1 in 1,000 people): difficulty in swallowing, decreased feeling or sensitivity (especially in mouth), retching.
- Very Rare (less than 1 in 10,000 people): abnormal heart beating.
When you stop smoking, you may also develop mouth ulcers; the reason for this is unknown.
If you notice any side effects not listed, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. You can also report side effects via the Yellow Card Scheme at www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard to help provide more safety information.
Storage and Disposal:
- Keep Nicorette Gum out of sight and reach of children and animals. High doses of nicotine are dangerous and potentially fatal for small children.
- Do not store above 25°C.
- Do not use after the 'Use before' date on the box.
- Dispose of Nicorette Gum responsibly and away from children and animals. Do not dispose of via wastewater or household waste; ask your pharmacist for disposal advice to protect the environment.
