Nicorette is an aid that helps people who want to stop smoking. It is a smoking deterrent and belongs to a category of medication known as nicotine replacement therapy.

Nicorette is available is two forms, as gum and inhaler. Let's take a look at both these forms:

1. Nicorette gum: Before you use this medication, stop smoking. Whenever you have the urge to smoke, chew a piece of the gum. You must chew the gum slowly for at least 30 minutes for it to release all the nicotine. It tastes like pepper and causes a tingling sensation when chewed.

Initially, you may experience mouth sores, increased saliva production, jaw muscle aches and headache. However, these effects will disappear over a period of continued use.

Chewing nicorette gum too fast can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, light-headedness and insomnia. If you experience any of these, chew the gum slower.

You must consult a doctor if you experience symptoms of excessive nicotine in the body. These include cold sweats, pounding heart and fainting. These symptoms may also be due to an allergic reaction to the drug. You must seek immediate medical help if you experience these.

Before you start taking this medication, don't forget to discuss your medical history with a doctor. Tell him about any heart ailment, diabetes or allergies you have. Nicorette must not be taken during pregnancy because nicotine can get secreted in the milk and affect the infant.

2. Nicorette inhaler: One nicorette inhaler cartridge contains approximately 10 mg of nicotine. The inhaler releases about 40% or 4 mg of nicotine over 20 minutes. Out of this 4 mg, only 2 mg gets absorbed systemically. This is just one-third the amount of nicotine that you would have if you smoked a cigarette.

Nicorette inhalers should not be used by people under 18 years of age, pregnant women, heart patients and people who are allergic to nicotine. A Nicorette inhaler is a good choice for people with dentures who can't use nicorette gum.

The side effects of the nicorette inhaler are the same as those produced by the gum. Typically, a nicorette inhaler is to be used for a period of at least 3 months to help stop smoking. If you stop using the inhaler before the 3 months are up, you will find yourself craving nicotine more than ever before. Like nicorette gum, use the inhaler when you feel the urge to smoke.

Nicorette has proven to be an effective tool to help people stop smoking in both its forms.