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Nicotine Gum Warnings

Nicotine gum is a product designed to help individuals stop smoking cigarettes. Gum acts as a substitute oral activity, providing the smoker with a source of nicotine that diminishes withdrawal symptoms, which appear when one discontinues smoking. Nicotine gum should only be used as directed, by following the directions on the label or by asking advice from your doctor or pharmacist. You need to be aware of a number of warnings regarding nicotine gum before beginning to use it.

  1. General Warnings

    • You should not use nicotine gum if you continue to smoke, use snuff, chew tobacco or if you use other nicotine containing products, such as nicotine patches. There are times when you should consult your doctor before beginning a treatment with nicotine gum. Call your physician if you are on a a sodium-restricted diet, if you have heart disease or if you have recently experienced a heart attack, because nicotine can increase your heart rate, as well as your blood pressure. Patients with diabetes and stomach ulcers should also consult medical personnel before using nicotine gum. If you are taking prescription medication for asthma or depression, your prescription might need to be adjusted.

    Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

    • If you are pregnant, or if you think you might be pregnant, consult your doctor about the effects nicotine gum may have on the fetus. Using nicotine replacement products during pregnancy is generally recommended only when the benefits outweigh the risks. One or two pieces of nicotine gum have less ability of increasing the heart rate and fetal blood flow and decreasing fetal breathing movements and uterine blood flow than one or two cigarettes. Because nicotine is excreted in breast milk, check with your doctor about the risks of chewing nicotine gum while you're breastfeeding.

    Warnings about Side Effects

    • As with any other medication, nicotine gum may have side effects on the consumer. Check with your doctor if you experience one or more of common side effects of nicotine gum, including diarrhea, dry mouth, sleeping difficulty, muscle pain, redness, nervousness, sweating, itching or weakness. Sometimes, severe effects might occur when using nicotine gum, including pounding in the chest or severe allergic reactions (hives, rash, swelling of the mouth, tongue, face or lips). If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention right away.

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