[1] It is a type of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) used alone or in combination with other pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation and for quitting smokeless tobacco.
Common side effects include mouth irritation or ulcers, jaw pain, and hiccups.
[3] Nicotine gum and other NRT products are on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.
This procedure repeats, occasionally changing where the gum is parked in the mouth, until the tingle can no longer be felt, usually about 30 minutes after starting.
In addition, behavioral interventions such as in-person counseling, telehealth services, and self-help programs have been shown to further improve tobacco cessation rates.
Oral mucosal irritation or ulcers can occur if the gum is repeatedly "parked" in the same location in the mouth.
Similarly, excess nicotine swallowed with saliva may cause sore throat due to esophageal irritation, or gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
[3] Hiccups may occur due to nicotine's vasodilatory effects on blood vessels in skeletal muscle.
[6][9] As an activator of the sympathetic nervous system, nicotine can cause light-headedness or dizziness, headache, and increased saliva production.
[10] In addition to following chewing instructions, the dose of nicotine gum can be adjusted for individuals experiencing side effects.
[2] However, nicotine gum may exacerbate poor dentition and may not be compatible with dental appliances such as dentures, bridges, and crowns.
The frequent chewing associated with nicotine gum use can also worsen temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
[10][3] Nicotine from cigarettes is known to increase blood sugar levels and promote insulin resistance in type 2 diabetics.