Three Decades of High-Dose Nicotine Gum Dependence Treated With Nicotine Patches

Mendelsohn, Colin P. MBBS (Hons)

The Sydney Clinic, Bronte, Australia

Corresponding Author: Colin P. Mendelsohn, MBBS (Hons), The Sydney Clinic, 22–24 Murray Street, Bronte, NSW 2024, Australia. Telephone: 61-415-976-783; Fax: 61-2-8415-7117; E-mail: [email protected]

Received April 15, 2015

Accepted May 28, 2015

Nicotine and Tobacco Research 18(5):p 1220-1221, May 2016. | DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntv124

Introduction:

Some long-term nicotine gum users are addicted to nicotine and may need assistance to stop. There is no published evidence on the use of nicotine patches for this purpose.

Case Description:

A 45-year old man presented with a 30-year history of high-dose nicotine gum use (up to 200mg nicotine per day). He was highly nicotine dependent and had failed repeatedly to stop using nicotine gum use in the past. Within a week of commencing nicotine patches he was able to cease nicotine gum with minimal discomfort and has remained nicotine-free for 6 months, with abstinence confirmed biochemically. His severe sweating disorder rapidly resolved with cessation of the gum.

Conclusion:

Nicotine patches may be an effective treatment for long-term nicotine gum addiction.