Nicotine lozenge

NICORETTE

Open Nicotine lozenge in the interactive console ↗

Pronunciation: NIK-oe-teen

Nicotine lozenge ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Nicotine lozenge ballicule

Nicotine lozenge NICORETTE mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Nicotine lozenge mascot

What it isBuccal nicotinic-receptor agonist replacement; smoking cessation.

Why this onePortable and patient-controlled for breakthrough cravings, it dissolves slowly over ~20-30 min and avoids the chewing technique required by gum.

What limits itInstructions — dose by time-to-first-cigarette; no chewing or swallowing, and no food or drink 15 min before. Hiccups, nausea, and mouth irritation follow swallowed saliva.

Nicotine lozenge molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Nicotine lozenge

FDA-approved for

smoking cessation (2002)

FDA label

Read the full label on DailyMed ↗

FDA dosing	Population	Start	Target	Max
Smoking cessation — reduces withdrawal symptoms incl. nicotine craving (OTC)	2 mg lozenge: first cigarette >30 min after waking; adults (<18 y: ask a doctor)	Weeks 1–6: 1 lozenge q1–2h (use ≥9 lozenges/day)	Weeks 7–9: 1 lozenge q2–4h → Weeks 10–12: 1 lozenge q4–8h; stop at 12 wks	5 lozenges per 6 h; 20 lozenges/day; one at a time
Smoking cessation — reduces withdrawal symptoms incl. nicotine craving (OTC)	4 mg lozenge: first cigarette within 30 min of waking; adults (<18 y: ask a doctor)	Weeks 1–6: 1 lozenge q1–2h (use ≥9 lozenges/day)	Weeks 7–9: 1 lozenge q2–4h → Weeks 10–12: 1 lozenge q4–8h; stop at 12 wks	5 lozenges per 6 h; 20 lozenges/day; one at a time

Titration Fixed 12-week step-down by interval: q1–2h (wk 1–6) → q2–4h (wk 7–9) → q4–8h (wk 10–12); no dose titration beyond 2 mg vs 4 mg selection

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Undefined

Strength selection by time-to-first-cigarette: ≤30 min after waking → 4 mg; >30 min → 2 mg. Under 18: no studies show the product will work

Instructions

Begin on quit day; read enclosed User's Guide first
Place in mouth and let dissolve slowly; minimize swallowing; do not chew or swallow the lozenge
Warm or tingling sensation is expected; occasionally move lozenge from one side of mouth to the other until fully dissolved
No food or drink 15 min before use or while lozenge is in mouth
Use at least 9 lozenges/day for the first 6 weeks to improve odds of quitting
Do not use more than one lozenge at a time or one after another continuously (hiccups, heartburn, nausea)
Do not exceed 5 lozenges in 6 hours or 20 lozenges/day
Complete the full 12 weeks; talk to a health care provider if longer use is needed
If removed, wrap in paper and discard in trash (enough nicotine to harm children/pets)

Available strengths

lozenge 2, 4 mg

Cautions

Ask a doctor before use if: heart disease, recent heart attack, or irregular heartbeat (nicotine raises heart rate); high blood pressure not controlled with medication (nicotine raises BP); stomach ulcer or diabetes; history of seizures
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if using a non-nicotine stop-smoking drug, or taking prescription medicine for depression or asthma (dose may need adjustment)
Stop use and ask a doctor if: mouth problems; persistent indigestion or severe sore throat; irregular heartbeat or palpitations; nicotine-overdose symptoms (nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, weakness, rapid heartbeat); allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, rash)
Keep out of reach of children and pets; overdose → medical help or Poison Control
Under 18 years: ask a doctor before use

Adverse reactions

Mouth problems
Persistent indigestion or severe sore throat
Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
Hiccups, heartburn, nausea (with more than one at a time or continuous use)
Nicotine-overdose symptoms: nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, weakness, rapid heartbeat
Allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, rash)

Pregnancy Use only on advice of a health care provider; believed safer than smoking but risks to the child not fully known — try to quit without NRT first

Lactation Use only on advice of a health care provider (same OTC pregnancy/breast-feeding statement)