Nicotine gum
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Nicotine gum is a type of chewing gum that delivers nicotine to the body. It is used as an aid in smoking cessation and in quitting smokeless tobacco. The nicotine is delivered to the bloodstream via absorption by the tissues of the mouth.
It is currently available over-the-counter in Europe, the US and elsewhere. The pieces are usually available in individual foil packages and come in various flavors including orange, and mint. Each piece typically contains 2 or 4 mg of nicotine, roughly the nicotine content of 1 or 2 cigarettes, with the appropriate dosage depending on the smoking habits of the user. Popular brands include Nicoderm/Nicorette and Nicotinell.
Alternative nicotine replacement products include the nicotine patch, nicotine pastilles/lozenges and the nicotine inhaler.
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[edit] Usage
The gum is first chewed until it is soft and a tingly sensation and/or peppery taste is noticed, after which it is pressed between the cheek and gums, known as "parking". When the tingly sensation stops, the gum is chewed again, and then pinched between the cheek and gums in a different place in the mouth. This is continued until the gum is depleted of nicotine (about 30 minutes).
[edit] Availability
Various policies exist worldwide as to the accessibility of these medications. Originally (in the early 1990s) they were sold only by prescription.
In the EU and the USA, they are currently available at pharmacies over-the-counter subject to the same restrictions on underage purchases as tobacco. Usually the purchaser is directed to the pharmacist but in other cases the display of the nicotine therapy products is adjacent to the cigarette display. In some locations, nicotine gum can be simply purchased off-the-shelf. At locations such as large retailers, where self-checkout lines exist, the product can be purchased without human contact, thus granting the possibility of abuse by children or recreational users.
In Hong Kong, the large chain pharmacist shops usually, but not always, require the purchaser of the stronger therapy (4 mg dose) to sign a register with passport number or Hong Kong ID.
[edit] Criticism
As nicotine is an addictive element in cigarettes, a potential for addiction to nicotine gum exists. Although studies performed by drug companies indicate that changing to nicotine gum leads people to quit both the gum and smoking, for many the use of the nicotine replacement gum becomes chronic as well.[citation needed] Despite being much safer than smoking, years of nicotine gum use will nevertheless still cost the addicted user many thousands of dollars. The per-dose cost in the EU, USA and Hong Kong is about 40 (US) cents. This means that the price of nicotine gum often exceeds that of the cigarettes it is designed to replace.
Nicotine gum may also drive the user to "dip" tobacco because it replaces the activity of "lighting up" with a reinforced oral self-dosage, and when the nicotine gum user runs out of the gum, they may turn to hazardous forms of "dip" or chewing tobacco.[citation needed]
Gum chewing is also considered uncultured in many countries; this problem can be addressed by using pastille, although the pastille is not always as available.
[edit] Side effects
Two unpleasant symptoms noticed by new users and by existing users who make excessive use of nicotine gum are hiccups[1] and a perceived constriction of the throat muscles, as accidental swallowing of saliva containing high amounts of nicotine may cause irritation. Another potential side effect of prolonged nicotine gum use is gum disease. Nicotine constricts blood vessels, including those of the gums, which has led to speculation that long-term use of nicotine gum may contribute to risk for gum disease. However, one clinical study has found no connection between 15 weeks of nicotine gum use and oral health[2].
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Einarson TR, Einarson A., "Hiccups following nicotine gum use", Ann Pharmacother., 1997 Oct;31(10):1263-4. PMID: 9337460
- ^ Christen AG et al. Effects of nicotine-containing chewing gum on oral soft and hard tissues: A clinical study. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1985 Jan;59(1):37-42. PMID: 3919352
