Signs and symptoms from nicotine gum abstinence

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1991;104(4):496-504. doi: 10.1007/BF02245656.

Abstract

This study examined and compared withdrawal signs and symptoms from cessation of 0, 2 and 4 mg nicotine gum. In addition, a comparison was made between nicotine gum versus cigarette withdrawal symptoms. Smokers first underwent cigarette deprivation for 4 days and then were randomly assigned to 0 (N = 16), 2 (N = 25), and 4 (N = 21) mg gum. They were asked to chew the gum for 1 month and then to undergo a 4-day nicotine gum deprivation period. The results showed a number of significant changes occurring after deprivation from 4 mg gum, one change from 2 mg gum, and no changes from 0 mg gum. There were no significant differences in severity of withdrawal among the various doses of nicotine gum. There were more severe symptoms of withdrawal from cigarette as opposed to 4 mg nicotine gum deprivation.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chewing Gum
  • Cotinine / metabolism
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nicotine / administration & dosage
  • Nicotine / pharmacology*
  • Saliva / chemistry
  • Saliva / metabolism
  • Smoking / psychology
  • Smoking Cessation / psychology
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / psychology*

Substances

  • Chewing Gum
  • Nicotine
  • Cotinine