Generic Nicotine Gum

Nicorette Gum, Re-branding, and Generic Nicotine Gum

What does Generic Actually Mean?

The term generic in the pharmaceutical world simply refers to "the chemical makeup of a drug rather than the advertised brand name under which the drug is sold." Once a trademark expires other companies obtain the right to the chemical makeup and because they did not spend the research money to create the initial product they are therefore able to produce the same product at a greatly discounted rate. Now we shouldn't feel bad for the original creator of the chemical formula as they were given plenty of time to recoup their R&D costs and make a profit.

So generic nicotine gum is not an inferior product, in fact sometimes it can be superior. Take Habitrol Gum for example. Customers of ours have reported it to have less of a medical taste when compared to Nicorette Gum.

Re-Branding : What is it?

Brands have a great power over us as individuals. If you sell M&M candies beside W&W Chocolates (made up brand name with the exact same chocolate candy inside) chances are even though W&W is selling at a quarter of the price you will buy M&M's. Why? As silly as it may sound when we see a re-branded food product, we automatically think it’s going to taste different.

Ivan Petrovich Pavlov a Russian physiologist, psychologist, and physician in the early 20th century studied was best known for his studies of reflex behavior in dogs. Pavlov's experiment proved that all animals (including humans) can be trained or conditioned to expect a consequence on the results of previous experience. For brand marketers out there this is a dream come true and as humans we have become conditioned to equate price with quality.

What does this have to do with Nicorette Gum?

It turns out that Nicorette Gum is also available under the brand name Nicotrol Gum. That's right the same gum, manufactured in the same country, but shipped with a different name at a cheaper selling price. Personally paying more for the same product, manufactured at the same factory because you are conditioned to just doesn't make sense.

At the end of the day whether you choose a generic gum brand, or the original Nicorette Gum the upside is that you have more control over the amount of nicotine you take in. You can chew it on a regular schedule or chew it only when you feel you need it. Feeling like you are in control of the quitting process is very important.

Remember always follow the directions on the label and if you have any concerns before using an stop-smoking aid please consult with your doctor especially under the following circumstances:

  • You are taking prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially acetaminophen (Tylenol), caffeine, diuretics ('water pills'), imipramine (Tofranil), insulin, medications for high blood pressure, oxazepam (Serax), pentazocine (Talwin, Talwin NX, Talacen), propoxyphene (Darvon, E-Lor), propranolol (Inderal), theophylline (Theo-Dur), and vitamins.
  • If you have or have ever had a heart attack, irregular heart rate, angina, ulcers, uncontrolled high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, pheochromocytoma, or a dental condition or disorder.
  • If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using nicotine gum, stop using it and call your doctor immediately. Nicotine and nicotine gum may cause harm to the fetus.

Further Information: Nicotine Gum Warnings and Cautions