How should nicotine gum be used for best effectiveness?

Nicotine gum is designed to help individuals manage nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit smoking or reduce tobacco use. For optimal effectiveness, it is recommended to chew the gum until a strong taste is felt and then to park it between the gums and cheeks. This method allows the nicotine to be absorbed through the oral mucosa, which provides a steady release of nicotine into the bloodstream.

Chewing too rapidly can lead to a quick release of nicotine that may not be effectively absorbed, and it can also increase side effects like throat irritation or hiccups. Also, the guidelines recommend specific usage patterns, such as parking the gum, to help maximize the amount of nicotine that enters the system while minimizing the potential for side effects.

Ingesting the gum or swallowing it, as may happen if it is treated like normal chewing gum, defeats the purpose since nicotine is not effectively absorbed through the stomach. The guideline on how often to use nicotine gum is based on an individualized quitting plan, rather than a strictly limited twice-a-day schedule. Hence, the best practice for using nicotine gum effectively is to chew until a strong taste is consistent and then park it for absorption.