The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will recommend reducing or scrapping warnings on use of nicotine gum, patches and lozenges in recognition they are unlikely to lead to abuse or dependence, the agency said.

Limits on use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products should be observed, but can safely be exceeded, the FDA said. The agency will scrap package warnings that NRTs should not be used in combination with tobacco, or other nicotine containing products. The FDA allows gums, lozenges and patches containing nicotine to be sold over the counter as NRT products to help people quit smoking.
“Although any nicotine-containing product is potentially addictive, decades of research and use have shown that NRT products sold OTC do not appear to have significant potential for abuse or dependence,” the FDA said in a statement to consumers. (ci)