Nicotine gum has a habit of curbing tobacco urge
Q: I chewed tobacco for 35 years, starting at age 25, when I quit smoking. My dentist back then cautioned that since chewing tobacco caused no smoke nor ash and needed no free hand, it could become an all-consuming habit. It did.
I tried several different ways to quit, to no avail. Then in 2013, I tried nicotine gum. It worked. My dentist says my gums look as good as anyone’s. And, yes, I’m still chewing that gum.
A: We are delighted to learn that you were able to overcome your tobacco habit with nicotine gum. We have heard from many people that this approach is successful, though giving up the nicotine gum can become challenging in itself. One reader came up with a gradual withdrawal process that worked for her: “I stopped smoking using nicotine gum. After a month on it, I substituted a regular piece of gum for every second piece and then started to cut the nicotine gum in half. It didn’t take me long to break away from it.”
Q: I was prescribed Paxil and Ritalin for anxiety, depression and adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Ever since I started taking them, I sweat profusely at night and do not sleep well. My doctor took me off Ritalin and gave me Strattera. It has been more than a week on the new regimen, but my sweating and insomnia haven’t subsided. Could Paxil be causing these side effects?
A: Paroxetine (Paxil), like similar antidepressants (fluoxetine, sertraline), can cause insomnia and sweating. Consequently, the problem might lie with the Paxil.
Don’t stop it on your own, but do get in touch with your doctor immediately. Paxil can increase blood levels of atomoxetine (Strattera) significantly (Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, November 2002; Clujul Medical, Vol. 88, No. 4, 2015). This could increase the possibility of Strattera side effects such as sweating, sleep problems, fatigue, headache and dry mouth.
For more information on medications and nondrug approaches to depression, we are sending you our “Guide to Dealing With Depression.” Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3 in check or money order with a long (No. 10), stamped (68 cents), selfaddressed envelope to: Graedons’ People’s Pharmacy, No. E-7, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 277172027.