Nicotine Replacement Therapy: Nicotine Gum and Counseling

Combining NRTs is more effective than using either alone. Participating in behavioral counseling while using this medication will increase your likelihood of staying tobacco-free.

• Nicotine Gum

  DOSAGE 2 MG, 4 MG

  What Does This Medication Do?

  Use the nicotine gum as needed to manage breakthrough cravings and urges to use tobacco.

  How Do I Use It?

  • Unlike what you do with regular gum, bite down slowly a few times until you feel a slight tingling in your mouth.
  • Park the gum between your cheek and gum. Leave it there for about one minute so you can absorb the nicotine.
  • Repeat biting and parking until the taste or tingle is gone. One piece of gum lasts 20–30 minutes.
  • Do not bite down too quickly on the gum or swallow the nicotine.
  • Avoid eating or drinking anything acidic 15 minutes before using the gum or during use.
  • You may start with up to 24 pieces of gum per day and then reduce over time.

  What Are The Possible Side Effects?

  • May cause mouth soreness, oral irritation, hiccups, jaw aches, nausea and vomiting. Proper gum use can help to avoid these side effects.
  • If you have any intolerable side effects, stop using the gum and contact your healthcare provider.

  If you are in crisis, call: 988 or 1-800-273-TALK and press 1 to talk to someone now.

• Tobacco Cessation Counseling

  Tobacco Cessation Counseling

  What Does Counseling Do?

  Behavioral counseling is when you talk with a health care provider about your tobacco or nicotine use and make a plan to get tobacco out of your life. This type of counseling helps you change your behaviors and routines to avoid using tobacco. It also can help you think differently about tobacco and your triggers.

  How Do I Use It?

  An important part of counseling is figuring out what triggers your tobacco or nicotine use. Some of these triggers probably sound familiar:

  • Talking on the phone
  • Drinking a cup of coffee
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Feeling bored
  • Needing a break
  • Facing stress
  • Having insomnia

  Counseling will help you to figure out how you can avoid or cope with your triggers, so you don’t start using tobacco again after you stop. For example, if you smoke with your morning coffee, your counselor may suggest that you have your coffee in a tobacco-free environment (such as a restaurant or a work kitchen) or switch to tea instead.

  How Do I Get VA Counseling?

  • Contact your VA health care provider. Tell them you are interested in working on changing your tobacco use. They can give you brief counseling as well as provide you with tobacco cessation medication. Your provider can also refer you to local tobacco use treatment clinics for individual and group counseling sessions.
  • Call the VA Quitline. Speak with a Quit VET coach Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern. Dial 1-855-QUIT-VET (1-855-784-8838). Are you ready to stop for good? Quit VET coaches can provide you with weekly check-in calls to troubleshoot difficulties and keep you on track.
  • Sign up for SmokefreeVET Text. Get encouraging and informative messages with quick tips and advice via text. Text VET to 47848 or go to Smokefree.gov/vet.
  • Download the Stay Quit Coach Mobile Application. Set goals to reduce or stop your tobacco use and track your progress with this smartphone app. To install, go to mobile.va.gov/app/stay-quit-coach.

  If you are in crisis, dial 988 and press 1 to talk to someone now or text 838255.

Use These Tools For Additional Support

If you use tobacco occasionally while taking the medicine, don’t give up. Continue to take the medicine and try not to use tobacco. 

What NRT Can You Combine?