This medication can help you quit smoking by replacing
the nicotine in cigarettes. The nicotine in tobacco is an important part of
cigarette addiction. When you stop smoking, your nicotine levels drop
quickly. This drop can cause withdrawal symptoms such as craving tobacco,
nervousness, irritability, headache, weight gain, and difficulty
concentrating. Using the inhaler can replace the hand-to-mouth habit of
smoking.
Stopping smoking is hard and your chance of success is
best when you are ready and have made a commitment to quit. Nicotine
replacement products are part of a total stop-smoking program that includes
behavior change, counseling, and support. Smoking causes lung disease,
cancer, and heart disease. Stopping smoking is one of the most important
things you can do to improve your health and live longer.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from
your pharmacist before you start using your nicotine inhaler and each time
you get a refill. Follow all the directions for use carefully. If you have
any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
It is very important to stop smoking completely while
using this nicotine product. Insert a cartridge into the mouthpiece and
inhale the medication by quickly puffing on the mouthpiece for four
5-minute sessions or continually for about 20 minutes. Although using the
inhaler is like smoking a cigarette, you do not need to inhale deeply as
you would a cigarette for the medicine to work. The medicine works in the
mouth and throat, not in the lungs.
Avoid acidic food and drink (such as citrus fruit,
coffee, juices, carbonated drinks) for 15 minutes before inhaling this
medication.
After using the inhaler for a total of 20 minutes,
remove the used cartridge and throw it away out of reach of children and
pets. The mouthpiece is reusable. Clean with soap and
water.
When you quit smoking, start using a nicotine cartridge
whenever you crave a cigarette. Usually, you will use at least 6 cartridges
each day for the first 3 to 6 weeks or as directed by your doctor. Do not
use more than 16 cartridges in a day. Your doctor may direct you to use
this product on a regular schedule as well as at times when you have the
urge to smoke. Regular use can help your body get used to the medication
and decrease side effects such as sore throat. The best dose for you is the
dose that decreases the urge to smoke without side effects from too much
nicotine. Follow your doctor's orders carefully. Your dose will need to be
adjusted to your needs, including smoking history and medical
condition.
After you have stopped smoking and you have reached the
best dose and schedule for you, continue at that dose. Usually, after about
3 months, your doctor will help you gradually reduce your dose until you
are no longer smoking and no longer need nicotine
replacement.
If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have
withdrawal symptoms (such as tobacco cravings, nervousness, irritability,
headache). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose
slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used nicotine for a long time
or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have
withdrawal.
Tell your doctor if you have not been able to quit
smoking after using this product for 4 weeks. Some smokers are unsuccessful
the first time they try to quit. You may need to stop using this product
and try again later. Many people who cannot quit the first time are
successful the next time.
Headache, nausea, mouth/tooth/throat pain, cough,
runny/stuffy nose, change in taste, heartburn, hiccups, sweating, or
diarrhea may occur. Common nicotine withdrawal symptoms can occur when you
stop smoking and include dizziness, anxiety, depression, or trouble
sleeping, among others. If any of these withdrawal symptoms or side effects
last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects. Serious side effects are more likely if you continue to smoke
while using this product. Do not smoke while you are using this
medication.
Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right
away if you have any serious side effects, including:
- severe dizziness
- mental/mood changes (such as irritability, trouble sleeping,
vivid dreams)
- numbness/tingling in hands/feet
- swelling hands/ankles/feet
Stop using this medication and get medical help right
away if you have any very serious side effects, including:
- chest pain
- confusion
- severe headache
- fast/irregular/pounding heartbeat
- trouble speaking
- weakness on one side of the body
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before using this product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies.
This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as menthol), which can
cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for
more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- blood vessel disease (such as Raynaud's disease,
stroke)
- breathing problems (such as asthma, emphysema)
- diabetes
- heart disease (such as chest pain, heart attack, irregular
heartbeat)
- high blood pressure
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- esophagus problems (such as esophagitis)
- stomach/intestinal sores (peptic ulcers)
- a certain adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- seizures
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
Nicotine and smoking may harm an unborn baby. If you are
pregnant, try to stop smoking without using a nicotine replacement product
if possible. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when
clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
Nicotine from smoking and from this medication passes
into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.
Smoking near an infant can also harm the infant. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Stopping smoking can change the way the liver removes
certain drugs from the body (including acetaminophen, caffeine, insulin,
oxazepam, pentazocine, propoxyphene, propranolol, theophylline, tricyclic
antidepressants such as amitriptyline/imipramine, "water pills"/diuretics
such as furosemide). Tell all your doctors and pharmacists that you are
quitting smoking.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include:
confusion, drooling, seizure, slow/shallow breathing, hearing
problems.
Do not share this medication with others.
If you are using this on a regular schedule and you miss
a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next
dose, skip the missed dose. Use your next dose at the regular time. Do not
double the dose to catch up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. This medication will not work well if it is
too cold. Keep the medication in an inside pocket or warm area during cold
weather. Keep all medications away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.