Niquitin CQ Mint Lozenge 4mg | smoking cessation-Hyperdrug

NIQUITIN LOZENGES NiQuitin Lozenges offer powerful relief and allow you to quickly tackle your toughest cravings, as and when they happen. They let you control when you get your nicotine. They’re easy to keep handy, discreet to use, and come in two flavours - original and mint. The strength of lozenge you use depends on when you have your first cigarette of the day. If you tend to light up within 30 minutes of waking up, you’ll need NiQuitin 4mg Lozenges. If you start more than 30 minutes after waking, you’ll need NiQuitin 2mg Lozenges. Then: For Step 1, you’ll probably need a lozenge every one to two hours, and at least 9 lozenges a day up to a maximum of 15. After six weeks you’ll be ready to move on to Step 2, and need one lozenge every two to four hours. Then after nine weeks, you should be down to one lozenge every four to eight hours. Following the step-down programme in this way will let you gradually wean yourself off nicotine so you can quit for good. If you’re not ready to give up smoking straightaway, you can also take NiQuitin Lozenges to help you cut down before stopping completely.

Product information leaflet:

http://emc.medicines.org.uk/medicine/21636/SPC/NiQuitin 4 mg Mint Lozenges / NiQuitin Pre-Quit 4 mg Mint Lozenges/

Each lozenge contains 4 mg nicotine (as 22.2 mg nicotine polacrilex). Lozenge. White, round lozenge with convex surfaces, debossed NL4S on one side. NiQuitin Mint Lozenges are indicated for the relief of nicotine withdrawal symptoms including cravings. Permanent cessation of tobacco use is the eventual objective. NiQuitin Mint Lozenges can be used: • for smoking cessation (abrupt and gradual). • as an aid for smokers during temporary abstinence. NiQuitin Mint Lozenges should preferably be used in conjunction with a behavioural support programme.

Directions for use: NiQuitin 4 mg Mint Lozenges are suitable for smokers who have their first cigarette of the day within 30 minutes of waking up. One lozenge should be placed in the mouth and allowed to dissolve. Periodically, the lozenge should be moved from one side of the mouth to the other, and repeated, until the lozenge is completely dissolved (approximately 20 – 30 minutes). The lozenge should not be chewed or swallowed whole. Users should not eat or drink while a lozenge is in the mouth. Behavioural therapy, advice & support will normally improve the success rate. Adults (18 years and over): Abrupt cessation of smoking: Users should make every effort to stop smoking completely during treatment with NiQuitin Mint Lozenges. Recommended treatment schedule:

Step 1

Weeks 1 to 6

Step 2

Weeks 7 to 9

Step 3 Weeks 10 to 12

Initial treatment period

Step down treatment period

1 lozenge every 1 to 2 hours

1 lozenge every 2 to 4 hours

1 lozenge every 4 to 8 hours

During weeks 1 to 6 it is recommended that users take a minimum of 9 lozenges per day. Users should not exceed 15 lozenges per day. To help stay smoke free beyond 12 weeks, users may take 1-2 lozenges per day only on occasions when they are strongly tempted to smoke. Those who use the lozenges beyond 9 months are recommended to seek additional help and advice from a healthcare professional. Gradual cessation of smoking: For smokers who are unwilling or unable to quit abruptly. Use a lozenge whenever there is a strong urge to smoke in order to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked as far as possible and to refrain from smoking as long as possible. The number of lozenges a day is variable and depends on the patients needs. Nonetheless it should not exceed 15 lozenges per day. If a reduction in cigarette consumption has not been achieved after 6 weeks of treatment, a healthcare professional should be consulted. Reduced tobacco consumption should lead to complete cessation of smoking. This should be attempted as soon as possible. When the number of cigarettes has been reduced to a level from which the user feels able to quit completely, then start on the schedule for “abrupt cessation” as given above. If an attempt to stop smoking completely has not been started within 6 months after the beginning of treatment, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional. Temporary abstinence: Use a lozenge every 1-2 hours to control troublesome withdrawal symptoms including cravings. Users should not take more than 15 lozenges per day. Users should be encouraged to stop smoking completely as soon as possible. If users are still feeling the need to use lozenges on a regular basis 6 months after the start of treatment and have still been unable to undertake a permanent quit attempt, then it is recommended to seek additional help and advice from a healthcare professional. Adolescents and children: Adolescents (12-17 years) should follow the schedule of treatment for abrupt cessation of smoking as given above but, as data are limited, duration of NRT in this age group is restricted to 12 weeks. If longer treatment is required, or where adolescents are unwilling or unable to quit smoking abruptly, advice from a healthcare professional should be sought. NiQuitin Mint Lozenges are not recommended for use in children under 12 years of age.

The risks associated with the use of NRT are substantially outweighed in virtually all circumstances by the well established dangers of continued smoking. Patients hospitalised for MI, severe dysrhythmia or CVA who are considered to be haemodynamically unstable should be encouraged to stop smoking with non-pharmacological interventions. If this fails, NiQuitin Mint Lozenges may be considered, but as data on safety in this patient group are limited, initiation should only be under medical supervision. Once patients are discharged from hospital they can use NRT as normal. Diabetes Mellitus: Patients with diabetes mellitus should be advised to monitor their blood sugar levels more closely than usual when NRT is initiated as catecholamines released by nicotine can affect carbohydrate metabolism. Allergic reactions: Susceptibility to angioedema and urticaria A risk-benefit assessment should be made by an appropriate healthcare professional for patients with the following conditions: •Renal and hepatic impairment: Use with caution in patients with moderate to severe hepatic impairment and/or severe renal impairment as the clearance of nicotine or its metabolites may be decreased with the potential for increased adverse effects. •Phaeochromocytoma and uncontrolled hyperthyroidism: Use with caution in patients with uncontrolled hyperthyroidism or phaeochromocytoma as nicotine causes release of catecholamines. •GI disease: Swallowed nicotine may exacerbate symptoms in patients suffering from oesophagitis, gastric or peptic ulcers and oral NRT preparations should be used with caution in these conditions. Ulcerative stomatitis has been reported. Danger in small children: Doses of nicotine tolerated by adult and adolescent smokers can produce severe toxicity in small children that may be fatal. Products containing nicotine should not be left where they may be misused, handled or ingested by children. Stopping smoking: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in tobacco smoke induce the metabolism of drugs catalysed by CYP 1A2 (and possibly by CYP 1A1). When a smoker stops this may result in a slower metabolism and a consequent rise in blood levels of such drugs. Transferred dependence: Transferred dependence is rare and is both less harmful and easier to break than smoking dependence. Phenylketonuria: NiQuitin Mint Lozenges contain a source of phenylalanine equivalent to 3mg/dose. May be harmful for people with phenylketonuria. Sodium content: Each NiQuitin Mint Lozenge contains 15 mg of sodium. People on a low sodium diet should take this into account.

Niquitin CQ Mint Lozenge 4mg (pack of 72)