FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Nicorette®?
  2. How does Nicorette work?
  3. Does Nicorette come with a support program to help me quit?
  4. How long after my last cigarette should I wait before I begin my quit attempt using Nicorette?
  5. Can I smoke while using Nicorette?
  6. Will Nicorette gum stick to dentures or dental work?
  7. Why can't I eat or drink for 15 minutes before using Nicorette?
  8. Can I use Nicorette to help quit chewing tobacco, smoking cigars or using a pipe?
  9. Can I use Nicorette if I'm pregnant or nursing?
  10. How long will the nicotine stay in my blood or urine?
  11. How should I use Nicorette if I smoke low-tar or low-nicotine cigarettes?
  12. Does Nicorette come in different flavors?
  13. What is the nutritional content of Nicorette gum?
  14. Is Nicorette sugar free?
  15. Does Nicorette contain gluten, animal derivatives, latex or dairy products?
  16. How long is Nicorette used?
  17. What strength is right for me?
  18. Should I ever change to a different strength of Nicorette?
  19. What if my child or my pet eats a piece of Nicorette?
  20. How is Nicorette different from NicoDerm® CQ®?
  21. How is Nicorette® gum different from Nicorette® Lozenge?
  22. Can I use Nicorette if I take other medications?
  23. Can I drink alcohol if I am using Nicorette?
  24. Should I use expired Nicorette?
  25. Is Nicorette more expensive than smoking?
  26. How will I feel when I stop smoking and start using Nicorette?
  27. Will I gain weight if I quit smoking?
  28. I've tried to quit smoking several times, but it's never worked. Why can't I quit?
  29. If nicotine is the problem, why should I use nicotine replacement therapy?

  1. What is Nicorette?

    Nicorette is a family of stop smoking products. They help reduce nicotine cravings that make quitting smoking so hard. Back to top

  2. How does Nicorette work?

    Nicorette stop smoking products are a form of Therapeutic Nicotine. This means they replace some of the nicotine your body and brain are used to getting, while gradually reducing the level of nicotine until you no longer need it. The level of nicotine uptake is lower and slower than cigarettes, and allows your body to gradually adjust to having less nicotine until you don't need any. When Nicorette is taken, nicotine is released and absorbed through the lining of the mouth. You may adjust the amount of nicotine you receive by changing how much time you wait before taking more Nicorette. Nicorette reduces withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking and allows you to take control of your nicotine cravings. It also provides some oral gratification and is an alternative that helps replace part of the rituals of smoking. Back to top

  3. Does Nicorette come with a support program to help me quit?

    Yes, it's called Nicorette Committed Quitters®. Nicorette Committed Quitters is a free, individualized stop-smoking plan that helps break the psychological addiction to smoking by offering customized advice on how to cope with situations that may tempt the quitter to smoke. Studies show that personally tailored psychological support increases the chances of successfully changing behavior. Information on joining can be found inside each box of Nicorette or online at CommittedQuitters.Nicorette.com. Back to top

  4. How long after my last cigarette should I wait before I begin my quit attempt using Nicorette stop smoking products?

    We recommend choosing a start date for your quit attempt and beginning the use of Nicorette first thing that day, before having any cigarettes. However, if you choose to wait and start your quit attempt later in the day, you must wait 30 minutes or longer after smoking your last cigarette before using Nicorette. Back to top

  5. Can I smoke while using Nicorette stop smoking products?

    No. The whole reason to use Nicorette is to quit smoking. If you slip and start smoking again, a lapse of one or two or even a few cigarettes need not spoil your efforts. Throw away your cigarettes, forgive yourself and continue with the program. Don't consider yourself a failure or punish yourself. In fact, people who have already tried to quit are more likely to be successful the next time. Back to top

  6. Will Nicorette gum stick to dentures or dental work?

    Nicorette gum is sugar-free and made in such a way to reduce stickiness. However, it may stick to dentures, dental caps or partial bridges, so you may want to consult your dentist or switch to using the Nicorette Lozenge or mini Lozenge instead. Back to top

  7. Why can't I eat or drink for 15 minutes before using Nicorette stop smoking products?

    Eating or drinking even mildly acidic foods and beverages directly before using or during use of Nicorette inhibits nicotine absorption into your bloodstream. A basic alkaline pH is required for the nicotine in Nicorette to be properly released from the gum and absorbed through the lining of your mouth. We recommend waiting 15 minutes after eating or drinking before using Nicorette. Back to top

  8. Can I use Nicorette stop smoking products to help quit chewing tobacco, smoking cigars or using a pipe?

    No, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Nicorette only as Therapeutic Nicotine for cigarette smoking. Talk with your doctor to find a product that is right for your circumstance. Back to top

  9. Can I use Nicorette stop smoking products if I'm pregnant or nursing?

    If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, only use this medicine on the advice of your health care provider. Smoking can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using any nicotine replacement medicine. This medicine is believed to be safer than smoking. However, the risks to your child from this medicine are not fully known. Back to top

  10. How long will the nicotine stay in my blood or urine?

    Trace amounts of nicotine can be detected in blood and urine for several hours, but it should be gone by 48 hours. However, if you are being tested for nicotine, there is a metabolite of nicotine, called cotinine, which can be detected in blood or urine for as long as 7 to 10 days after your last exposure to nicotine. Back to top

  11. How should I use Nicorette stop smoking products if I smoke low-tar or low-nicotine cigarettes?

    Regardless of the type of cigarette you smoke, you should use Nicorette according to label instructions. If you smoke 25 or more cigarettes per day, you should use 4mg Nicorette. If you smoke fewer than 25 cigarettes per day, use 2mg Nicorette. Click here to find more about which strength is right for you. Back to top

  12. Do Nicorette stop smoking products come in different flavors?

    Yes, Nicorette comes in a variety of forms and flavors. Nicorette is not a confectionary flavored chewing gum or a candy. It is a serious medicine that has been developed with palatable flavors. Back to top

  13. What is the nutritional content of Nicorette gum?

    There is less than 3 calories and 1 gram of carbohydrates in each piece of Nicorette gum. Back to top

  14. Are Nicorette products sugar free?

    Yes. All of our Nicorette products use artificial sweeteners and are considered sugar-free. Original Nicorette gum is sweetened with sorbitol, a natural sweetener produced commercially from corn.

    Nicorette White IceTM Mint, Cinnamon SurgeTM, Fruit ChillTM, FreshMintTM, and Mint are sweetened with Xylitol, a natural sweetener produced commercially from plants. Nicorette White IceTM Mint, Cinnamon Surge, Fruit Chill, FreshMint and Mint also contain acesulfame potassium as a sweetener. Back to top

  15. Does Nicorette contain gluten, animal derivatives, latex or dairy products?

    No, Nicorette products do not contain any of these. Back to top

  16. How long are Nicorette stop smoking products used?

    The recommended course of therapy is 12 weeks. You should use Nicorette for the full 12 weeks to improve your chances of success. Do not use Nicorette longer than 12 weeks. Back to top

  17. What strength is right for me?

    If you smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day, use the 4mg strength.

    If you smoke fewer than 25 cigarettes a day, use the 2mg strength. Back to top

  18. Should I ever change to a different strength of Nicorette?

    No, the strength of Nicorette that you use to start on the program is the strength you should use throughout the program. Back to top

  19. What if my child or my pet eats a piece of Nicorette?

    Make every effort to keep Nicorette gum out of reach of children and pets. In case of an accidental ingestion, get professional assistance or contact a poison control center immediately. Back to top

  20. How are Nicorette stop smoking products different from NicoDerm® CQ®?

    Nicorette is nicotine replacement therapy that releases nicotine into your body through the lining of your mouth while providing oral gratification. NicoDerm CQ is a patch that releases a steady flow of nicotine into your body through your skin. Only Nicorette gum lets you take an extra piece to overcome strong or sudden cravings. Back to top

  21. How is Nicorette® gum different from Nicorette® lozenge?

    Like Nicorette® gum, the Nicorette® Lozenge helps reduce withdrawal symptoms by providing a temporary alternative source of nicotine, without exposing the quitter to the harmful tars and carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke. Those who use Nicorette® gum employ a specific technique (i.e., "chew, chew, park") in order to use the product properly. The Nicorette® Lozenge is meant to be put in your mouth and moved side to side until it dissolves. Both the Nicorette® gum and the Nicorette® Lozenge are clinically proven to significantly reduce both cravings and withdrawal symptoms including irritability and anxiety. Back to top

  22. Can I use Nicorette stop smoking products if I take other medications?

    Any questions about drug interactions between medications should be answered by your physician or other healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor if you take other medications. Nicorette releases nicotine, which is already in your system if you are a smoker. However, withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting smoking and the absence of smoke in your lungs may affect how your body handles medications. Talk to your doctor about this, especially if you take prescription drugs for asthma or depression. Back to top

  23. Can I drink alcohol if I am using Nicorette stop smoking products?

    You can safely drink in moderation. However, you should not eat or drink anything for 15 minutes before using Nicorette. Eating or drinking 15 minutes before using Nicorette may limit the absorption of Nicorette through the membrane of your mouth. To reduce the risk of a smoking relapse, you may want to avoid drinking alcohol if you associate it with smoking. Back to top

  24. Should I use expired Nicorette stop smoking products?

    No, we cannot suggest that you use expired product since it may not be effective for you. We do not test expired product; therefore, we do not know what type of changes may have occurred in the product. We would suggest that you discard the expired Nicorette. Back to top

  25. Is Nicorette more expensive than smoking?

    No. The total cost of Nicorette over a 12-week program is about the cost of a pack and a half a day smoking habit. But when you think of the long-term costs of smoking, not to mention the health problems of smoking, Nicorette is a short-term cost. To see how much you will save by not smoking, please view our savings calculator. Back to top

  26. How will I feel when I stop smoking and start using Nicorette stop smoking products?

    Quitting smoking isn't easy. But you'll feel a lot better than you would if you quit "cold turkey." That's because Nicorette really helps reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms, which include things like cravings, mood changes, headaches, constipation, sleeplessness and drowsiness. Back to top

  27. Will I gain weight if I quit smoking?

    When it comes to quitting smoking, weight gain is the #1 concern of women and the #2 concern of men. Even if you do gain a bit, it's nothing compared to all the good things you're doing for yourself. If you continue to gain weight after a few months, try to analyze what you're doing differently. Reduce your fat intake, choose healthy snacks, and increase your physical activity to burn off the extra calories. Drink lots of water. This is good for your body and skin, and also helps to reduce the amount you eat. Back to top

  28. I've tried to quit smoking several times, but it's never worked. Why can't I quit?

    You can. You just haven't succeeded yet. Quitting smoking is a process. Not a one-time event. In fact, most people try several times before they finally reap the benefits of quitting for good. Besides, even if you've made it a day, a week, or a month - you've made it. Try to learn from your mistake. Figure out why you fell off the wagon so you can avoid putting yourself in similar situations in the future, choose a new quit date, and then try again. This time, you may be able to quit for good! Back to top

  29. If nicotine is the problem, why should I use a nicotine replacement therapy?

    Nicorette doesn't contain any of the carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) that are found in cigarettes. This is why Nicorette is safe enough to be sold without a doctor's prescription, and why it's proven in helping millions of smokers quit safely. Nicorette stop smoking products give you a reduced amount of nicotine to help calm your cravings and irritability so you can focus on the emotional aspects of your habit.

    While you will want to reduce and eventually stop your use of Nicorette, you should definitely follow the recommendation on the label and use it as directed. You may experience craving and withdrawal if you don't use enough Nicorette. Back to top