Hi - my name is Simon and I run a website called Stop Smoking Shop.co.uk. We stock everything you need to quit and feel better again.
Today I am going to explain how to use nicotine gum. Nicotine gum is what we call a nicotine replacement therapy, or NRT. NRT helps lessen the cravings for cigarettes while you give up smoking. I've done a separate video that goes into more detail of NRT.
There are two main brands of nicotine gum in the UK: Nicorette and Nicotinell. Niquitin make a lozenge that you suck, instead of chewing, but we won't be covering that here. Nicotine gum usually comes in a couple of flavours. A minty one and a fruity one.
There are also different packet sizes. You can get anything from 30 to 105 pieces of gum per pack. Nicotine replacement therapy is a 12 week process. You can expect to use about 10 pieces of gum a day when you start to quit. That's 840 pieces of gum. You may chew less or more pieces than this, it all depends on the intensity of your cravings.
Nicotine gum comes in two strengths. The strong one contains 4mg or nicotine and the weaker version contains 2mg of nicotine. You use the strong one when you are just starting to quit, and then switch to the weaker nicotine gum when you are over the worst of nicotine withdrawal. If you smoke under 10 cigarettes a day you may be able to start on the 2mg gum.
So, how do you use nicotine gum? Well, you have to use it slightly differently to normal chewing gum.
Nicotine is released from the gum only when you chew it, so the idea is you only chew it to release a burst of nicotine, then you stop. You will know when nicotine is being released as your cheek will tingle and you may have a peppery taste in your mouth. It might take 10 to 15 bites before the nicotine starts to be released. The nicotine passes into your bloodstream through the lining of your mouth.
When the tingling is gone, you chew again until you feel the peppery tingle, then you stop. You keep doing this until the peppery tingle doesn't come when you chew. This means all the nicotine has been released from that piece of gum.
In the first six weeks of quitting you'll chew a piece of gum every 1 or 2 hours. If you have really bad cravings, you can use a piece of gum straight after you've finished one. You shouldn't do this often though.
If you chew the gum too fast or too frequently you can suffer from lightheadedness, dizziness, hiccups, nausea, vomiting or insomnia. You should have stopped smoking before you start using nicotine gum.
You will get detailed instructions with your nicotine gum - please read them. We also have more information on our website at www.stopsmokingshop.co.uk.
Finally, I'd like to wish you good luck with quitting. You are making a very wise choice. You will feel healthier in a very short time and will be wealthier in the long-term.
The information contained on this web site is not intended to replace discussions with a doctor or a pharmacist. Always read all product packaging and instructions before use.
