PAPER: Test of RA's NicoNovum Zonnic Nicotine Spray...

June 12, 2010 - In a study funded by Zonnic's Swedish manufacturer, NicoNovum AB, found that their nicotine mouth spray may help calm cigarette cravings faster than nicotine lozenges or chewing gum,

Reynolds American Inc.(RA) , second-largest U.S. tobacco company, has completed the acquisition of Niconovum AB, a Swedish-based nicotine replacement therapy company, purchasing all outstanding shares of the company for 310 million Swedish kronor,or approximately $44 million. Niconovum markets innovative nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products under the Zonnic brand name in Sweden and Denmark. Its nicotine gum, mouth spray and pouches use proprietary technology for nicotine delivery. Niconovum will be a separate operating company of Reynolds American. (Reynolds American Inc. completes acquisition of Niconovum AB.., 12/11/2009)

PAPER: A randomized trial of the effects of two novel nicotine replacement therapies on tobacco withdrawal symptoms and user satisfaction, Hayden McRobbie et al. ( h.j.mcrobbie@qmul.ac.uk), Addiction Volume 105 Issue 7, Pages 1290 - 1298, 2010, ABSTRACT..

The lead researcher, Dr. Hayden McRobbie, of The London School of Medicine and Dentistry in the United Kingdom, "the problem with current nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) is that they just can't compete with smoking." "After taking a puff of a cigarette, you get a hit of nicotine to the brain within around 20 seconds." The nicotine patch, on the other hand, can take up to three hours to deliver its full effect, he explained. Gum can take a half hour. And while new nasal sprays do work faster -- within 10 to 15 minutes -- they are reported as very unpleasant to use, McRobbie said.

The investigators found that the mouth spray began to significantly reduce cravings within about 5 minutes, compared to 10 minutes with the lozenge and 15 minutes with the gum. One hour after use, the extent of the reported craving relief was about the same between the three active nicotine replacement therapies. Participants also noted no differences in pleasantness of use of the products, or side effects, aside from a small increase in the frequency of hiccups with the mouth spray.

Zonnic's nicotine mouth spray is not yet available in the United States. And the researchers agree that more rigorous studies are needed to determine the product's long-term effects.

Reference: Nicotine mouth spray quickly curbs cravings, SOURCE: link.reuters.com/jaf49k, Reuters Health, 5/10/2010.