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MEDICATION guide
Nicotine Replacement Therapy
Specifics on the Nicotine Lozenge
Dosing:
- One lozenge is one dose; the strength of the lozenge is determined by 'Time to First Cigarette'
(TTFC). If you typically smoked your first cigarette within 30 minutes of awakening, you should
use the 4mg lozenge; more than 30 minutes to the first smoke indicates the 2mg lozenge.
- One lozenge every 1-2 hours for the first six weeks; one lozenge every 2-4 hours during
weeks 7-9; one lozenge every 4-8 hours during the final weeks 10-12.
- The minimum recommended dose is 9 lozenges per day for the first 6 weeks; maximum dosage
should not exceed 5 lozenges within six hours, or 20 lozenges per day.
Product Strengths:
The nicotine in the lozenge is either 2mg or 4mg in strength.
Manufacturer's Recommended Treatment Duration:
The manufacturer recommends treatment for 12 weeks.
Adverse Reactions:
Some lozenge users experience soreness in the gums and teeth, irritated throat tissue, hiccups and
heartburn/indigestion. These symptoms usually become more tolerable over time. As with all NRT's,
check with your doctor if you take prescription medicine for depression, asthma or thyroid
conditions; your prescription dose may need to be adjusted.
Cost:
The average retail price for nicotine lozenge is approximately $6/day for average usage (12 doses)
and up to $12/day for maximum usage (20 doses) during the first six weeks of use.
Content author:
Alan S. Peters, CTTS-M
Reviewed by:
Andy Perez, MD, MBA, FACEP, February 2009
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