What is nicotine?

Nicotine is the primary ingredient in tobacco products.

Nicotine in medical products is used to aid in smoking cessation. Using a controlled amount of nicotine helps reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms when you quit smoking.

Nicotine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Nicotine inhalation system

If you have been taking certain medications regularly, decrease, their effects may increase, or change when you stop smoking. It is especially important to check with your doctor if you have been taking the following drugs:

Antidepressants such as Theo-24, Anafranil
Elavil
Norpramin
Pamelor
Sinequan, and Tofranil
Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-bid)

Before using Nicotine Inhaler:

Some medical conditions may interact with Nicotine Inhaler. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you have allergies to medicines, an irregular heartbeat, a history of heart attack, high blood pressure, breathing problems (eg, asthma), an overactive thyroid, an ulcer, a tumor on your adrenal gland, diabetes, kidney or liver problems, or are breast-feeding
• if you have chest pain, planning to become pregnant

  Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Nicotine Inhaler. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines.

  • Asthma medicines (eg, theophylline) or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the side effects of Nicotine Inhaler may be increased

  This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Nicotine Inhaler may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

  Special warnings about Nicotine inhalation system

  Nicotine from any source can be toxic and addictive, and you can become dependent on the Nicotrol Inhaler. To minimize this risk, it's important to gradually cut back on use of the inhaler after the first 3 months. Its use for more than 6 months is not recommended.

  Do not smoke while using the inhaler. The added nicotine will increase your risk of developing nicotine toxicity.

  Nicotrol Inhaler may not be your best quit-smoking option if you have angina, heartbeat irregularities, Raynaud's phenomenon (periodic loss of circulation in the fingers), Buerger's disease (a dangerous decline in circulation in the hands and feet) or a history of heart attack. If you develop an irregular heartbeat or palpitations, stop using the product and call your doctor immediately.

  Nicotrol Inhaler should also be used with caution if you have a respiratory disease, severe high blood pressure, an ulcer, insulin-dependent diabetes, pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumors), an overactive thyroid, or advanced kidney disease.

  The nicotine in Nicotrol cartridges can be fatal if inhaled or swallowed by children or pets. Keep used and unused cartridges in a safe place.

  Possible side effects of Nicotine Inhaler:

  All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

  Anxiety; runny nose; pain in the jaw and neck; nausea; muscle aches; mouth or throat irritation; indigestion; hiccups; headache; flu-like symptoms; diarrhea; coughing; taste changes.

  Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

  Severe allergic reactions (rash; severe dizziness or headache; pounding in the chest; irregular or fast heartbeat; fever; depression; chest pain; abnormal skin sensations; swelling of the mouth, lips, face, or tongue); tightness in the chest; difficulty breathing; hives; shortness of breath.

  This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch .