nicotine spray side effects

Introduction

Nicotine nasal sprays are a form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) used to aid smoking cessation. While they can be effective in reducing withdrawal symptoms and helping individuals quit smoking, they are also associated with various side effects. This synthesis reviews the side effects of nicotine nasal sprays based on multiple research studies.

Key Insights

Irritant Effects:
- Nicotine nasal sprays commonly cause irritant side effects such as runny nose, nasal irritation, throat irritation, watering eyes, and sneezing, especially during the initial days of use. These effects tend to decrease significantly within the first week of treatment .
Subjective Effects:
- Nicotine nasal sprays can increase feelings of head rush and drug high in both smokers and non-smokers. They also tend to increase tension and jitteriness while decreasing relaxation .
Dose-Dependent Effects:
- The intensity of side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and nicotine-induced nystagmus (NIN) is dependent on the nicotine dosage. Higher doses correlate with increased severity of these symptoms.
Local Adverse Effects:
- Users of nicotine mouth sprays, a similar form of NRT, report local adverse effects such as burning of the tongue/throat, nausea, and hiccups. These effects are more frequent compared to other forms of NRT like gum or inhalers.
Cardiovascular Effects:
- Nicotine nasal sprays do not significantly augment the adverse cardiovascular effects of cigarette smoking, such as increased myocardial oxygen demand or coronary arterial vasoconstriction. Acute cardiovascular tolerance appears to develop with continued use.
Craving and Withdrawal:
- Both actual and expected doses of nicotine nasal spray can decrease craving in smokers, although they have limited influence on affect or withdrawal symptoms.

Conclusion

Nicotine nasal sprays are effective in aiding smoking cessation but are associated with several side effects, primarily irritant and local adverse effects. These side effects are generally dose-dependent and tend to decrease over time. While they do not significantly exacerbate cardiovascular risks when used alongside smoking, they can increase subjective feelings of head rush and tension. Despite these side effects, nicotine nasal sprays remain a viable option for smoking cessation, with users often continuing their use due to the benefits in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine spray side effects

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Nicotine nasal spray for smoking cessation: pattern of use, side effects, relief of withdrawal symptoms, and cotinine levels.

Nicotine nasal spray causes irritant side effects during the first few days, but these side effects decrease significantly within the first week, leading to a high rate of initial abstinence from smoking.

Does nicotine do what we think it does? A meta-analytic review of the subjective effects of nicotine in nasal spray and intravenous studies with smokers and nonsmokers.

Nicotine increases vigor for smokers but increases fatigue for never-smokers, increases head rush for both, and increases drug high and liking in smokers, while decreasing relaxation and increasing tension/jitteriness in both groups.

The effect of nicotine on perceptual, ocular motor, postural, and vegetative functions at rest and in motion

Nicotine dosage affects dizziness, nausea, and nystagmus, with motion stimulation exacerbated dizziness and nausea, suggesting nicotine increases sensitivity to motion sickness.

Efficacy of a nicotine mouth spray in smoking cessation: a randomised, double-blind trial

Nicotine mouth spray significantly increases smoking cessation rates compared to placebo, with higher abstinence rates over 6-, 24-, and 52-week periods.

Comparison of acute subjective and heart rate effects of nicotine intake via tobacco smoking versus nasal spray

Rapid nicotine uptake through nasal spray or tobacco smoking provides similar effects on heart rate, subjective effects, and desire to smoke, suggesting nicotine intake through novel methods may provide similar effects to smoking.

Intranasal nicotine spray does not augment the adverse effects of cigarette smoking on myocardial oxygen demand or coronary arterial dimensions.

Intranasal nicotine spray does not augment the adverse effects of cigarette smoking on myocardial oxygen demand or coronary arterial dimensions, suggesting that humans develop tolerance to increasing nicotine concentrations.

Evaluation of side effects after nicotine nasal spray in patients with chronic rhinitis.

Nicotine nasal spray is a short-term safe aid in smoking cessation for patients with chronic rhinitis, with irritant nasal side effects occurring most often in the early stages of treatment.

A Nicotine Mouth Spray for Smoking Cessation: A Pilot Study of Preference, Safety and Efficacy

Nicotine mouth spray is preferred by smokers, but has a high rate of local adverse effects, and its efficacy is comparable to gum and inhaler.

Mood, nicotine, and dose expectancy effects on acute responses to nicotine spray.

Nicotine spray formulation has little impact on some effects of nicotine and expectancies, but both actual and expected doses decrease cravings in smokers.

Acute Reinforcing Effects of Low-Dose Nicotine Nasal Spray in Humans

Low-dose nicotine nasal spray may reinforce smoking behavior in some smokers, with more positive effects and increased nicotine intake through tobacco smoking.

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