Nicotex Chewing Gum (Generic Nicorette) - Active Ingredient And Chemical structure
Nicotex Chewing Gum is designed to provide partial substitution for the nicotine in cigarette smoke, which is believed to be one of the principal factors in the prolonging the smoking habit. Nicotex Gum is intended to cushion the patients against the trauma of withdrawal. The active ingredient contained in is Nicotine Polacrilex . The structure is shown below
Nicotex Chewing Gum (Nicotine Gum) - Uses
Nicotine Gum in the form of Generic Nicorette Gum is used as an aid for for smoking cessation therapy. Nicotex Chewing Gum reduces withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting smoking.
Generic Forms and Brand names of Nicotine Chewing Gum
Nicotex Chewing Gum manufactured by Cipla Ltd., India is an effective treatment aid in nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), a process which helps smokers quit smoking tobacco. Nicorette which has the active ingredient Nicotine Polacrilex is also sold as Nicoderm, Nicogum, Nicotex and Nicotinell.
Nicotex Chewing Gum - Preparations
Nicotex Gum is available as packs of 10 gum pieces. Each piece of Nicotex Chewing Gum contains either 2 mg or 4 mg of Nicotine polacrilex.
Nicotex Chewing Gum - Storage Requirements
Nicotex Chewing Gum is to be stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light.
Nicotex Chewing Gum (Nicotine Gum)- Dosage
The dosing schedule is given below: Patients smoking 25 or more cigarettes a day, have to use 4 mg nicotine gum whereas patients that were smoking less than 25 cigarettes a day, should use 2 mg nicotine gum. Nicotex Chewing Gum has to be used as per the following 12-week schedule:
Weeks 1-6: One piece of gum every 1-2 hours
Weeks 7-9: One piece of gum every 2-4 hours
Weeks 10-12: One piece of gum every 4-8 hours. Do not use more than 24 pieces of Nicotex gum a day.
How To Use Nicotex Chewing Gum (Generic Nicorette) For Maximum Benefit
Each gum piece of gum has to be chewed very slowly several times.Stop chewing Nicotex Chewing Gum when you get a peppery taste or a slight tingling in the mouth. This usually happens after about 1 minute or 15 chews, but may vary from person to person. Shift the chewing gum to one corner or side of your mouth, and leave it there.
When the peppery taste or tingle is almost gone (in about a minute), again start chewing the gum piece slowly. Stop when the taste or tingle returns and shift the gum to a different place in your mouth every time. Repeat the chewing and shifting process of the gum till most of the nicotine is gone from the Nicotex Chewing Gum. This usually happens in about 30 minutes and the peppery taste or tingle will not return.
Nicotex Chewing Gum (Generic Nicorette) - Contraindications
Nicotex Chewing Gum is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to nicotine polacrilex or any other inactive ingredients present in the chewing gum. Nicotex Chewing Gum is also contraindicated in pregnancy because of well known adverse effect of nicotine on the fetus. Generic Nicorette is also contraindicated in breast feeding mothers, as nicotine is excreted in breast milk.
Side Effects Of Nicotex Chewing Gum (Generic Nicorette)
The most common side effects of Nicotex Chewing Gum, usually in the early days of treatment are apthous ulcers, throat irritation, excessive salivation and hiccups. These symptoms are usually more frequent and severe with the 4 mg gums than the 2 mg version.
Excessive weight gain is sometimes associated with abstention of smoking. Hence, a patient on Nicorette therapy has to be weighed at regular intervals, and if required suitable modifications in diet should be done.
