Nicotrol NS (Nicotine Nasal Spray) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Nicotrol NS

Weight Control and Smoking Cessation »

Will I gain weight if I stop smoking?

Not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking. Among people who do, the average weight gain is between 6 and 8 pounds. Roughly 10 percent of people who stop smoking gain a large amount of weight - 30 pounds or more.

What causes weight gain after quitting?

When smokers quit, they may gain weight for a number of reasons. These include:

Feeling hungry. Quitting smoking may make a person feel hungrier and eat more than usual, but this feeling usually goes away after several weeks.
Having more snacks and alcoholic drinks. Some people eat more high-fat, high-sugar snacks and drink more alcoholic beverages after they quit smoking.
Burning calories at a normal rate again. Every cigarette you smoke makes your body burn calories faster, but is also harmful to your heart. Once you quit, you are no longer getting this temporary effect. Inst...

Read the Weight Control and Smoking Cessation article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next »

Nicotrol NS

View How Smoking Affects Your Looks and Life Slideshow Pictures

How Smoking Affects Your Looks & Life Slideshow

Tips to Quit Smoking Slideshow

Take the Quiz on Smoking

font size

PATIENT INFORMATION

Nicotrol® NS
(nicotine nasal spray)
An Aid To Help You Stop Smoking

Read and follow carefully. If you have questions or want more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION –Read Carefully

NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) Nasal Spray is designed to help you quit smoking by reducing your urge to smoke. What causes the urge to smoke? It is the nicotine in cigarettes. NICOTROL® NS contains nicotine. Your doctor may increase or decrease dosage during the first few weeks. As your body adjusts to not smoking, your doctor will either tell you to stop using NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) or gradually reduce your dose.

People who use NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) with a comprehensive behavioral smoking cessation program are more successful in quitting smoking. This program can include support groups, counseling or specific behavior change techniques.

Side Effects—During the first week or so most people experience the following side effects: hot, peppery feeling in back of throat or nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or runny nose. Wait 5 minutes before driving. Be sure to use regularly for the first week to help adjust to the side effects.
Because nicotine is addictive, it is possible to become dependent on the Nasal Spray. It is important to use the Nasal Spray only for as long as needed to overcome your smoking habit (as directed by your doctor). Your chance of becoming dependent on the Nasal Spray increases if you use it longer than 6 months.

Warnings – Read before using NICOTRO® NS

1. Commit yourself—NO SMOKING! For NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) to help, you must be firmly committed to quitting! Stop smoking as soon as you start using NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) . Do not smoke or use any other tobacco product at any time while under treatment with NICOTROL®NS—nicotine overdose can occur. If symptoms of overdose occur, call a doctor or Poison Control Center.

Nicotine overdose symptoms include:

bad headaches
dizziness
upset stomach

drooling
vomiting
diarrhea

cold sweat
blurred vision
hearing difficulties

mental confusion
weakness and fainting

2. Keep out of reach of children and pets. NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) can cause serious illness in children and pets—even in very small amounts. If a child uses or handles NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) , call a doctor or Poison Control Center. When the bottle is empty, replace cap and throw away out of reach of children and pets. Even empty bottles contain enough nicotine to seriously harm children and pets.

Keep out of reach of children and pets - Illustration

3. Tell your doctor if you have:

chronic nasal problems such as nasal allergies, inflammation, sinusitis or nasal polyps (growths)
heart problems (recent heart attack, irregular heartbeat, severe or worsening heart pain)
high blood pressure

drug allergies
stomach ulcers
wheezing or asthma
overactive thyroid
diabetes requiring insulin
kidney or liver disease

Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking—the dosages may need to be changed. Check with your doctor before taking any new medicine while using NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) .

Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking - Illustration

4. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, only use this medicine on the advice of your health care provider. Smoking can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using any nicotine replacement medicine. This medicine is believed to be safer than smoking. However, the risks to your child from this medicine are not fully known.

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

BEFORE YOU USE—Read information on both sides

Follow Dosage

What to Expect (First Week)

Use as directed by doctor.
But do not use more than 5 times an hour or 40 times in 24 hours.
Stop smoking completely during NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) treatment program.

Hot, peppery feeling in back of throat or nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or runny nose.
To Help Adjust to Spray—use regularly for first week.
Side effects will lessen for most people in a few days—don't stop using the Nasal Spray. If side effects do not lessen after a week, call your doctor.

Remove Cap

Prime Pump (before first use)

Press in circles on sides of bottle.
Pull off cap as shown.

Get a tissue or paper towel.
Hold bottle as shown.
Press up on bottom with thumb.
Pump into tissue until you see a fine spray (6 to 8 times).
Throw tissue away.

Follow Directions Exactly –Questions? (call 1-888-642-6876)

Blow nose if it is not clear.
Tilt head back slightly.
Hold bottle as shown.

Insert tip of bottle into nostril—as far as is comfortable.
Breathe through mouth.
Spray once in each nostril. Do not sniff or inhale while spraying.
If nose runs, gently sniff to keep the Nasal Spray in nose. Wait 2 or 3 minutes before blowing nose.

AVOID contact with skin, eyes, and mouth. If bottle breaks, wear rubber gloves, wipe up with paper towel and wash surfaces thoroughly. Do not let nicotine come in contact with your skin, mouth, or eyes. If it does, rinse with plain water immediately. Nicotine overdose can occur when nicotine is absorbed through the skin. If symptoms of overdose occur (see other side for symptoms), call a doctor or Poison Control Center.

Place cap back on bottle after use.
Store at room temperature (below 86°F) out of reach of children.
If you don't use the Nasal Spray for 24 hours, prime pump in tissue 1 or 2 times.
Most vials of NICOTROL® NS (nicotine nasal spray) contain 100 doses (200 sprays), but excessive priming will reduce the amount of medicine available for use. Avoid excessive priming.

Last reviewed on RxList: 3/10/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.