NICORETTE FRESHMINT 2 mg and 4 mg medicated chewing gum – help to stop smoking

Nicorette® freshmint medicated chewing gum is a stop-smoking medicine containing nicotine (as nicotine resinate) and belongs to the group of nicotine replacement therapies. When chewed, nicotine is gradually released and absorbed through the lining of the mouth, which relieves the urge to smoke and withdrawal symptoms when stopping or reducing smoking.

Two strengths are registered in Serbia – 2 mg and 4 mg nicotine per gum – in packs of 30 gums (2 blisters of 15). The strength is chosen according to the number of cigarettes smoked and the degree of dependence. The medicine is available without a prescription. Unlike cigarettes, the gums contain no tar or carbon monoxide.

What is Nicorette freshmint chewing gum used for and how should it be chewed correctly?

Key facts about the medicine

What is Nicorette freshmint used for?

According to the patient leaflet, Nicorette freshmint is used to help people stop smoking:

• to relieve nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms in people who are quitting
• to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked in people who cannot or do not want to stop immediately, as a step towards stopping completely
• in combination with a stop-smoking programme, as advice and support increase the chance of success

The 2 mg gums are intended for people who smoke 20 or fewer cigarettes a day, and the 4 mg gums for people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes a day or for whom the 2 mg strength was previously not sufficient.

How is it used and dosed?

Correct technique is important: chew the gum slowly with pauses – when the taste becomes strong, stop chewing and place the gum between the cheek and gum, then resume after a short pause. Chewing too fast may cause heartburn or hiccups. The effect starts after a few minutes.

• Stopping smoking: use for at least 3 months, then gradually reduce the number of gums; stop when down to 1–2 gums a day. Regular use for more than one year is generally not recommended.
• Reducing smoking: use the gums between cigarettes to extend smoke-free intervals; if no reduction is achieved within 6 weeks, seek medical advice. Attempt to stop as soon as you feel ready, but no later than 6 months after starting; if a serious attempt is not possible within 9 months, consult a doctor.
• Combination therapy (2 mg only): in heavy dependence, 8 weeks of a 15 mg/16 h patch daily plus 5–6 gums of 2 mg as needed (maximum 15); then either 4 weeks of a 10 mg/16 h patch with gums, or stop the patch, gradually reducing the number of gums over up to 12 months. Read the patch leaflet before combination therapy.
• Food and drink: do not eat or drink while chewing; avoid coffee, orange juice and other acidic drinks for at least 15 minutes before chewing, as they reduce nicotine absorption.

Special patient groups

• Children under 12 years: must not be used.
• Adolescents aged 12 to 17: only on a doctor’s recommendation.
• People with moderate or severe liver disease or severe kidney disease: consult a doctor before use.
• People with diabetes: check blood sugar more often at the start of treatment, as the dose of insulin or other medicines may need adjusting.

Contraindications – when the medicine must not be used

• hypersensitivity to nicotine or any ingredient of the medicine
• children under 12 years
• non-smokers

Precautions and warnings

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have:

• had a heart attack or stroke in the last 3 months, unstable angina or angina at rest
• heart disease affecting heart rhythm, or high blood pressure that is not well controlled
• moderate or severe liver disease, severe kidney disease
• diabetes, an overactive thyroid or phaeochromocytoma
• a stomach or duodenal ulcer, inflammation of the oesophagus
• a history of epilepsy or seizures

Continuing to smoke is still far more dangerous than using the medicated gum. The gum may stick to dentures and dental bridges and occasionally damage them. The medicine contains xylitol (may have a laxative effect) and butylated hydroxytoluene (E321), which may cause local skin reactions or irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes.

Interactions with other medicines, alcohol and food

Stopping smoking may change the effect of certain medicines. Tell your doctor or pharmacist especially if you take medicines containing theophylline (asthma), tacrine (Alzheimer’s disease), clozapine (schizophrenia) or ropinirole (Parkinson’s disease). Acidic drinks (coffee, fruit juices) reduce nicotine absorption – avoid them for 15 minutes before and during chewing.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Stopping smoking during pregnancy is very important, as smoking can harm the development of the baby and lead to premature birth or miscarriage. It is best to stop without nicotine-containing medicines; pregnant women who cannot stop on their own should consult a doctor before using the medicine.

The medicine should not be used during breastfeeding, as nicotine passes into breast milk. If a doctor nevertheless recommends it, the gum should be taken immediately after breastfeeding.

Driving and using machines

The medicine has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Possible side effects

Some symptoms may be caused by stopping smoking itself (irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbance, increased appetite, depressed mood, cravings, dizziness, cough, constipation, bleeding gums or mouth ulcers). At the start of treatment the gum may cause mild irritation of the mouth and throat, which usually passes.

• Very common (more than 1 in 10): headache, cough, throat irritation, hiccups, nausea.
• Common (up to 1 in 10): burning sensation and inflammation in the mouth, with 4 mg also taste changes; dry mouth or increased salivation; stomach discomfort and pain; vomiting, flatulence, diarrhoea; fatigue; tingling.
• Uncommon (up to 1 in 100): stuffy nose, sneezing, allergy, wheezing and difficulty breathing, flushing and sweating, palpitations, fast heartbeat, raised blood pressure, rash and itching, abnormal dreams, chest pain, weakness, jaw muscle pain.
• Rare (up to 1 in 1,000): difficulty swallowing, reduced sensation in the mouth, atrial fibrillation; symptoms of angioedema (swelling of the face, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing, hives) – stop using and contact a doctor immediately.
• Not known: blurred vision, watery eyes, dry throat, skin redness, anaphylaxis, jaw muscle tightness, seizures.

Suspected side effects can be reported to a doctor, pharmacist or the Medicines and Medical Devices Agency of Serbia (ALIMS).

Overdose, missed dose and stopping treatment

• Overdose: nausea, increased salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, sweating, headache, dizziness, impaired hearing or weakness; at very high doses low blood pressure, weak and irregular pulse, breathing difficulty, collapse and seizures – contact a doctor or emergency service immediately and bring the leaflet and pack.
• Accidental swallowing of a gum: the risk of poisoning is low because nicotine is released slowly and incompletely, but always contact a doctor if a child is involved.
• Stopping treatment: reduce the number of gums gradually; keep any unused gums, as the urge to smoke may return suddenly.

Related information

For an individual quit plan and help choosing the strength, talk to a pharmacist or your doctor.

Composition, packaging and manufacturer

• One medicated gum contains 2 mg or 4 mg nicotine as nicotine resinate 20%.
• Excipients (core): gum base (contains butylated hydroxytoluene), xylitol, peppermint oil, anhydrous sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, acesulfame potassium, levomenthol, light magnesium oxide, talc; coating: xylitol, peppermint oil, acacia, titanium dioxide (E171), carnauba wax.
• The gums contain no sugar (sucrose) and no substances of animal origin.
• Appearance: square, coated white gums, 15 × 15 × 6 mm; PVC/PVDC-Al blister, 2 × 15 gums in a carton.
• Marketing authorisation holder: NELT CO. DOO BEOGRAD, Maršala Tita 226B, Dobanovci, Surčin.
• Manufacturer: MCNEIL AB, Helsingborg, Sweden.
• Authorisation numbers: 2 mg – 000476356 2023 of 27.08.2024; 4 mg – 000476357 2023 of 27.08.2024.

Storage

• Store below 25 °C.
• Shelf life is 3 years; do not use after the expiry date on the pack.
• Keep out of the sight and reach of children – nicotine in large doses can be very dangerous and even fatal for small children.
• Return unused medicine to a pharmacy that collects unused medicines.

Frequently asked questions

How do I choose between Nicorette freshmint 2 mg and 4 mg?

According to the leaflet, if you smoke 20 or fewer cigarettes a day, the 2 mg strength is used; if you smoke more than 20 a day or previously failed to stop with 2 mg, the 4 mg strength may be used.

How many gums can I take per day?

Usually 8–12 gums a day are sufficient, and no more than 15 gums a day should be taken, regardless of strength.

How long does treatment with Nicorette gum last?

At least 3 months, after which the number of gums is gradually reduced to 1–2 a day, when treatment is stopped. Regular use for more than one year is generally not recommended.

Can Nicorette gum be combined with a patch?

Yes, but only the 2 mg strength, with the nicorette invisipatch patch, in heavy dependence or when one form alone was not enough. The 4 mg strength is used on its own.

Sources

• ALIMS – Patient leaflet nicorette® freshmint, 2 mg, medicated chewing gum (August 2024)
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics nicorette® freshmint, 2 mg (authorisation 000476356 2023 of 27.08.2024)
• ALIMS – Patient leaflet nicorette® freshmint, 4 mg, medicated chewing gum
• ALIMS – Summary of Product Characteristics nicorette® freshmint, 4 mg (authorisation 000476357 2023)

Sources checked on: 23 October 2026.