To quit smoking is the easiest thing one could do, a lot of us quit smoking every day (Pun Intended).

The habit of smoking can be called the new cancer and ironically the most prominent cancer causing agent. These days this habit is fast catching up with people, and it is a fact, that whether you are a teen smoker or a pack-a-day smoker, quitting is tough. But the more we learn about the options and are prepared to quit, the easier the process will be. Smoking tobacco is both a physical addiction and a psychological habit. The nicotine provides a temporary and a very addictive high. Eliminating that on going regular fix of nicotine from cigarettes usually causes our body to experience physical withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

We all are well aware about the harmful effects of smoking, but quitting smoking also comes with a good deal of after effects like Irritability, frustration and even anger. One ends up getting restless if you don't get the nicotine fix in due time. People tend to lose their sleep and become insomniac and fatigue tends to set in. However to negate this impact a lot of us starting consuming a tobacco substitute and gradually phase out tobacco in its totality.
A lot of such tobacco substitutes are available in the market these days. One such product is the Nicotex Chewing Gum. Nicotex Chewing Gum comes in different flavours too v.i.z. Freshmint Flavour and Pan Flavour.

Manufactured by Cipla Ltd, it is an effective treatment aid in NRT (Nicotine Replacement Therapy). Nicotex Gum is available in packs of 10 gum pieces. Each piece of Nicotex Chewing Gum contains either 2mg or 4mg. It can be stored at room temperature (15C to 30C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light.

This product is readily available at Pan shops, chemist shops and lately even e-commerce healthcare portals have started selling these nicotine substitutes.

This chewing gum is designed to provide partial substitution for nicotine, which is arguably the main factor in prolonging the smoking habit. Nicotex gum is intended to cushion the patients against the withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. The active ingredient contained is Nicotine Polacrilex. This gum is used as an aid for cessation therapy. It reduces the withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving which comes with quitting smoking.

If you have been smoking more than 25 cigarettes a day then the 4mg nicotine gum is recommended for you and if you are below the 25 cigarettes a day category them the 2mg nicotine gum is recommended for you. Ideally a 12 week schedule is suggested for this.

Weeks 1-6: One piece of gum every 1-2 hours
Weeks 7-9: One piece of gum every 2-4 hours
Weeks 10-12: One piece of gum every 4-8 hours. Do not use more than 24 pieces of Nicotex gum a day.

There is a way to use these gums to get the maximum benefit. Each piece of gum has to be chewed very slowly and that too several times. Stop chewing the Nicotex gum when you get a peppery taste or a slight tingling feeling in the mouth. This usually happens after almost 15 chews, but may vary from person to person. Shift the chewing gum to one corner or side of your mouth, and leave it there. And when the peppery taste is almost gone, again start chewing the gum piece.

Repeat the chewing and shifting process of the gum till most of the nicotine is gone from the Nicotex Chewing Gum. This usually happens in about 30 minutes and the peppery taste or tingle will not return. Following this process can one ensure the quitting process is carried out well.

Lastly talking about side-effects, such tobacco substitutes also comes with its share of side-effects though very minuscule if you happen to compare with the side effects associated with smoking. The most common ones are, usually in the early days of treatment are apthous ulcers, throat irritation, excessive salivation and hiccups. These symptoms are usually more frequent and severe with the 4 mg gums than the 2 mg version. Excessive weight gain is sometimes associated with abstention of smoking.