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Nicotine mouth spray

Key points about nicotine mouth spray

Nicotine mouth spray helps prevent cravings or the urge to smoke.
Nicotine mouth spray is also called Nicorette® Quickmist.
Find out how to use it safely and possible side effects.

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Nicotine mouth spray is available as:

Nicorette® Quickmist 1 mg per spray (each mouth spray contains at least 150 sprays)
It comes in a fresh mint or cool berry flavour.

Dose

Use 1 to 2 sprays in your mouth when the urge to smoke occurs or to prevent cravings.
Maximum dose: Do not use more than 4 sprays an hour for 16 hours or more than 64 sprays a day.

Before using for the first time, prime the pump by pressing the top firmly into a tissue until a fine mist appears. If you don’t use the spray for a couple of days, you may need to repeat this step.
Press the top of the dispenser to release 1 spray into your mouth (either under your tongue or on the inside of your cheek)
Wait a few seconds before swallowing.
Using 2 NRT products (eg, a combination of patches and mouth spray) is more effective than using 1.

Video: Nicotine replacement therapy – inhalators and mouth spray

(Te Whatu Ora | Health Promotion, NZ, 2024)
te reo Māori version.(external link)

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

If you have oesophagitis, gastritis, or peptic ulcers, using swallowed NRT can worsen these conditions. Let your doctor know if any symptoms get worse.

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 Irritation in your nostrils Dry mouth	These are quite common when using the oral spray Talk your doctor if these bother you – you may need to use a different formulation.
Increased salivation Tummy pain Flatulence (wind) Taste disturbance	Talk to your doctor if these bother you.
Watery eyes Blurred vision	Discuss with your doctor or optometrist (eye specialist) if these bother you.
Tiredness Headache Dizziness	These are a common side effect for all NRT products, not just the mouth spray. Talk to your doctor if these bother you.
Restlessness Anxiety Difficulty in sleeping Depression Irritability	These are common side effects for all NRT products, not just the mouth spray. Tell your doctor if these bother you.
Nausea Mouth ulcers	These are common side effects for all NRT products, not just the mouth spray. 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 a common side effect for all NRT products, not just the mouth spray. Tell your doctor if this is a concern.