Nicotrol (Nicotine Inhalation System) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 9, 2012

Nicotrol

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What problems are caused by smoking?

By smoking, you can cause health problems not only for yourself but also for those around you.

Hurting Yourself

Smoking is an addiction. Tobacco contains nicotine, a drug that is addictive. The nicotine, therefore, makes it very difficult (although not impossible) to quit. In fact, since the U.S. Surgeon General's 1964 report on the dangers of smoking, millions of Americans have quit. Still, approximately 440,000 deaths occur in the U.S. each year from smoking-related illnesses; this represents almost 1 out of every 5 deaths. The reason for these deaths is that smoking greatly increases the risk of getting lung cancer, heart attack, chronic lung disease, stroke, and many other cancers. Moreover, smoking is perhaps the most preventable cause of breathing (respiratory) diseases within the USA.

Hurting Others

Smoking harms not just the smoker, but also family mem...

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Nicotrol

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NICOTROL®
(nicotine) Inhalant

DRUG DESCRIPTION

NICOTROL® Inhaler (nicotine inhalation system) consists of a mouthpiece and a plastic cartridge delivering 4 mg of nicotine from a porous plug containing 10 mg nicotine. The cartridge is inserted into the mouthpiece prior to use. Nicotine is a tertiary amine composed of a pyridine and a pyrrolidine ring. It is a colorless to pale yellow, freely water-soluble, strongly alkaline, oily, volatile, hygroscopic liquid obtained from the tobacco plant. Nicotine has a characteristic pungent odor and turns brown on exposure to air or light. Of its two stereoisomers, S(-)nicotine is the more active. It is the prevalent form in tobacco, and is the form in the NICOTROL (nicotine inhalation system) Inhaler. The free alkaloid is absorbed rapidly through skin, mucous membranes, and the respiratory tract.

Chemical Name: S-3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl) pyridine
Molecular Formula: C₁₀H₁₄N₂
Molecular Weight: 162.23
Ionization Constants: pKa₁ = 7.84, pKa₂ = 3.04 at 15°C
Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient: 15:1 at pH 7

NICOTROL - nicotine Structural Formula Illustration

Nicotine is the active ingredient; inactive components of the product are menthol and a porous plug which are pharmacologically inactive. Nicotine is released when air is inhaled through the Inhaler.

What are the possible side effects of nicotine?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using nicotine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

seizures; or
chest pain or uneven heartbeats.

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness;
belching or hiccups;
stomach upset or nausea;
mouth or throat soreness;
dry or watering...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Nicotrol »

What are the precautions when taking nicotine inhalation system (Nicotrol)?

Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as menthol), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: uncontrolled/worsening chest pain, recent heart attack, irregular heartbeat (serious arrhythmias).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood vessel disease (e.g., Raynaud's disease, stroke), breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema), diabetes, heart disease (e.g., chest pain, heart...

Read All Potential Precautions of Nicotrol »

Last reviewed on RxList: 3/18/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.