Nicorette is a branded over-the-counter palliative treatment which is used to ameliorate the withdrawal effects involved in quitting smoking. Originally available as a patch for topical application, it was later made available as a chewing gum (composed of nicotine polacrilex) and even an inhaler. All these products contain nicotine as the active ingredient and work by delivering this into the bloodstream. Palliative care is any form of medical care or treatment that concentrates on reducing the severity of the symptoms of a disease or slows its progress rather than providing a cure. ... When something that generates a physical or a psychological dependency — a behavior or the use of a substance — is stopped or withdrawn from, some type of withdrawal symptoms almost always follow. ... For information about smoking tobacco, see tobacco smoking. ... Chewing gum Chewing gum is a type of confectionery which is designed to be chewed, not swallowed. ... Nicotine is an organic compound, a pyrrolidine-like alkaloid found naturally in the nightshade family of plants, such as tobacco and tomatoes. ...

Alternative brand names include Prostep®, Habitrol® Nicotrol®, and Nicoderm®.