Is Nicotrol Inhaler discontinued or any shortage by the company? Who manufactures Nicotrol Inhaler? Bad news for Nicotrol Inhaler users: it’s been discontinued! Pfizer, the company that makes it, had to stop selling it. If you’re using it or thinking about it, it’s time to explore other options to help you quit smoking.
In May 2023, Pfizer, the company that makes Nicotrol, sent a letter saying: “They won’t sell Nicotrol Inhaler anymore. They won’t have it for sale after around September 2023. They can’t get a special material needed to make the part you put in your mouth for the inhaler. They want to be clear that it’s not because people complained or it’s unsafe. Nicotrol Inhaler has two parts: a mouthpiece and a plastic cartridge that gives you 4 mg of nicotine. The current supply of Nicotrol Inhaler will last until September 2023.”
But don’t worry if you use Nicotrol Nasal Spray; that will still be available from Pfizer. The letter doesn’t tell doctors what else to use instead. So, they’ll need to decide what’s best for their patients. You can find the information on its official website if you want more details about it. Before the main topic, let’s find out what Nicotrol is!
What Is Nicotrol?
Nicotrol is a medicine that helps you quit smoking by giving you a replacement for the nicotine in cigarettes. Nicotine is something in cigarettes that makes you want to keep smoking.
When you stop smoking, your nicotine levels drop. This makes you feel bad, like wanting to smoke again, feeling nervous, annoyed, having a headache, gaining weight, or finding it hard to concentrate. Using this inhaler is like using a tool to help you quit smoking. It’s part of a plan that includes changing your habits, talking to someone for support, and getting help to quit smoking. Smoking can cause problems like lung disease, cancer, and heart issues. Quitting is a big step to help you live healthier and longer.
How to use the Nicotrol Cartridge
- Please read the instructions that come with it before you start.
- It’s super important to stop smoking while using this inhaler completely.
- Put a cartridge into the mouthpiece and breathe in the medicine by puffing on it for short or longer sessions.
- You don’t need to breathe in as much as you would with a cigarette; the medicine works in your mouth and throat, not in your lungs.
- Avoid certain foods and drinks (like citrus fruit, coffee, juices) 15 minutes before inhaling.
- After 20 minutes of use, throw away the used cartridge where kids and pets can’t reach. You can reuse the mouthpiece by cleaning it with soap and water.
When you quit smoking
- Use a new nicotine cartridge whenever you want a cigarette.
- For the first 3 to 6 weeks, use at least 6 cartridges daily, but not more than 16 daily.
- Your doctor will tell you how often to use it.
- Regular use can help your body get used to the medicine and reduce things like a sore throat.
- The right amount for you is what helps you not want to smoke without giving you problems from too much nicotine.
After a few months:
- Your doctor will help you use less and less until you don’t need it anymore.
- If you suddenly stop, you might feel cravings, nervousness, irritation, or headaches. Your doctor can help you lower the dose slowly to avoid these problems.
- Tell your doctor if you can’t quit after using it for a month. Some people need to try more than once to quit. Don’t worry; lots of people succeed the next time they try.
What Are The Side Effects Of Nicotrol Inhaler?
Common side effects of Nicotrol Inhaler include:
- Burning or irritation in your nose, mouth, throat, or eyes
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Hoarse voice
- Numbness or tingling in your nose, mouth, or head
- Nosebleed
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Watery eyes
- Changes in your sense of taste or smell
- Trouble sleeping
- Bad dreams
- Feeling nervous and excitable
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Back pain and irritation where Nicotrol (nicotine inhaler) is used.
It is important to note that if you have any of these health problems: chest pain or pressure, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, or a recent heart attack, you should not use Nicotrol Inhaler. If you still smoke, chew tobacco, or use other products that have nicotine while using Nicotrol Inhaler, it may cause serious side effects.
Please consult your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or are concerned about using Nicotrol Inhaler.
Who Manufactures Nicotrol Inhaler?
Pfizer manufacturers Nicotrol Inhalers.
Nicotrol Inhaler Reviews
Nicotrol inhaler is a unique tool that helps people quit smoking. Drugs.com says it’s pretty good, scoring 7.8 out of 10 from 31 reviews. About 68% of people liked it, while 13% didn’t.
People on Drugs.com shared their story. They smoked a lot for many years, but with the Nicotrol inhaler, they could quit. They said it’s not like magic but helps, especially with the hand-to-mouth habit. They also mentioned saving money because they didn’t have to spend $5-6 daily on cigarettes.
You can only get the Nicotrol inhaler if your doctor says it’s okay. It gives you a small amount of nicotine to help you not want to smoke. You might need to use it 6 to 16 times daily for about 3 months. Studies show it works even better when used with nicotine patches. The inhaler helps with quick cravings, and the patch gives your body a steady amount of nicotine all day.
If you have problems using the inhaler, talk to your doctor immediately. If you stop using it suddenly, you might feel like smoking again and have other issues like being nervous or having a headache. Your doctor can help you slowly use less to avoid these problems.
Not everyone can use the Nicotrol inhaler, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before trying it. They’ll look at your health history to see if it’s a good idea for you.
Recommended Best Nicotine Inhaler
If you’re looking for something instead of Nicotrol Inhalers, here are some options:
- Bupropion: This medicine from the doctor can help with sadness or stopping smoking. But, it might make you have trouble sleeping or other issues.
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT): There are things like nicotine gum, patches, lozenges, and inhalers. They can help when you want to stop smoking. Gum and patches are at the store, but the inhaler needs a special note from the doctor.
- Varenicline: This is a medicine from the doctor that can help when you’re stopping smoking. But it might make you feel sick, get headaches, or have trouble sleeping.
- Asthmanefrin: You can get this at the store for asthma, not really for stopping smoking. But it might help a bit with wanting to smoke less.
- Commit Lozenge: This is a tablet at the store with nicotine to help when you want to stop smoking.
- QuitGo Inhaler: This is another thing at the store, with natural stuff like St. John’s Wort, Lobelia, and Passion Flower. It can help when you’re stopping smoking.
Are There Any Natural Alternatives To Nicotrol Inhalers?
If you want to stop smoking without using Nicotrol Inhaler, there are some natural things you can try:
- Breathing exercises: Doing deep breathing, like in yoga, can help you relax and feel less stressed, which might make it easier to quit smoking.
- Mustard oil: This is warm oil from mustard seeds. It can help you breathe better and open up your airways. It’s safe to use whenever you need it.
- Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products: There are things like patches, gum, and lozenges that have nicotine to help you quit smoking. You can get some of them without needing a special note from the doctor.
- Bupropion: This is a medicine with names like Zyban or Wellbutrin. It can help with sadness or quitting smoking. But, it might make you have trouble sleeping or other issues.
Remember, these natural ways might not work as well as Nicotrol Inhaler, and it’s always good to talk to your doctor before trying something new.
Can You Still Buy Nicotrol Inhaler?
Yes, you can still buy Nicotrol Inhaler. It would help to have a doctor’s note to buy Nicotrol Inhalers. You can get them from a nearby drugstore or order them online from a few websites, like Amazon, Northwest Pharmacy, and more.
One Nicotrol Inhaler costs about $969.09, but you can pay less if you use any coupon. It’s important to know there isn’t a generic version of Nicotrol Inhaler available. The price might be different at other pharmacies.
The Wrap
In a twist of events, Nicotrol Inhalers have been discontinued by Pfizer due to a shortage of a critical component needed for production. This inhaler is widely used for quitting smoking. But now, it is unavailable as it was discontinued after September 2023.
If you’re a Nicotrol user, it’s time to explore alternative options. Pfizer suggests checking out their Nicotrol Nasal Spray, but other choices like gum, patches, and lozenges exist. Remember, stopping smoking is a crucial step for better health, and your doctor can guide you on the best path forward. Though Nicotrol Inhaler won’t be in the picture, the journey to a smoke-free life continues with different tools and support. So, if you’re on this path, keep moving forward – you’ve got this!
