Generic Name: nicotine lozenge
Brand Names: Nicorette Lozenge, Nicorette Mini Lozenge
Drug Class: Smoking Cessation Aids
What is nicotine lozenge, and what is it used for?
Nicotine is a chemical compound that naturally occurs in tobacco plants. Nicotine is a potent stimulant and a highly addictive substance that is the primary chemical present in all tobacco products. Nicotine stimulates the central nervous system producing rewarding effects, but it is also a toxic chemical that increases heart rate and blood pressure and is associated with hardening of arteries, heart disease, cancers and many other chronic diseases.
Nicotine lozenges are used as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help give up smoking tobacco. Abrupt discontinuation of tobacco products causes nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine lozenges help relieve the craving and withdrawal symptoms while gradually weaning off nicotine. NRT helps reduce the urge to smoke cigarettes because the body still gets nicotine from another safer method.
Warnings
- Do not use nicotine lozenges in smokers with the following conditions:
- Hypersensitivity to any of the components in nicotine lozenge
- Life-threatening irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmia)
- Severe or worsening chest pain from coronary artery disease (angina pectoris)
- Recovery period after a heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Soya allergy, some products contain soya
- Use nicotine with caution in smokers with the following conditions:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Serious cardiac arrhythmias
- History of coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, and myocardial infarction
- History of gastrointestinal conditions including esophagus inflammation (esophagitis), inflammation of oral tissue and throat (oropharyngeal) and peptic ulcer disease
- Insulin dependent diabetes
- History of seizures
- Impairment of liver or kidney function
- Pheochromocytoma, a type of adrenal cancer
- Thyroid gland overactivity (hyperthyroidism)
- Vascular diseases such as Raynaud’s phenomenon and Prinzmetal angina
- Nicotine lozenges may contain phenylalanine and may not be suitable for people who have phenylketonuria, a condition with the inability to break down phenylalanine.

QUESTION
What is the average weight gain for those who quit smoking? See AnswerWhat are the side effects of nicotine lozenge?
Common side effects of nicotine lozenge include:
- Palpitations
- Irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia)
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Dizziness
- Increase in blood pressure
- Oral irritation
- Increased salivation
- Sore throat
- Hiccups
- Heartburn
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite (anorexia)
- Sleep disturbance
- Abnormal dreams
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Headache
- Cough
Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms or serious side effects while using this drug:
- Serious heart symptoms include fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness;
- Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
- Severe nervous system reaction with very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, and feeling like you might pass out; or
- Serious eye symptoms include blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights.
This is not a complete list of all side effects or adverse reactions that may occur from the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may also report side effects or health problems to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What are the dosages of nicotine lozenge?
Lozenge
- 2 mg
- 4 mg
Adult:
Smoking Cessation
- Weeks 1-6: 1 lozenge every 1-2 hours
- Weeks 7-9: 1 lozenge every 2-4 hours
- Weeks 10-12: 1 lozenge every 4-8 hours
- Do not exceed more than 5 lozenges/6 hours
- Do not exceed more than 20 lozenges/day
- First cigarette smoked more than 30 minutes after awakening: Initiate with 2 mg
- First cigarette smoked within 30 minutes of awakening: Initiate with 4 mg
Pediatric:
- Safety and efficacy not established
Overdose
- Nicotine lozenge overdose can cause symptoms that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sweating, flushing, dizziness, weakness, disturbed hearing and vision, confusion, palpitations, altered respiration, and low blood pressure.
- Nicotine overdose is treated with symptomatic and supportive care.
What drugs interact with nicotine lozenge?
Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor’s recommendation.
- Nicotine lozenge has no known severe or serious interactions with other drugs.
- Moderate interactions of nicotine lozenge include:
- adenosine
- methysergide
- varenicline
- Nicotine lozenge has no known mild interactions with other drugs.
The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.
It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Do not smoke tobacco if you are pregnant, smoking can cause low birth weight, spontaneous abortion, and increase the risk of mortality of the newborn.
- Nicotine replacement with lozenges is safer than smoking tobacco during pregnancy, however, avoiding nicotine altogether is the safest for maternal and fetal health. Try to stop smoking without any nicotine replacement if you are pregnant.
- Nicotine is present in breast milk and can harm the breastfed infant. Second-hand smoke exposure can greatly harm the infant. Stopping smoking without replacement nicotine is the safest for the breastfed infant’s health, however, nicotine lozenges are less harmful than smoking while breastfeeding.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your healthcare provider before using OTC nicotine lozenge to give up smoking.
What else should I know about nicotine lozenge?
- Follow label instructions exactly when taking OTC nicotine lozenge.
- Let the lozenge slowly dissolve in the mouth, do not bite, chew or swallow.
- Complete the full treatment. If you need to use the nicotine lozenge for a longer period to quit smoking, talk to your healthcare provider.
- Stop using nicotine lozenge and consult with your healthcare provider if you have persistent bothersome side effects.
- Store safely out of reach of children and pets.
- In case of accidental consumption by children or nicotine lozenge overdose, seek medical help or contact Poison Control.
Subscribe to MedicineNet's Men's Health Newsletter
By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time.
Summary
Nicotine lozenges are used as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help give up smoking tobacco. Common side effects of nicotine lozenge include palpitations, irregular heart rhythm (cardiac arrhythmia), rapid heart rate (tachycardia), dizziness, increase in blood pressure, oral irritation, increased salivation, sore throat, hiccups, heartburn, indigestion (dyspepsia), nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite (anorexia), sleep disturbance, abnormal dreams, and others. Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
-
Prescription Drug Abuse: Addiction, Health Risks, and Treatments
Learn how prescription drug and over-the-counter (OTC) drug abuse can endanger your health. Get the latest information on...
-
25 Effects of Smoking on Your Looks and Life
Cigarette smoking can affect your looks and moods. But did you know smoking also affects your heart, causes wrinkles, and...
-
How to Quit Smoking: 13 Tips to End Addiction
Quitting smoking is a great way to improve your health. Learn tips and techniques to quit smoking and kick the cigarette habit...
-
Sugar Addiction Facts: Cravings, Hidden Sugar, and More in Pictures
Learn about sugar addiction to see why we often crave sweets and binge on carbs. Learn how sugar affects the brain and get tips...
-
Smoking: See What Happens to Your Body When You Quit
You know that smoking is bad for your health. But did you know that your health starts to improve within a half hour of quitting?...
-
Smoking Quiz: How to Quit Smoking
You know it's time you quit smoking. Learn the myths and facts about quitting smoking with the Smoking Quiz. When it comes to...
-
Marijuana Addiction and Abuse
Cannabis use disorder is when you're addicted to marijuana. Learn more about this condition and how to treat it.
-
Smoking: How E-cigarettes and Vaping Affect Your Body
You may think that vaping and e-cigarettes are safer than tobacco use, but that doesn't mean they're without risk. Find out how...
-
How to Quit Smoking Without Weight Gain
When you quit smoking, weight gain is a concern. You can quit smoking without weight gain when you understand how your body works...
-
Mental Health: Substance Abuse in Older Adults
Abuse of alcohol and drugs among older people has been called the invisible epidemic. Learn what to look out for to protect...
-
Effects of Secondhand Smoke: Facts
The effects of secondhand smoke can be hazardous to your health. Secondhand smoke can lead to lung cancer, heart disease, and...
-
Strange Addictions: Sugar, Porn, Ice Cubes and More
Are you addicted? People aren’t only addicted to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Patterns of addiction can be found in less...
-
What Are 10 Reasons to Quit Smoking?
What to know about why you should quit smoking. Learn about the various health issues that smoking can cause, and the impact...
-
Mental Health: Celebrities Who Are Open About Addiction
Addiction affects people from all walks of life. See celebrities who’ve battled drug and alcohol use disorders and shared their...
Related Disease Conditions
-
Drug Abuse and Addiction
Drug abuse and addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though the initial decision to use drugs is voluntary, changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make the right decisions and increase the urge to take drugs. Drug abuse and addiction are preventable.
-
Can Doctors Tell if You Smoke From a Blood Test?
A nicotine test measures the level of nicotine or the chemicals cigarettes produce in the body. A lab examination called a nicotine test may help a doctor determine the nicotine content in a person's body.
-
Vaping: e-Cigarette and Marijuana Vape Risks
Vaping or e-cigarettes are smokable products that use refillable or replaceable cartridges or containers that contain a liquid composed of nicotine, chemical flavors, and other compounds. The cartridges used during vaping contains nicotine, therefore vaping is addictive. In low doses vaping, can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In higher doses, vaping can cause more serious side effects like popcorn lung, seizures, coma, cancer, and death. The FDA regulates the manufacturing, import, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, sale, and distribution of electronic delivery systems like e-cigarettes.
-
Hookahs vs. Cigarette Smoking (Addiction and Health Dangers)
A hookah is a water pipe that's used to smoke flavored tobacco like watermelon, licorice, coconut, chocolate, cherry, mint, apple, and cappuccino. The use of this type of tobacco smoking began in ancient India and Persia centuries ago. You can find hookah cafes all over the world, for example, the U.S., France, Russia, Britain, and the Middle East. New forms of electronic hookah are now available. Some people who smoke tobacco think that hookahs are less dangerous to their health because the smoke is filtered through water, but the smoke from hookahs contain the same cancer-causing chemicals that cigarette smoke does. Smoking tobacco via cigarettes or hookah are both dangerous to your health.
-
Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
-
Chewing Tobacco (Smokeless Tobacco, Snuff)
People absorb more nicotine into their systems by chewing tobacco (snuff or smokeless tobacco) than by smoking a cigarette. Chewing tobacco or snuff can cause cancers, poor oral health (gum disease and tooth decay), infertility, pregnancy complications, and nicotine addiction. Nicotine addiction can be overcome with available prescription drugs and other treatment programs.
-
Smoker's Lung: Pathology Photo Essay
Smoker's lung photo essay is a collection of pictures and microscopic slides of lung disease caused by cigarette smoking. Smoker's lung refers to the diseases and structural abnormalities in the lung caused by cigarette smoking.
-
Cocaine and Crack Addiction
Cocaine is an addictive stimulant that is smoked, snorted, and injected. Crack is cocaine that comes in a rock crystal that is heated to form vapors, which are then smoked. Cocaine has various effects on the body, including dilating pupils, constricting blood vessels, increasing body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
-
Sexual Addiction
The term sex addiction describes the behavior of someone who has an unusually strong sex drive or sexual obsession. Sex and thoughts of sex dominate a sex addict's thinking, making it difficult to work or engage in healthy personal relationships. Sex addicts may engage in exhibitionism, voyeurism, prostitution, compulsive masturbation, or cybersex. Treatment for sex addiction includes individual counseling, marital and/or family therapy, support groups, 12-step recovery programs, and in some cases, medications.
-
What Percentage of Smokers Get Lung Cancer?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lung cancer develops in around 10 to 20 percent of all smokers. Scientists believe that smoking is responsible for over 80 percent of lung cancers.
-
What Is the Difference Between Drug Abuse and Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is a broad term that includes drug abuse. Abuse of any substance can cause chemical changes in the brain that can lead to addiction.
-
Bath Salts
Ingredients of the drug bath salts include mephedrone, methylone, MDPV, or MDPK. Feeling high and sexually stimulated are symptoms of bath salt abuse. The primary goals for the treatment of addiction symptoms are abstinence, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation.
-
Does Tobacco Increase Stomach Acid?
Tobacco use, whether smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco, causes the stomach to make more acid, which increases the risk of acid reflux.
-
Can the Lungs Heal After Quitting Smoking?
Your lungs start to heal immediately after you quit smoking, which is why quitting as soon as possible is best for your health.
-
Gambling Addiction
Compulsive gambling is a disorder that affects millions in the U.S. Symptoms and signs include a preoccupation with gambling, lying to family or loved ones to hide gambling, committing crimes to finance gambling, and risking importance relationships and employment due to gambling. Treatment may incorporate participation in Gamblers' Anonymous, psychotherapy, and medications like carbamazepine, topiramate, lithium, naltrexone, antidepressants, clomipramine, and fluvoxamine.
-
What Are 11 Bad Things About Smoking?
Smoking is harmful to one’s health and may pose the following eleven negative side effects.
-
What Are the Effects of Secondhand Smoke?
Secondhand smoke can cause illness and disease in nonsmokers. Some of these conditions include lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, SIDS, bronchitis, and pneumonia. The best way to protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke exposure is to not allow anyone to smoke in the home and to avoid being around smoke when outside the home.
-
What Is the Most Effective Drug Addiction Treatment?
The most effective drug addiction therapies combine behavioral therapy and medications that are personalized to the patient's needs.
-
Smoking During Pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, low birth weight, premature birth and more. Secondhand smoke also increases your baby's risk of developing lung cancer, heart diseases, emphysema, asthma, allergies and SIDS.
-
What Can I Drink to Stop Smoking?
For most smokers and tobacco users, tobacco cravings are overpowering, making quitting difficult. Certain foods and drinks can help when trying to quit smoking, but this alone may not help you quit completely. Fresh juices and ginseng tea may help reduce tobacco cravings.
-
What Is the Difference Between Substance Abuse and Substance Dependence?
Substance abuse is the use of drugs or alcohol to the point where it causes problems in your life. Substance dependence (addiction) is when you are unable to quit using drugs or alcohol.
-
Smoking and Heart Disease
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease in women and men. Nicotine in cigarettes decrease oxygen to the heart, increases blood pressure, blood clots, and damages coronary arteries. Learn how to quit smoking today, to prolong your life.
-
Can You Smoke When You Have Lung Cancer?
Continuing to smoke after the diagnosis or during the treatment of lung cancer is usually not recommended because it may decrease the survival rate and even interfere with the treatment process.
-
How Is Substance-Induced Psychosis Treated?
Substance-induced psychosis is initially treated by cessation of the substance causing psychosis and the following treatment plans.
-
What Are the 4 Stages of Addiction?
The four stages of drug addiction are experimentation, regular use, dependency, and finally, addiction. Learn more about what happens during each stage.
-
Can Smoking Affect the Prostate?
Cigarette smoking has been associated with an increased risk of fatal prostate cancer, with heavy smokers at a 24%-30% greater risk of death from prostate cancer than nonsmokers.
-
Does Weight Gain Stop After Quitting Smoking?
People may generally gain some extra weight after they quit smoking. Gaining weight is considered to be a common side effect of smoking cessation. Usually, an individual may gain up to 10 pounds during the first few months.
-
Is ADHD Medication a Controlled Substance?
A majority of the medications commonly prescribed for ADHD are controlled substances regulated by the law. This means that the drugs used for ADHD treatment have a potential for abuse and could become addictive over time.
-
How Long Does Smoking Withdrawal Last?
After quitting smoking, many people find that withdrawal symptoms last for about 2-4 weeks, although they may last longer for some people.
-
What Happens After You Quit Smoking: A Timeline
Smoking is a harmful habit that can lead to severe health complications and death. Quitting smoking and overcoming tobacco cravings require determination, self-discipline, and support.
-
Why Is Smoking Bad for Females?
Smoking has adverse effects on female reproductive health, fertility, fetal development, and puts women at a higher risk of certain cancers.
-
Quit Smoking: 13 Ways to Resist Tobacco Cravings
For most tobacco users, tobacco cravings can be overpowering, but it is important not to succumb to these cravings. Although the cravings can feel intense and cause anxiety, they are temporary. With appropriate measures and a support system, with time, it is possible to permanently overcome the cravings and quit tobacco smoking or chewing.
-
Are Addiction and Substance Abuse Disorder the Same?
Addiction is a chronic disorder where the affected person seeks out drugs despite harmful consequences. Addiction is also associated with changes to your brain. It is a severe form of substance use disorder.
-
What Is Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse is defined as excessive use of any substance that has the potential for addiction.
-
What Makes a Drug Addiction Treatment Effective?
A combination of various drug addiction therapies works hand in hand to make treatment effective, which is often tailored to a patient’s specific requirements.
-
What Is the Best Advice for Quitting Smoking?
With proper planning and the right type of support, you can succeed in quitting smoking. Here are 14 tips that can help you kick the habit.
-
What Is Substance Use Disorder?
Substance use disorder (or drug addiction) is a psychiatric disorder in people. In the disorder, people uncontrollably use a substance (legal or illegal drugs or medications) despite harmful consequences.
-
How Does Smoking Affect Lung Cancer?
Tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of gaseous and particulate substances, and many of these are potential carcinogens. More than 4000 individual components have been identified in cigarette smoke. Some of these are carcinogens (substances that contribute to the development of cancer), such as benzene and nitrosamines.
-
Do People With Schizophrenia Have Higher Rates of Substance Abuse?
Schizophrenia is a major mental illness that causes you to interpret reality incorrectly. About 50% of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia exhibited signs of drug abuse or alcohol dependence.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Addiction: Do You Need Help? -- Drew Pinsky, MD
- Drug Addiction
- Quitting Tobacco: What Works and What Doesn't with Michael Fiore
- Gambling Addiction
- Substance Abuse: Alcohol Counseling
- Substance Abuse: Dealing with Substance Abuse
- Pain Management: Painkiller Addiction
- Addiction and the Family
- Addiction- Ask a Therapist: Facing Our Addictions
- Smoking FAQs
- Macular Degeneration and Smoking
- Smoking - Nicotine Spray Gets FDA Approval
- Smoking -Tobacco Regulation & The FDA
- Stop Smoking...Exercise!
- Cigar Smoking ... Heart & Lung Disease & Cancer
- Heart Disease & Stroke - Progress
- Cholesterol - Mr. D.T.'s Story of Hope
- Smoking: A New Risk - Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Smoking With Liver Disease - A No-No
- Secondhand Smoke How Deadly Is It?
- Teens Smoking Less Butt . . .
- Sensitive to Smoke, Lung Cancer Gene
- Scotland Leads Britain in Banning Smoking
- Smoking: Piecemeal & Patchwork Plans to Stop
- Caffeine Addiction, Can You Quit?
- 5 Causes of Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers
- Wildfires: Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke
- Heart Attack Prevention From a Doctor's Perspective
- Smoking Cessation: FREE Help
- Heroin Addiction and Predictors of Relapse
- Quit Smoking: A Novel Medication to Help Quit Smoking
- Emphysema from Crack Cocaine?
- Smoking: Does Smoking Protect the Brain? - No
- Should People With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Avoid Smoking?
- Can Acupuncture Help You Stop Smoking?
- Is Marijuana Worse for You than Cigarettes?
- Why Do Cigarettes Worsen Crohn's and Help UC?
- Can You Get Lung Cancer After Quitting Smoking?
- Secondhand Smoke May Lower Children's IQ
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
From 
Smoking Cessation Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
https://reference.medscape.com/drug/nicorette-lozenge-nicotine-lozenge-999318#0
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/nicotine-drug-information
https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/021330Orig1s016lbl.pdf
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00184
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493148/
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/poison/nicotine-poisoning