NICOTROL® NS (nicotine) DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

(nicotine)

Prescribing Information

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

It is important that patients understand the instructions for use of NICOTROL NS, and have their questions answered. They should clearly understand the directions for using NICOTROL NS and safely disposing of the used container. They should be instructed to stop smoking completely when they begin using the product.

Patients should be instructed not to sniff, swallow or inhale through the nose as the spray is being administered. They should also be advised to administer the spray with the head tilted back slightly.

The dose of NICOTROL NS, should be individualized on the basis of each patient's nicotine dependence and the occurrence of symptoms of nicotine excess (See Individualization of Dosage).

Each actuation of NICOTROL NS delivers a metered 50 microliter spray containing 0.5 mg of nicotine. One dose is 1 mg of nicotine (2 sprays, one in each nostril).

Patients should be started with 1 or 2 doses per hour, which may be increased up to a maximum recommended dose of 40 mg (80 sprays, somewhat less than 1/2 bottle) per day. For best results, patients should be encouraged to use at least the recommended minimum of 8 doses per day, as less is unlikely to be effective. In clinical trials, the patients who successfully quit smoking used the product heavily when nicotine withdrawal was at its peak, sometimes up to the recommended maximum of 40 doses per day ( in heavier smokers). Dosing recommendations are summarized in Table 4.

Table 4:
Maximum Recommended Duration of Treatment	Recommended Doses per Hour	Maximum Doses per Hour	Maximum Doses per Day
* One dose=2 sprays (one in each nostril). One dose delivers 1 mg of nicotine to the nasal mucosa.
3 months	1–2*	5	40

No tapering strategy has been shown to be optimal in clinical studies. Many patients simply stopped using the spray at their last clinic visit.

Recommended strategies for discontinuation of use include suggesting that patients: use only 1/2 a dose (1 spray) at a time, use the spray less frequently, keep a tally of daily usage, try to meet a steadily reducing usage target, skip a dose by not medicating every hour, or set a planned "quit date" for stopping use of the spray.

Individualization of Dosage

The success or failure of smoking cessation is influenced by the quality, intensity and frequency of supportive care. Patients are more likely to quit smoking if they are seen frequently and participate in formal smoking cessation programs.

The goal of NICOTROL NS therapy is complete abstinence. If a patient is unable to stop smoking by the fourth week of therapy, treatment should probably be discontinued.

Patients who fail to quit on any attempt may benefit from interventions to improve their chances for success on subsequent attempts. Patients who were unsuccessful should be counseled and should then probably be given a "therapy holiday" before the next attempt. A new quit attempt should be encouraged when conditions are more favorable.

Based on the clinical trials, a reasonable approach to assisting patients in their attempt to quit smoking is to begin initial treatment, using the recommended dosage (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Regular use of the spray during the first week of treatment may help patients adapt to the irritant effects of the spray. Dosage can then be adjusted in those subjects with signs or symptoms of nicotine withdrawal or excess. Patients who are successfully abstinent on NICOTROL NS should be treated at the selected dosage for up to 8 weeks, following which use of the spray should be discontinued over the next 4 to 6 weeks. Some patients may not require gradual reduction of dosage and may abruptly stop treatment successfully. Treatment with NICOTROL NS for longer periods has not been shown to improve outcome, and the safety of use for periods longer than 6 months has not been established.

The symptoms of nicotine withdrawal overlap those of nicotine excess (See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY, Pharmacodynamics and ADVERSE REACTIONS). Since patients using NICOTROL NS may also smoke intermittently, it is sometimes difficult to determine if patients are experiencing nicotine withdrawal or nicotine excess. Controlled clinical trials of nicotine products suggest that palpitations, nausea and sweating are more often symptoms of nicotine excess, whereas anxiety, nervousness and irritability are more often symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.

Medication Guide

NICOTROL®NS(NICOTINE NASAL SPRAY)

Nicotrol®NS (nicotine nasal spray)

An Aid To Help You Stop Smoking

PATIENT INFORMATION

Read and follow carefully. If you have questions or want more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION—Read carefully

1.

NICOTROL® NS Nasal Spray is designed to help you quit smoking by reducing your urge to smoke. What causes the urge to smoke? It is the nicotine in cigarettes. NICOTROL® NS contains nicotine. Your doctor may increase or decrease dosage during the first few weeks. As your body adjusts to not smoking, your doctor will either tell you to stop using NICOTROL® NS or gradually reduce your dose.

•: People who use NICOTROL® NS with a comprehensive behavioral smoking cessation program are more successful in quitting smoking. This program can include support groups, counseling or specific behavior change techniques.

2.

Side Effects—During the first week or so most people experience the following side effects: hot, peppery feeling in back of throat or nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or runny nose. Wait 5 minutes before driving. Be sure to use regularly for the first week to help adjust to the side effects.

3.

Because nicotine is addictive, it is possible to become dependent on the Nasal Spray. It is important to use the Nasal Spray only for as long as needed to overcome your smoking habit (as directed by your doctor). Your chance of becoming dependent on the Nasal Spray increases if you use it longer than 6 months.

WARNINGS—Read before using NICOTROL® NS

1. Commit yourself—NO SMOKING! For NICOTROL® NS to help, you must be firmly committed to quitting! Stop smoking as soon as you start using NICOTROL® NS. Do not smoke or use any other tobacco product at any time while under treatment with NICOTROL® NS—nicotine overdose can occur. If symptoms of overdose occur, call a doctor or Poison Control Center. Nicotine overdose symptoms include:
• bad headaches • dizziness • upset stomach	• drooling • vomiting • diarrhea	• cold sweat • weak and irregular pulse • blurred vision	• hearing difficulties • mental confusion • weakness and fainting
2. Keep out of reach of children and pets. NICOTROL® NS can cause serious illness in children and pets—even in very small amounts. If a child uses or handles NICOTROL® NS, call a doctor or Poison Control Center. When the bottle is empty, replace cap and throw away out of reach of children and pets. Even empty bottles contain enough nicotine to seriously harm children and pets. 3. Tell your doctor if you have:
• chronic nasal problems such as nasal allergies, inflammation, sinusitis or nasal polyps (growths) • heart problems (recent heart attack, irregular heartbeat, severe or worsening heart pain) • high blood pressure		• drug allergies • stomach ulcers or heartburn • wheezing or asthma • overactive thyroid • diabetes requiring insulin • kidney or liver disease
Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking—the dosages may need to be changed. Check with your doctor before taking any new medicine while using NICOTROL® NS.
4. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, only use this medicine on the advice of your health care provider. Smoking can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using any nicotine replacement medicine. This medicine is believed to be safer than smoking. However, the risks to your child from this medicine are not fully known.

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

BEFORE YOU USE — Read information on both sides

BEFORE YOU USE—Read information on both sides

FOLLOW DOSAGE:	WHAT TO EXPECT (First Week):
• Use as directed by doctor. • But do not use more than 5 times an hour or 40 times in 24 hours. • Stop smoking completely during NICOTROL® NS treatment program.	• Hot, peppery feeling in back of throat or nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or runny nose. • To Help Adjust to Spray—use regularly for first week. • Side effects will lessen for most people in a few days—don't stop using the Nasal Spray. If side effects do not lessen after a week, call your doctor.

REMOVE CAP:	PRIME PUMP (before first use):
• Press in circles on sides of bottle. • Pull off cap as shown.	• Get a tissue or paper towel. • Hold bottle as shown. • Press up on bottom with thumb. • Pump into tissue until you see a fine spray (6 to 8 times). • Throw tissue away.
FOLLOW DIRECTIONS EXACTLY — Questions? (call 1-888-642-6876)

• Blow nose if it is not clear. • Tilt head back slightly. • Hold bottle as shown.	• Insert tip of bottle into nostril—as far as is comfortable. • Breathe through mouth. • Spray once in each nostril. Do not sniff or inhale while spraying. • If nose runs, gently sniff to keep the Nasal Spray in nose. Wait 2 or 3 minutes before blowing nose.
	AVOID contact with skin, eyes, and mouth. If bottle breaks, wear rubber gloves, wipe up with paper towel and wash surfaces thoroughly. Do not let nicotine come in contact with your skin, mouth, or eyes. If it does, rinse with plain water immediately. Nicotine overdose can occur when nicotine is absorbed through the skin. If symptoms of overdose occur (see other side for symptoms), call a doctor or Poison Control Center.
• Place cap back on bottle after use. • Store at room temperature, 59°F to 86°F (15°C to 30°C), out of reach of children. • If you don't use the Nasal Spray for 24 hours, prime pump in tissue 1 or 2 times. • Most vials of NICOTROL® NS contain 100 doses (200 sprays), but excessive priming will reduce the amount of medicine available for use. Avoid excessive priming.

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