Nicorette

Nicorette products are indicated for the relief of withdrawal symptoms associated with nicotine withdrawal and to aid in smoking cessation. It is suggested that Nicorette products should be used in "conjunction with a behavioural support programme". Following advice from a working group set up by the Committee on Safety of Medicines (since 2005, the Commission on Human Medicines) the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) concluded that nicotine replacement therapy products should be used also by those who are unable to stop abruptly. (it has been concluded that "the use of NRT in pregnancy does not give undue concern and any harm caused by nicotine replacement must be compared with that caused by continued smoking – which is extremely harmful to both the woman and her child".) Nicorette, like all other nicotine replacement therapy products, are most beneficial for heavy smokers (more than 15 cigarettes per day). There are not enough studies to show that nicotine replacement therapy helps those who smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes per day. == Contraindications ==

The typical contraindication (reason to not use) for Nicorette products is hypersensitivity to nicotine. In 2013, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that the contraindication concerning usage of nicotine replacement therapy products while smoking is no longer valid. The FDA approved labeling for Nicorette products with a warning concerning pregnancy and breastfeeding: "This medicine is believed to be safer than smoking. However, the risks to your child from this medicine are not fully known". The FDA suggests not using Nicorette products if the patient continues to smoke, or use chewing tobacco, snuff or other nicotine-containing products. The FDA suggests stopping use of Nicorette products in cases of irregular heartbeat or palpitations, symptoms of nicotine overdose (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, and rapid heartbeat) or skin redness caused by the patch. == Formats ==

Gum Nicorette chewing gum releases nicotine while chewing. Nicotine then is absorbed across the oral mucosa into the systemic circulation. Patients are advised to chew the gum slowly and intermittently to avoid the risk of releasing too much nicotine. It is also suggested not to eat or drink while chewing since foods and beverages can reduce nicotine absorption. Nicorette chewing gum is available in two strengths: 2 mg/piece and 4 mg/piece. Dosing would depend on the degree of nicotine dependence: light smokers should use 2 mg gum, heavy smokers (more than 25 cigarettes a day) should use 4 mg gum. They are usually applied in the morning and removed at bedtime. The patch supports smoking cessation within 12 week programme: 25 mg patch (25 mg nicotine over 16 hours) for eight weeks (Step 1), 15 mg patch for two weeks (Step 2), 10 mg patch for the last two weeks (Step 3). Light smokers (less than 10 cigarettes per day) were recommended to start at Step 2 (15 mg) for eight weeks and reduce the dose to 10 mg for the last four weeks. Microtab Microtab supplies nicotine to the body by mouth. It is different from the chewing gum because instead of chewing the patient should allow the tablet to dissolve slowly under the tongue (the tablet dissolves in about 20-30 minutes). The action is similar to 2 mg nicotine gum. Treatment should be stopped when daily consumption is around 1-2 tablets per day. A 2024 placebo-controlled clinical trial in exclusive e-cigarette users showed that Nicorette QuickMist reduced urges to vape compared with placebo from 30 seconds up to at least 1–2 hours. It also found that participants who used the spray reported more adverse events than the placebo group. MHRA suggests not to use more than 2 sprays at a time, up to 4 sprays per hour and no more than 64 sprays per 24 hours period. Other formats In the UK Nicorette also sells an inhalator and nasal spray. == History ==

Nicotine gum The Nicorette brand started with a nicotine gum developed in Helsingborg (Sweden) by the company Leo AB, later part of Pharmacia & Upjohn. It was the first product for nicotine replacement therapy In December 1967, Fernö, Vice President of Research and Development at AB Leo, Fernö began experimenting with nicotine gum in 1969, and quit smoking himself after one year of use. Nicotine chewing gum was presented at the Third World Conference on Smoking and Health in New York in 1975, by Fernö in partnership with the British researcher Michael Russell from the Institute of Psychiatry, who pioneered the measurement of blood nicotine levels. Russell and his colleagues at the Addiction Research Unit at the Institute of Psychiatry became involved in further research into nicotine gum through randomised controlled trials funded by the British Medical Research Council and the UK Department of Health and Social Security. In January 1984, Nicorette chewing gum was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration after a 34-month review. It was brought to the US market by Marion Merrell Dow under licence from AB Leo. In 2016, it was the third biggest selling branded over-the-counter medication sold in Great Britain, with sales of £66.0 million. Further product The Nicorette Patch was introduced to the market in 1991 and the nasal spray in 1994. The Nicorette inhaler was launched in 1996 and Nicorette Microtab (sublingual tablets) in 1999. In 2002, the FDA changed the status of Commit lozenges to over the counter in the US. In 2005, Nicorette introduced Fresh Mint chewing gum. In December 2008, Nicorette introduced a new semi-transparent nicotine patch under the trade name "Invisipatch". As stated by the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, in addition to this more discreet patch to encourage better customer compliance, new Nicorette transdermal patches have been developed to: reduce patch size; add a higher dosage strength of 25 mg of nicotine to the previously available 5, 10 and 15 mg; and increase the proportion of bioavailable nicotine). and Nicorette Mentolmint, a chewing gum with softer menthol taste. which provides more rapid absorption of nicotine than lozenges or gum. In 2025, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved Nicorette QuickMist as the first registered medicine in Australia specifically indicated for nicotine vaping dependence. In January 2011, Nicorette UK launched the ActiveStop mobile app for iOS featuring target setting, a wish list, distractions, achievement sharing, information and games. In 2018, the brand released a new product, coated ice mint lozenges, shifting toward addressing e-cigarette dependence. == Brand communication ==

Yacht race sponsorship Nicorette has been sponsoring yacht racing since 1993 when it partnered with Ludde Ingvall, a Finnish-Australian sailor who started a non-smoking team in 1991. A spokesperson for the organizing committee of the race later admitted that the yacht was barred because they considered the product to be in competition with the sponsor's product. In the same year the yacht won the Fastnet Race. In 1997, the yacht broke the Transatlantic mono-hull record, covering the route from New York City to Lizard Point (Great Britain) in 11 days 13:22.58. Second and third generations of the yacht won the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 2000 and 2004. Car race sponsorship During the 90s Nicorette (GlaxoSmithKline) sponsored Dennis Vitolo (ex-smoker) in Payton Coyne Racing and The Grand Prix of Miami. In 2005, the brand entered NASCAR race sponsorship with Casey Mears. From 2006 to 2008, Nicorette sponsored Hendrick Motorsports with Jeff Gordon's car. During that same time period the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway carried the title Nicorette 300. The brand also runs the Nicorette's Quit Crew program to help racers quit smoking. It was reported that the brand supports car races because NASCAR fans are heavy smokers. == See also ==