Side Effects of Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum is a chewing gum which provides nicotine to the body, and hence is used as an aid to quit smoking as well as smokeless tobacco. In the United States it is available as an over-the-counter drug. A single piece of nicotine gum consists of around 2 to 4 mg of nicotine, which is approximately as much nicotine as you find in a cigarette or two. A person taking to nicotine gum should go ahead with it only on consultation with a doctor. The doctor will suggest appropriate dosage depending upon the person's smoking habits.

The nicotine in the gum is transferred to the blood stream of the individual, after being absorbed by the tissues within the mouth. It is very important to read the directions given on the packet before chewing nicotine gum. The gum should be chewed until the nicotine content in it is fully depleted. Once the gum softens after being chewed for sometime, it will produce a tingling sensation and a peppery taste. When this sensation starts, the gum has to be placed inside the mouth preferably between the gums and the cheek. As soon as the tingling sensation ends, you can restart chewing the gum until it returns.

Side Effects of Nicotine Gum

Nicotine gum side effects, which are most often mild, are experienced when the gum is not used as directed. More severe side effects, though rare, are attributed to allergic reactions, underlying medical conditions or an overdose of nicotine.

• In most cases, the individual who takes to nicotine gum in order to quit smoking, gets addicted to the gum itself. It becomes the case of replacing one addiction with another.
• The fact that nicotine gum is much less harmful than cigarettes doesn't really help, as nicotine in any amount is injurious for the body.
• Initially, the person may experience problems such as headache, indigestion, jaw ache, mouth sores and even increase in saliva.
• There is a proper process to chew nicotine gum, if done too fast the person may feel lightheaded and get nausea, vomiting and hiccups owing to quick absorption of nicotine.
• The side effects related to allergic reactions are much more severe, which include difficulty in breathing, dizziness, swelling of gums and severe itching.
• In case any of these severe symptoms are experienced, it is wise to seek prompt medical attention, as it may lead to further complications such as gum diseases and seizures.
• Another frequently occurring side effect of chewing nicotine gum is the apparent constriction of the muscles of the throat.
• As nicotine constricts the blood vessels in the gums, use of nicotine gum for a longer period of time can lead to gum diseases, owing to inadequate blood flow.
• Researches reveal that approximately one-thirds of people using nicotine gum to quit smoking experience evident hair loss.
• People with history of heartburn are likely to experience flare up on using nicotine gum, and hence it's best avoided for them.
• Nicotine overdose, one of the major concerns of using nicotine gum, can occur if the individual continues smoking while using nicotine gum, or uses more gum than what was directed.
• The side effects related to nicotine overdose include chest pain, irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, along with severe dizziness, blurring of vision and seizures.

Although, using nicotine gum is a very efficient way to quit smoking, it is necessary to know how it works and its possible side effects, before using it. It wouldn't be a good idea to get addicted to one thing in order to get de-addicted from another, and therefore it is advisable to consult a doctor before you take to nicotine gum to quit smoking.