Resources for Patients

Chewing nicotine gum releases nicotine which is absorbed through the inside of your mouth. The most common adverse effects are gastrointestinal disturbances: stomachache, nausea, and hiccups; occasional headache if the gum is chewed too quickly; jaw pain, and dental problems.

Tips for Use

• No food or drink for 15 minutes before, or during use.
• Chew the gum slowly until it feels “peppery,” or you get a tingling sensation (~15 to 30 chews).
• Park the gum between your cheek and gum.
• Resume chewing when the sensation fades.
• Repeat the above steps until sensation does not reappear.
• Don’t always park the gum at the same place in your mouth.

Nicotine lozenges (hard candy) are most effective when they dissolve in your mouth, so you should avoid chewing or swallowing them. The most common adverse effects are stomachache and throat irritation.

Tips for Use

• No food or drink for 15 minutes before, or during use.
• Allow the lozenge to dissolve in your mouth slowly over 20 to 30 minutes.
• Rotate to different areas of mouth.
• The nicotine release may cause a tingling sensation.

How to Use Your Nicotine Gum and Lozenges (English)

Cómo utilizar los chicles y pastillas de nicotina (Español/Spanish)

The nicotine patch is applied once a day and worn for 16 to 24 hours, for 8 to 12 weeks. It provides a low continuous dose of nicotine that is absorbed through your skin. The most common adverse reaction is skin irritation.

Tips for Use

• Apply one new patch every 24 hours on skin that is dry, clean, and hairless.
• Do not cut the patch.
• Only wear one patch at a time.
• Wash your hands after applying or removing the patch.
• If you find you are having trouble sleeping, try applying for 16 hours and removing it at night.

How to Use Your Nicotine Patch (English)

Cómo utilizar su parche de nicotine (Español/Spanish)

Bupropion (Wellbutrin or Zyban) is a prescription oral medication (pill) that is thought to work by enhancing dopamine levels in your brain and nervous system to reduce withdrawal symptoms. You should start taking it 1 to 2 weeks before your Quit Date. You can use this medication along with NRT (for example, nicotine gum or patch) to help improve your chance of success.

The main adverse effects of this medication are insomnia, headache, dry mouth, nausea, dizziness, and anxiety. There is a rare incidence of seizures. If you are taking this medication, keep track of how you feel and tell your provider if you notice any changes in your behavior, increased agitation, depressed mood, or suicidal ideation.

Some patients should not take bupropion to help quit smoking:

• Those who are allergic to it
• Those who are already using it for another medical diagnosis
• Anyone with a history of, or currently having, seizures
• Those with central nervous system tumors
• Anyone undergoing abrupt withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines
• Anyone with a history of, or currently struggling with, anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• Users of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (within the past 14 days)
• Those with renal and liver failure (use caution)

What to Know about Your Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) Medication (English)

Qué debe saber sobre el medicamento bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban) (Español/Spanish)

Varenicline (Chantix) is a prescription oral medication (pill) that prevents nicotine from stimulating the brain and reduces the pleasure received when smoking. This helps to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Smokers are often told to start taking varenicline one week before their Quit Date, but a longer preloading period (up to 1 month) can also be effective. You can use this medication along with NRT (for example, nicotine gum or patch) to help improve your chance of success.

If you are taking this medication, keep track of how you feel and tell your provider if you notice any changes in your behavior, increased agitation, depressed mood, or suicidal ideation. The other main adverse effects of this medication are nausea (taking it with food and a full glass of water can help with this), abnormal or vivid dreams, and trouble sleeping. To minimize side effects, patients usually start at a lower dose and gradually increase it.

Patients with kidney disease and on hemodialysis should check with their provider before taking varenicline.

What to Know about Your Varenicline (Chantix) Medication (English)

Qué debe saber sobre el medicamento Vareniclina (Chantix) (Español/Spanish)