Do not use more than one lozenge at a time, and do not use one lozenge right after another.They may want you to start on a lower dose and use the lozenge less frequently. If you use fewer than 10 cigarettes per day, or do not smoke every day, talk with your doctor or other healthcare provider about dosing.After 6 weeks of use, you can reduce use to 1 lozenge every 2-4 hours, and then 1 lozenge every 4-8 hours. Do not use more than 5 lozenges in 6 hours, and do not use more than 20 lozenges per day. If you are using the lozenge along with the nicotine patch, you may not need to use the lozenge as frequently because you will use it when you get or expect a craving.
To ensure that your body gets enough nicotine to ease your withdrawal symptoms, it is best to use at least 9 lozenges per day for the first six weeks. Try to think ahead about when you might get a craving for a cigarette, and then use a lozenge before the craving happens. Use 1 lozenge every 1-2 hours for the first six weeks of your quit attempt.Over time (typically after 8 to 12 weeks), you can lower the dose and how often you use it with the goal of eventually stopping use of the lozenge completely. If you are using the lozenge along with the nicotine patch, you may want to start with the 2 mg dose.
If you have your first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking, you should consider starting with the 4 mg dose. The right dose for you depends on when you usually have your first cigarette each day and how much you are currently smoking. The nicotine lozenge comes in two sizes (regular and mini) and each size comes in two strengths (2 mg and 4 mg).