Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Use this medicine exactly as directed in the dosing section on the label. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This medicine comes with a patient instruction booklet. Read and follow these instructions carefully.

It is also important to use a stop-smoking program that may include education, counseling, and psychological support. This may make it easier for you to stop smoking.

Begin using this medicine on your "quit" day, even if you are not able to stop smoking immediately.

Chewing gum:

  • If you have the urge to smoke, slowly chew one piece of gum until you notice a peppery taste or feel a slight tingling in your mouth.
  • Stop chewing and place (“park”) the gum between your cheek and gum. When the taste or tingling is almost gone, slowly chew the gum again until you taste it.
  • Continue chewing and “parking” the gum for about 30 minutes to get the full dose.
  • Do not chew too fast or chew more than one piece at a time.
  • Do not drink acidic beverages, such as citrus fruit juices, coffee, soft drinks, or tea within 15 minutes before or while chewing a piece of gum.
  • As your urge to smoke becomes less frequent, gradually reduce the pieces of gum used. Follow the dosing instructions on the label.

Lozenges:

  • Do not eat or drink for 15 minutes before using a lozenge.
  • If you have the urge to smoke, slowly suck one lozenge until it dissolves.
  • Do not bite or chew the lozenge like hard candy. Do not swallow the lozenge. Try not to swallow most of the dissolved medicine.
  • Do not use more than one lozenge at a time or many lozenges one after another.
  • As your urge to smoke becomes less frequent, gradually reduce the number of lozenges used. Follow the dosing instructions on the label.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • To help you stop smoking:
    • For oral dosage form (gum):
      • Adults and teenagers 18 years or older—The dose will be provided on the label and is based on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. Do not chew more than one piece (2 milligrams (mg) or 4 mg) at a time. Do not use more than 24 pieces of gum per day. The amount of nicotine is decreased over time when you use fewer pieces. If you need to use the gum for a longer period of time than recommended on the label, talk to your doctor.
      • Children—Use is not recommended.
    • For oral dosage form (lozenge):
      • Adults and teenagers 18 years or older—The dose will be provided on the label and is based on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. Do not use more than one lozenge (2 milligrams (mg) or 4 mg) at a time. Do not use more than 5 lozenges in 6 hours or more than 20 lozenges per day. The amount of nicotine is decreased over time when you use fewer pieces. If you need to use the lozenges for a longer period of time than recommended on the label, talk to your doctor.
      • Children—Use is not recommended.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Wrap used pieces of gum in paper and throw them away in the trash. If you remove a lozenge before it dissolves, wrap it in paper and throw it away in the trash. Make sure the gum or lozenge is out of the reach of children and pets.