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Addicted To Nicorette Gum. Tumor Removed From Colon, Surgery Done. Wants To Do Chemotherapy. Tips To Quit Nicorette?
Question: My husband aged 75 has been chewing Nicorette gum for about 18 years. He has just had a tumour removed from the colon .It spread to the Lymph nodes which were removed. He will begin Chemotherapy in about 3 weeks.
He is now recovering in rehabilition hospital. He has resumed chewing Nicorette ( I don't know how he found some !) and I would like to know of side effects resulting. He has a slight heart murmor. The cardiologist said to see him in a year's time. I need to show my husband the necessity of cessation of Nicorette use. I am a retired pharmacist but he has never taken my advice. Please advise,
XXXXXXX
He is now recovering in rehabilition hospital. He has resumed chewing Nicorette ( I don't know how he found some !) and I would like to know of side effects resulting. He has a slight heart murmor. The cardiologist said to see him in a year's time. I need to show my husband the necessity of cessation of Nicorette use. I am a retired pharmacist but he has never taken my advice. Please advise,
XXXXXXX
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for posting the query.
I would like to make the following comments after going through your history:
1. Nicorette chewing gums are recommended as a part of smoking cessation therapy for a maximum of 12 weeks. Your husband has been taking it since 18 years, which has far exceeded the recommended duration.
2. Also, it is relatively contraindicated in the presence of unstable heart disease, recent myocardial infarction, or irregular heartbeat as nicotine can increase the heart rate.
3. There are a lot of adverse effects associated with such a long use of nicotine gums.
4. It is strongly suggested that you take your husband to a professional smoking cessation programme (mostly under the consultation of Pulmonologist & Psychiatrist) and be evaluated for this form of nicotine dependence.
I hope I have answered your query. Please do let me know if there are any further queries.
Please accept my answer if there are no further queries.
I wish your husband good health.
Regards.
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS, MD, DNB
Thanks for posting the query.
I would like to make the following comments after going through your history:
1. Nicorette chewing gums are recommended as a part of smoking cessation therapy for a maximum of 12 weeks. Your husband has been taking it since 18 years, which has far exceeded the recommended duration.
2. Also, it is relatively contraindicated in the presence of unstable heart disease, recent myocardial infarction, or irregular heartbeat as nicotine can increase the heart rate.
3. There are a lot of adverse effects associated with such a long use of nicotine gums.
4. It is strongly suggested that you take your husband to a professional smoking cessation programme (mostly under the consultation of Pulmonologist & Psychiatrist) and be evaluated for this form of nicotine dependence.
I hope I have answered your query. Please do let me know if there are any further queries.
Please accept my answer if there are no further queries.
I wish your husband good health.
Regards.
Dr. Gyanshankar Mishra
MBBS, MD, DNB
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Aparna Kohli
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