ARTICLE SECTIONS

back to top

US Brand Names

back to top

Canadian Brand Names

back to top

Description

Nicotine , in an inhaler, is used to help you stop smoking. It is used for up to 6 months as part of a stop-smoking program. This program may include counseling, education, specific behavior change techniques, or support groups.

With the inhaler, nicotine is inhaled through the mouth and is absorbed in the mouth and throat, but not in the lungs. Eight to ten puffs on the inhaler provide about the same amount of nicotine as one puff on an average cigarette. This nicotine takes the place of the nicotine that you would otherwise get from smoking. In this way, the withdrawal effects of not smoking are less severe. Then, as your body adjusts to not smoking, the use of the nicotine inhaler is decreased gradually over several weeks. Finally, use is stopped altogether.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Aerosol Liquid
• Aerosol Powder
• Device

back to top

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Small amounts of nicotine can cause poisoning in children. Even used nicotine inhaler cartridges contain enough nicotine to cause serious harm in children. Also, the cartridges are small enough that they can cause choking if they are swallowed.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of patients 60 years of age or older and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.

Drug Interactions

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Asthma or other breathing problems or
• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• High blood pressure or
• Liver disease or
• Overactive thyroid or
• Pheochromocytoma or
• Stomach ulcer or
• Type 1 diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)—Nicotine may make the condition worse

back to top

Proper Use

The nicotine inhaler usually comes with patient directions. Read the directions carefully before using this medicine.

The nicotine inhaler should be used at or above room temperature (60 °F [16 °C]). Cold temperatures decrease the amount of nicotine you inhale.

It is important to participate in a stop-smoking program during treatment. This may make it easier for you to stop smoking.

To decrease the risk of becoming dependent on the nicotine inhaler, your doctor may instruct you to stop treatment gradually. This may be done by keeping track of, and steadily reducing, use of the nicotine inhaler or by setting a planned date for stopping use of the inhaler.

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.

• For cartridge for inhalation dosage form:
  • To help you stop smoking:
    • Adults and older teenagers—At first, the dose is 6 to 16 cartridges per day for up to twelve weeks. Then the dose is gradually reduced over a period of up to twelve weeks.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

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.

back to top

Precautions

Do not smoke during treatment with the nicotine inhaler because of the risk of nicotine overdose.

Do not use the nicotine inhaler for longer than 6 months if you have stopped smoking because continuing use of nicotine in any form can be harmful and addictive.

Nicotine should not be used in pregnancy. If there is a possibility you might become pregnant, you may want to use some type of birth control. If you think you may have become pregnant, stop taking this medicine immediately and check with your doctor.

Nicotine products must be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Even used nicotine inhaler cartridges contain enough nicotine to cause serious harm in children. If a child chews on or swallows a cartridge, contact your doctor or poison control center at once.

back to top

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Fast or irregular heartbeat
• Fever with or without chills
• Headache
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Runny nose
• Shortness of breath, tightness in chest, trouble in breathing, or wheezing
• Skin rash, itching, or hives
• Tearing of eyes

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• Cold sweat
• Confusion
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Disturbed hearing and vision
• Drooling
• Extreme exhaustion
• Pale skin
• Slow heartbeat
• Tremors

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Coughing
• Indigestion
• Mouth and throat irritation
• Stuffy nose

• Anxiety
• Back pain
• Change in taste
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Feeling of burning, numbness, tightness, tingling, warmth or heat
• Feelings of drug dependence
• Flu-like symptoms
• General pain
• Hiccups
• Mental depression
• Pain in jaw and neck
• Pain in muscles
• Passing of gas
• Problems with teeth
• Trouble in sleeping
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

START A NEW SEARCH

ARTICLE TOOLS