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Nicotine chewing gum

Key points about nicotine gum

Nicotine chewing gum is a form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
It provides you with some nicotine to reduce your urge to smoke and manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping or reducing smoking.
Find out how to use it safely and possible side effects.

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Nicotine chewing gum is a form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). This means that it provides you with some nicotine to reduce your urge to smoke and help you to manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with stopping or reducing smoking.

Nicotine gum releases nicotine quickly and is useful for helping with cravings. The chewing action also helps to distract you from your craving, giving your mouth something else to do (other than smoking).

For your best chance of success, use a combination of NRT, eg, the faster-acting gum, along with the nicotine patch which releases nicotine slowly over a few hours. Read more about nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).

In Aotearoa New Zealand a few brands of nicotine gum can be bought from your pharmacy – Habitrol, Nicorette and Nicotrol. They're available in 2 strengths (2 mg and 4 mg) and a few different flavours.

Habitrol is the funded brand, which means that it's available free from a stop-smoking service provider or at a subsidised cost from your pharmacy ($5 for a 4 week supply, with the option of a free repeat). Learn more about how to get NRT.

Nicotine gum is available in 2 strengths, 2 mg and 4 mg. For best results, make sure you start on the right dose. Your dose of gum depends on:

how many cigarettes per day you are smoking, and
how soon after waking you needed your first cigarette, and
other NRT products you are using.

Your healthcare provider will advise you on the best dose for you.

Use no more than 1 piece of gum every 1 to 2 hours for the first 6 weeks of your quit attempt. Try to think ahead about when you might get a craving for a cigarette, and then use a piece of gum before the craving happens. This is to ensure that your body gets enough nicotine to ease the withdrawal symptoms you may be feeling.
If you're using the gum with the nicotine patch, you should use the lower 2 mg strength. You may not need to use the gum as often because you will only use it when you get or expect a craving.

Nicotine gum is not like regular chewing gum. For the best results it's important to use it correctly.

Place 1 piece of gum in your mouth and chew slowly until the taste becomes strong.
Rest or park the gum between the gum and the cheek to absorb the nicotine.
When the taste has faded, start chewing again.
In total, chew for around 30 minutes then discard the gum.

Video: Nicotine replacement therapy – gum and lozenges

(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: Gum

StartRightNRT, NZ, 2013)

Avoid acidic drinks (eg, coffee, fizzy drinks or fruit juice) for 15 minutes before chewing the gum.
Remove any dentures before using the gum as the gum can stick to them and cause damage.
After 3 months you may only need 1 to 2 pieces of gum per day; then you may be able to stop completely. For some people this could take up to 6 months.

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 Increased salivation Fast heart beats	This are common side effects. Tell your doctor if these bother you – you may need to use a different formulation.
Hiccups Vomiting Dyspepsia	This are common side effects. Let your doctor know if it these bother you.
Tiredness Headache Dizziness	These are common side effects for all NRT products, not just chewing gum. If you have headaches, try taking paracetamol.
Restlessness Anxiety Difficulty in sleeping Depression Irritability	These are common side effects for all NRT products, not just chewing gum. Tell your doctor if these bother you.
Nausea Mouth ulcers	These are common side effects for all NRT products, not just chewing gum. 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 for all NRT products, not just chewing gum. Tell your doctor if this is a concern.