Nicotrol Inhaler, Nicotrol Ns

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on August 25, 2023

Nicotrol is a brand-name medication prescribed for smoking cessation in adults. Nicotrol belongs to a group of drugs called nicotine replacement products.

This article doesn’t provide coupons for all forms of Nicotrol. To find coupons for Nicotrol nasal spray, see this article.

Side effects of Nicotrol

Nicotrol may cause mild or serious side effects. More common mild side effects of Nicotrol and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about Nicotrol’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Nicotrol listed in the “Resources” section.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with some forms of Nicotrol are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of Nicotrol you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. To learn more about Nicotrol’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for Nicotrol listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects bother you, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Nicotrol inhaler’s mild side effects include:

• a cough
• indigestion (upset stomach)
• mouth or throat irritation
• taste changes
• mild allergic reaction*

Nicotrol nasal spray’s mild side effects include:

• nose or throat irritation
• runny nose
• sneezing
• watery eyes
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Nicotrol” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of Nicotrol are listed below. These side effects may differ based on the form of Nicotrol you use.

This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug. To learn more about Nicotrol’s side effects based on the form, refer to the prescribing information for Nicotrol listed in the “Resources” section.

With many drugs, serious side effects are possible but not common. If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, Nicotrol’s serious side effects include:

• fast heart rate
• severe nasal irritation
• severe allergic reaction†

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for Nicotrol” section.

Common questions about Nicotrol

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about Nicotrol.

How many puffs are in a Nicotrol inhaler?

There’s no set number of puffs in a Nicotrol inhaler. Instead, there’s enough nicotine in each cartridge to last about 20 minutes. You can puff constantly on it for 20 minutes or break it up into smaller sessions. For example, you could puff on it for 5 minutes at four different times. This allows people to try different strategies to help manage cravings.

To learn more about using a Nicotrol inhaler, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Is Nicotrol available over the counter?

No, both the Nicotrol inhaler and Nicotrol nasal spray are only available by prescription. But other forms of nicotine replacement therapy are available over the counter (OTC). This includes nicotine patches, lozenges, and gum.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out more about OTC nicotine replacement products.

How does Nicotrol work? And how long does it take to start working?

Nicotrol works by giving your body nicotine in a form other than cigarettes. This helps relieve the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal when you quit smoking. Replacing nicotine in this way can help reduce the urge to smoke.

Nicotrol will start working right away to relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

If you’d like to know more about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Uses of Nicotrol

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as Nicotrol for certain conditions. Approved uses for Nicotrol are described below.

Use for relief of symptoms of smoking cessation

Doctors may prescribe Nicotrol inhaler and nasal spray for treating nicotine withdrawal symptoms when you stop smoking. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a short-term treatment.

With smoking cessation, you may have nicotine withdrawal. Symptoms include:

• anxiety
• craving nicotine or smoking
• headache
• increased appetite and weight gain
• irritability and other mood changes
• nervousness or restlessness
• sleep problems
• trouble concentrating

Nicotrol can help relieve these symptoms and reduce the urge to smoke.

Nicotrol is prescribed as part of a complete smoking cessation program. It should be used together with behavioral change techniques and counseling.

Doctors may not prescribe Nicotrol inhaler or nasal spray in certain situations, such as for people with certain heart problems. This includes serious heart rhythm problems, severe or worsening angina (chest pain), or a recent heart attack.

Interactions and warnings for Nicotrol

Below, you’ll find information about Nicotrol’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of Nicotrol

Certain things may affect how a drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you use Nicotrol, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription or over-the-counter drugs
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for Nicotrol” section below.

Warnings for Nicotrol

Some people should not use Nicotrol, and others should use it cautiously.

Nicotrol could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether Nicotrol is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for Nicotrol, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Nicotrol can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Nicotrol or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Nicotrol. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to Nicotrol, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Overdose of Nicotrol

You should not use more Nicotrol than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve used too much Nicotrol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and Nicotrol

Information about Nicotrol and pregnancy and breastfeeding is described below.

Nicotrol and pregnancy

There are risks to using Nicotrol during pregnancy. But there are also risks with smoking while pregnant. (Keep in mind that Nicotrol is used for smoking cessation.) You may first wish to try to quit smoking without medication (for example, using education or counseling). If these methods are unsuccessful, you may feel you need medication to help you quit smoking.

If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor about smoking cessation options during pregnancy. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should use Nicotrol during pregnancy.

Nicotrol and breastfeeding

There are risks to using Nicotrol while breastfeeding. But there are also risks with smoking during this time. (Keep in mind that Nicotrol is used for smoking cessation.)

If you’re planning to breastfeed, talk with your doctor about smoking cessation options. Together, you can discuss the risks and benefits of your treatment options and decide whether or not you should use Nicotrol during this time. Your doctor may recommend other healthy ways to feed your child.

What to ask your doctor

Let your doctor know if you have questions about Nicotrol or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How does Nicotrol compare to other nicotine replacement products?
• How should I use Nicotrol?
• Am I at higher risk of side effects than other people?
• How long is it safe to use Nicotrol?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Nicotrol inhaler (nicotine inhalation system). (2019). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/020714s018lbl.pdf
• Nicotrol NS (nicotine nasal spray). (2019). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/020385s011lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.