The Nicotine Gum is a fast-acting form of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) where nicotine goes into the body through the mucous membrane of the mouth. The nicotine gum comes in two strengths or dosages of nicotine: 2 mg and 4 mg. To use the nicotine gum, you must chew it slowly until a peppery taste is noted from it. For about 20 to 30 minutes, the cycle of chewing and then stopping by placing it for a few minutes inside your cheek to absorb the nicotine is done. When you're taking the gum, be sure to avoid acidic foods and drinks like coffee or soft drinks for at least 15 minutes before and during gum use as they can affect nicotine absorption.
It is recommended that you start with the 4 mg dose if you are used to smoking 30 minutes after waking up, or smoke a pack or more per day, or have difficulty not smoking in restricted areas. The gum is prescribed for 1 to 3 months use with a maximum of 6 months and limited to 20 pieces of gum per day. By reducing the amount of gum that you use in a day, it can make your need for nicotine to be controlled and will lead you to eventually stop.
An advantage of the nicotine gum is that it cannot cause skin irritations unlike the nicotine patch. Most smokers who have sensitive skin use the gum instead of the patch. It also allows you to control your nicotine intake by limiting your gum usage in a day and by having schedules of when you chew the gum during the day. Studies show that having fixed schedules of gum intake, say 1 to 2 gums in an hour, works better. You could also opt to use it when you only need it the most, when you have your cravings.
There are also disadvantages or side effects that are associated with the nicotine gum. People who have used the gum would usually complain of jaw discomfort due to chewing, mouth sores, throat irritations, and nausea. Swallowing the gum may also cause stomach aches and chewing it too fast may really hurt your jaw. Dental works can also be affected by the gum due to the nicotine content.
It has also been noted that the nicotine gum users tend to have long-term dependence on it. While it is only recommended for a 6-month maximum use, about 20% of the users say they keep using the gum until about a year. Though using the gum is a lot safer than going back to smoking, only a few facts have been known on the long-term use of nicotine gum. It is still advisable that you limit your use for a maximum of 6 months.
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