Nicotine Gum

Research shows that when used appropriately, nicotine replacement therapy can triple your chance of conquering an addiction to cigarettes. But, as with all attempts to "beat the butts," a strong commitment to stop is the key to real success. While nicotine gum, by itself, may not guarantee your success at stopping smoking, it sure helps.

Let your doctor know you want to stop smoking, and that you'd like to try nicotine gum. Her or she can offer advice and help you find a counselor or support group. (Joining a stop-smoking program improves your chances of succeeding.) The gum helps you wean yourself from nicotine addiction: First you replace cigarettes with the gum; then you gradually cut back on gum use until you're nicotine-free.

How to choose a Nicotine Gum

Nicotine, of course, is the gum's active ingredient. Other ingredients include gum base and flavoring. Both mint and cherry flavors are available.

Nicotine gum is sold over the counter, without a prescription. Nicorette is the only brand name on the market, although you can buy generic products sold under the name "nicotine polacrilex." The gum comes in two dosages: 2 and 4 milligrams. The higher dosage is for people who smoke more than 24 cigarettes a day.

You can buy your first batch of nicotine gum as part of a starter kit, which includes printed instructions and advice for using the gum and for finding a stop-smoking support program. When it's time for more, you can buy a gum-only refill box. Compared to nicotine patches, the gum gives you more control over your nicotine dose, and allows you to taper it off a little more gradually.

How to use Nicotine Gum

The gum works by slowly releasing small doses of nicotine into your bloodstream through the mucous membranes in your mouth. This calms your cravings without exposing you to the other harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke, like tar or benzene. On average, about 90 percent of the nicotine in the gum is released in the first 20 to 30 minutes of use. For maximum effectiveness, use the gum as follows:

Put a piece of gum in your mouth and chew it for a few minutes.
Stop chewing as soon as you feel a tingling sensation in your mouth, or can actually taste nicotine.
"Park" the gum inside your cheek, toward the front of your mouth.
Once the tingling sensation subsides, chew some more until it returns.
Repeat this process, each time parking the gum at a different spot in your mouth.
Keep chewing and parking for 30 minutes, or until only the mint or cherry taste remains.

Finally, remember to use the gum on a regular schedule. For the first six weeks, you'll need at least nine pieces a day—or as much as one piece per waking hour. Over the following six weeks, taper off according to your doctor's advice. Be patient, and talk to your doctor again if you think you need more time after 12 weeks. Use of the gum, along with behavior-change programs, has shown an 18 percent success rate. However, without counseling and/or a doctor's help, success rates may be lower.