Nicotine gum
NICORETTE
What it isNicotinic acetylcholine-receptor agonist used as replacement therapy for smoking cessation.
Why this oneCombining a patch for baseline coverage with a short-acting form for cravings works better than either alone.
What limits itIt does not address behavioral cues alone. Local irritation and vivid dreams can limit the patch.
FDA-approved for
- smoking cessation (1984)
FDA label
Read the full label on DailyMed ↗
| FDA dosing | Population | Start | Target | Max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smoking cessation (nicotine replacement) | Adult | 2 patches/day (week 1) | taper: 1.5/day weeks 2–3, 1/day week 4 |
Renal Undefined
Hepatic Undefined
Taper over ~5 weeks: 2/day → 1.5/day → 1/day → half
Instructions
- Apply to clean, dry skin (wrist, upper arm, chest, thigh) in the morning; remove in the evening
- Rotate application sites to avoid over-irritating the skin
- For smoking control, apply about 30 minutes before entering a no-smoking area
Pregnancy Undefined
Lactation Undefined
NO BOXED WARNINGS
Principal riskLocal irritation; vivid dreams with the overnight patch
Cost, est. cash$300–$2,500/month
Generic entry1997
Classes and tags
Clinical profile
Legacy pregnancy categoryUnknown / historical label unavailable
Defining liabilityGenerally tolerated at therapeutic doses; clinically important risks are agent-specific and increase with interactions or organ impairment.
Mechanism of action: Nicotine gum ballicule
Open Nicotine gum in the interactive console ↗
Memory aids: mascots and interaction avatars
