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Nicotine inhalator

Key points about nicotine inhalators

A nicotine mouth spray helps prevent cravings or urge to smoke.
Nicotine inhalator is also called Nicorette® 15 mg Inhalator.
Find out how to use it safely and possible side effects.

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The nicotine inhalator is available as Nicorette® 15 mg Inhalator (each pack contains a plastic tube and 20 cartridges).

This is a plastic tube with a nicotine capsule inside it. So when you puff on it, the air flows through the capsule and brings nicotine into your mouth. You can hold it like a cigarette so it's useful for keeping your hands busy.

Image credit: StartRightNRT

Use it whenever you have the urge to smoke.
When you have a craving take a shallow puff about every 4 seconds or take 2 deep puffs every minute.
Use it regularly.
A single 15 mg cartridge lasts for approximately 40 minutes of continuous use.
Most people find they need to use 3 to 6 cartridges per day.

Line up the markers and pull each end in the opposite direction
Insert the cartridge into the plastic tube (mouthpiece) and twist to close.
Draw in air through the mouthpiece.
The amount of nicotine from 1 puff of the cartridge is less than that from a cigarette; inhale more often than when smoking a cigarette (8–10 times as many puffs as when smoking a cigarette).

Video: Nicotine replacement therapy – inhalator

(Te Whatu Ora | Health Promotion, NZ, 2024)
te reo Māori version(external link)
This video is also available with transcripts in Samoan and Tongan.

Video: Inhaler

(StartRightNRT, 2013)

Avoid acidic drinks (eg, coffee or fruit juice) for 15 minutes before inhaling a puff from the cartridge.
Using 2 NRT products (eg, a combination of patches and oral preparations – the inhalator is an oral preparation) is more effective than using 1.

Here are some things to know when you're using the inhalator. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

Before starting to use an inhalator let your healthcare provider know if you have any of the following conditions or you have worsening symptoms of:
- obstructive lung disease, chronic throat disease, or bronchospastic disease
- oesophagitis, gastritis, or peptic ulcers.

Avoid acidic drinks (eg, coffee or fruit juice) for 15 minutes before inhaling a puff from the cartridge.
Using 2 NRT products (eg, a combination of patches and oral preparations) is more effective than using 1.

Like all medicines, NRT can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them and serious side effects are very rare. Side effects may be similar to smoking withdrawal symptoms which should disappear within 4 weeks. Often side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Side effects	What should I do?
Scratchy throat Nasal congestion Fast heart beats	These are quite common when using the inhalator. Discuss with your doctor if these bother you – you may need to use a different formulation.
Tiredness Headache Dizziness	These are common side effects of all NRT products, not just the inhalator. If you have headaches, try taking paracetamol.
Restlessness Anxiety Difficulty in sleeping Depression Irritability	These are common side effects of all NRT products, not just the inhalator. Tell your doctor if these bother you.
Nausea Mouth ulcers	These are common side effects of all NRT products, not just the inhalator. These are common at the beginning of treatment as nicotine can irritate the mouth lining. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if these bother you.
Increased appetite Weight gain	These are common side effects of all NRT products, not just the inhalator. Tell your doctor if this is a concern.