To stop smoking, many take nicotine lozenges. Nicotine lozenges belong to the group of drugs known as smoking cessation aids. They function by supplying your body with nicotine, which lessens the withdrawal symptoms and craving to smoke experienced when you stop smoking.

Nicotine is available as a lozenge that dissolves gradually in the mouth. Usually, it is used in accordance with the instructions on the packaging, at least 15 minutes after consuming food or liquids. Pay close attention to the instructions on the medication container, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to clarify any information you are unsure of. Use nicotine lozenges as advised. Use these only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

Use 4-mg nicotine lozenges if you smoke your first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking up in the morning. Use 2 mg-nicotine lozenges if you smoke your first cigarette more than 30 minutes after waking up in the morning.

You should take one lozenge every one to two hours from week one through week six of treatment. Your likelihood of giving up will increase if you take at least nine lozenges daily. You should take one lozenge every two to four hours from weeks seven to nine. You should take one lozenge every four to eight hours from weeks 10 to 12.

Use a maximum of five lozenges every six hours and 20 lozenges each day. Avoid taking more than one lozenge at once or taking two lozenges at once. Hiccups, heartburn, and nausea are a few of the negative effects that might occur from using too many lozenges at once or one after another.

Place the lozenge in your mouth and let it slowly melt to use. Avoid crushing, chewing, or swallowing lozenges. The lozenge should occasionally be moved from one side of your mouth to the other using your tongue. It should dissolve in 20 to 30 minutes. While the lozenge is in your mouth, avoid eating.

After 12 weeks, stop using nicotine lozenges. See your doctor if you still feel the urge to take nicotine lozenges.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details; this medicine may also be used to treat other diseases.

Before using nicotine lozenges,

• If you have an allergy to nicotine, any other drugs, or any of the substances in nicotine lozenges, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Do not take nicotine lozenges if you are also using a nicotine patch, gum, inhaler, or nasal spray to help you quit smoking.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Mention any of the following: asthma or depression drugs, as well as non-nicotine smoking cessation aids like varenicline (Chantix) or bupropion (Wellbutrin). Once you stop smoking, your doctor might need to adjust the dosage of your medications.
• A recent heart attack, heart disease, an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, a stomach ulcer, diabetes, or phenylketonuria should all be disclosed to your doctor (PKU, an inherited condition in which a special diet must be followed to prevent damage to your brain that can cause severe intellectual disability).
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while using nicotine lozenges.
• Completely give up smoking. Nicotine lozenges may have negative effects if you continue to smoke.
• Ask your doctor or pharmacist for guidance and written materials to assist you in quitting smoking. If your doctor provides you with information and encouragement, you have a greater chance of successfully quitting smoking while using nicotine lozenges.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Side effects from nicotine lozenges could exist. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, consult your doctor right once:

• Heartburn
• Unwell throat

Certain adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have either of these signs or symptoms:

• Mouth issues
• Rapid or irregular pulse

Further negative effects of nicotine lozenges are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

Keep this prescription tightly wrapped in the container it came in, out from the reach of children and animals. Keep it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). If a lozenge needs to be taken out, wrap it in paper and put it in a garbage bin safely, out from the reach of kids and animals.

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Weakness
• Rapid heart rate

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

Address any queries you may have regarding nicotine lozenges to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.