Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHarmful EffectsGum vs. PatchesChewing TimesDependence
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Harmful Effects
Gum vs. Patches
Chewing Times
Dependence
Nicotine gum, such as Nicorette (nicotine polacrilex), is a type of medicinal nicotine replacement therapy. It’s a smoking cessation aid, meaning that people chew it on a short-term basis—typically for 12 weeks—to control symptoms of withdrawal fromnicotinedependency.
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved nicotine gum to help usersquit smoking, many people wonder about its potential side effects.
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Harmful Nicotine Gum Effects
Nicotine gum is FDA-approved, and it’s safe and effective for many people as a smoking cessation aid. However, it comes with potential side effects.
Here are some possible adverse acute and long-term effects you may notice while using nicotine gum.
Immediate
There are several potential short-term side effects of chewing nicotine gum, including:
Over Time
Available evidence about the long-term effects of chewing nicotine gum is limited, partly because most people only use it for 12 weeks before quitting smoking. Some studies suggest that adverse health problems linked to long-term use (six months or longer) of nicotine gum may include:
You should avoid using nicotine gum—or talk to your healthcare provider first—if you:
Is Quitting Vaping or Cigarettes Better?
Some people think that “vaping,” which is inhaling nicotine via a vapor using electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other electronic devices, can help them quit smoking and is less harmful than smoking cigarettes. No e-cigarettes have been FDA-approved as smoking cessation aids.
There’s some evidence that vaping exposes users to fewer toxins than cigarettes. Still, diacetyl, a compound linked to an increased risk of lung damage when inhaled, is present in vapor from e-cigarettes. Also, both vaping and smoking can lead tonicotine addiction.
The truth is thatquitting vapingand quitting smoking carry many of the same benefits, such as:
What About Chantix?Chantix (varenicline) is another kind of smoking cessation aid. It’s a medication that can be taken orally to reduce the pleasurable effects of nicotine. This makes it easier for you to quit smoking within 12 weeks. Talk to your healthcare provider if you think you’d like to try this medication. Make sure to let them know about any other medications you’re currently taking.
What About Chantix?
Chantix (varenicline) is another kind of smoking cessation aid. It’s a medication that can be taken orally to reduce the pleasurable effects of nicotine. This makes it easier for you to quit smoking within 12 weeks. Talk to your healthcare provider if you think you’d like to try this medication. Make sure to let them know about any other medications you’re currently taking.
Weighing Nicotine Gum vs. Patches
Thenicotine patchis another kind of smoking cessation aid. It adheres to the skin and typically is worn for 24 hours. It slowly releases nicotine into the body to reduce withdrawal symptoms. Like nicotine gum, it’s usually used for around 12 weeks.
The nicotine patch is sometimes preferred to nicotine gum because it works all day long. However, nicotine gum is better at quickly reducing intense cravings for cigarettes or other tobacco products. Some people use both at the same time. This combination has been shown to increase your chance of quitting smoking and reducing cravings.
Talk to your healthcare provider about which form of nicotine replacement therapy may be right for you. Like nicotine gum, the nicotine patch isn’t suitable for anyone who are pregnant or breastfeeding or has a history of heart problems.
Other potential side effects of the nicotine patch include sleep disorders, such asinsomnia, and skin irritation. If you have a chronic skin condition, such aseczema, another smoking cessation aid may be a better choice.
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How Long to Chew Nicotine Gum
Most smokers and e-cigarette users who are trying to quit chew nicotine gum over 12 weeks. Typically, you should chew a piece of nicotine gum:
If you are still having cravings and withdrawal symptoms after 12 weeks, let your healthcare provider know. They can help you decide if you should keep using nicotine gum or switch to another smoking cessation aid, or if there are other underlying concerns, such as mental health symptoms, that need to be addressed.
If You Are Dependent on Nicotine Gum
It’s not common to become dependent on nicotine gum. This is because there is very little nicotine in each piece of gum, and it doesn’t get to the brain as quickly as the nicotine from a cigarette.
If tapering doesn’t work, reach out to your healthcare provider for help in cutting back, such as crafting a quit plan or setting up counseling.
Summary
Short-term potential side effects of nicotine gum include mouth irritation, a bad taste in the mouth, too much saliva, blisters, hiccups, gastrointestinal symptoms, light-headedness, and a rapid heart rate. Long-term health complications from nicotine gum—especially when used for more than six months—may include insulin resistance, gum disease, and dental problems, as well as an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and ulcers.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you need help in quitting smoking or other tobacco products. They can help you devise a quit plan that meets your needs.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Nicotine gum.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use nicotine gum.Lee PN, Fariss MW.A systematic review of possible serious adverse health effects of nicotine replacement therapy.Arch Toxicol. 2017;91(4):1565-1594. doi:10.1007/s00204-016-1856-yAmerican Heart Association.Is vaping better than smoking?U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of quitting smoking.MedlinePlus.Varenicline.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use nicotine patches.Etter JF, Eissenberg T.Dependence levels in users of electronic cigarettes, nicotine gums and tobacco cigarettes.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015;147:68-75. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.007American Cancer Society.Nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit tobacco.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Nicotine gum.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use nicotine gum.Lee PN, Fariss MW.A systematic review of possible serious adverse health effects of nicotine replacement therapy.Arch Toxicol. 2017;91(4):1565-1594. doi:10.1007/s00204-016-1856-yAmerican Heart Association.Is vaping better than smoking?U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of quitting smoking.MedlinePlus.Varenicline.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use nicotine patches.Etter JF, Eissenberg T.Dependence levels in users of electronic cigarettes, nicotine gums and tobacco cigarettes.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015;147:68-75. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.007American Cancer Society.Nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit tobacco.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Nicotine gum.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use nicotine gum.Lee PN, Fariss MW.A systematic review of possible serious adverse health effects of nicotine replacement therapy.Arch Toxicol. 2017;91(4):1565-1594. doi:10.1007/s00204-016-1856-yAmerican Heart Association.Is vaping better than smoking?U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of quitting smoking.MedlinePlus.Varenicline.U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use nicotine patches.Etter JF, Eissenberg T.Dependence levels in users of electronic cigarettes, nicotine gums and tobacco cigarettes.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015;147:68-75. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.007American Cancer Society.Nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit tobacco.
MedlinePlus.Nicotine gum.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use nicotine gum.
Lee PN, Fariss MW.A systematic review of possible serious adverse health effects of nicotine replacement therapy.Arch Toxicol. 2017;91(4):1565-1594. doi:10.1007/s00204-016-1856-y
American Heart Association.Is vaping better than smoking?
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Benefits of quitting smoking.
MedlinePlus.Varenicline.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.How to use nicotine patches.
Etter JF, Eissenberg T.Dependence levels in users of electronic cigarettes, nicotine gums and tobacco cigarettes.Drug Alcohol Depend. 2015;147:68-75. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.007
American Cancer Society.Nicotine replacement therapy to help you quit tobacco.
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