How to take it

the nasal spray

Read all of the following instructions carefully before starting to use the nasal spray. You need to hold the bottle and use the spray correctly to ensure that nicotine is delivered correctly.

Directions for using the spray

1. Remove the protective dust cap by squeezing the 2 side clips and pulling the cap off. 2. A new spray, or one which has not been used for 2-3 days, may not work the first time and must be "primed" (priming reduces the number of sprays you may get from a bottle).

• Point the spray away from you and any other adults, children or pets that are near you
• Put your forefinger and middle finger on the collar either side of the nozzle and your thumb underneath the bottle
• Keeping your thumb still, press down firmly and quickly with your fingers to pump the spray until a fine spray appears (up to 7-8 strokes)
• Never try to unblock or enlarge the tiny spray hole with a pin or other sharp object because this may damage the spray mechanism 3. Hold the spray as described for priming the spray. 4. Insert the tip of the spray into one nostril pointing the tip towards the back of your nose NOT straight up your nose. Press down with your fingers firmly and quickly. Then insert the tip of the spray into your other nostril and repeat the process if required. 5. After using the spray wipe the spray nozzle with a clean tissue and then replace the protective cap. Store the spray out of the sight and reach of children and animals and protect from light.

How to stop smoking/vaping

Because smoking/vaping is an addiction you may find it difficult to give up. From time to time you may still have strong urges to smoke/vape but if you follow these recommendations, you have a good chance of quitting. Some people may find it easier to set a date to quit and stop smoking/vaping immediately. Others who are unable or not ready to stop smoking/vaping abruptly, may benefit from gradually reducing the number of cigarettes/e-cigarettes they smoke/vape each day until they feel ready to stop completely. You can also use the nasal spray on those occasions when you can't or don't want to smoke/vape e.g. social situations such as a party, in the pub or when at work. If you are an adult you can follow either one of these options. However children should follow the guide to stopping immediately as the recommended duration of nicotine replacement therapy in children is 12 weeks maximum. The only time children should stop gradually

is if they are having a problem stopping immediately and they should talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse beforehand. If you find it hard to stop using the nasal spray, you are worried that you will start smoking/vaping again without it or you find it difficult to reduce the number of sprays you are using, talk to your pharmacist, nurse or doctor.

possible. Make sure you read the instructions for each step in the information which follows. Preparation 24 weeks (6 months) Step 1

Step 2

12 weeks 4 weeks (3 months) reduce usage Step 3

Step 4

Step 1: Work out how many cigarettes/e-cigarettes you use per day. Set a date to start reducing the The idea is to stop smoking/vaping immediately number of cigarettes/e-cigarettes you smoke/vape. and use the nasal spray to relieve the cravings to Step 2: Start reducing. Over the next few months, smoke/vape. After achieving this you then stop using the spray. You should aim to stop using the nasal spray reduce the number of cigarettes/e-cigarettes you smoke/vape by using the nasal spray to relieve your within 12 weeks (3 months). There is a difference in cravings. See Dosage section to see how many how you stop depending on whether you are aged sprays you are allowed to use and how often you can between 12 and 17 years or 18 years and over. Make use the nasal spray. If after 6 weeks you have not sure you follow the age range applicable to you. reduced the number of cigarettes/e-cigarettes you Adults of 18 years and over smoke/vape, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse See the following diagram, which shows the basic step for advice. You should aim to stop smoking/vaping by step process. completely within six months from the beginning of The times given below are the longest amount of time treatment. they should take, and you should try to achieve your Step 3: Stop smoking/vaping. Cut out all move to the next step in the shortest time possible. cigarettes/e-cigarettes and continue using the spray Make sure you read the instructions for each step in for up to 3 months to relieve your cravings to the information which follows. smoke/vape. Preparation 8 weeks 2 weeks 2 weeks Step 4: Start reducing the use of the nasal spray. (2 months) You should try to use fewer sprays each day. Cut the number to none within 4 weeks or sooner. When you Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 are only using one or two sprays per day you should stop completely. If you need to use the product for Step 1: Set a date to quit and stop smoking/vaping longer than 9 months, ask your doctor, pharmacist or cigarettes/e-cigarettes. nurse for advice. Step 2: Use the nasal spray for up to 8 weeks You might feel a sudden craving to smoke/vape long (2 months) to relieve your cravings. See the table after you have given up smoking/vaping and stopped to see how many sprays you should be using and when and how you should use the nasal spray. using the nasal spray. Remember you can use Step 3: Start reducing the number of sprays you nicotine replacement therapy again if this should use each day over 2 weeks. At the end of the two happen. weeks you should aim to have halved the number of Children and adolescents of 12 to sprays that you use each day. 17 years Step 4: Cut the number of sprays to none at all Children and adolescents should follow the guide to over the next two weeks. stopping immediately, however they should not use You may find that using one spray in just one nostril NRT for longer than 12 weeks. The only time children may help you to begin to reduce the number of and adolescents should stop gradually is if they are sprays you need to use in steps 3 and 4. You should having a problem stopping immediately. Ask for help not use Boots NicAssist 10 mg/ml Nasal Spray and advice from a pharmacist, nurse or doctor before continuously for more than 3 months. attempting to stop gradually. If you need to use this product for more than 9 months in total, you should ask your pharmacist, If you use too many sprays: You may get the nurse or doctor for advice. following symptoms – nausea, vomiting, increased Children and adolescents of 12 to 17 years salivation, pain in your stomach, diarrhoea, sweating, headache, dizziness, hearing disturbance, weakness. Children and adolescents should follow the guide to If this happens contact a doctor or hospital stopping immediately, however they should not use NRT for longer than 12 weeks. casualty department straight away. Take the You might feel a sudden craving to smoke/vape long medicine and this leaflet with you. after you have given up smoking/vaping and stopped If a child under 12 accidentally uses or using Boots NicAssist 10 mg/ml Nasal Spray. swallows some of this medicine, take them to Remember you can use nicotine replacement therapy casualty immediately. Take the medicine and this again if this should happen. leaflet with you. Nicotine ingestion by a child may cause severe poisoning. Stopping gradually The idea is to start gradually replacing some of your Possible side effects cigarettes/e-cigarettes with the nasal spray. After Most people can use this medicine without any achieving this you then give up cigarettes/e-cigarettes problems but sometimes you may notice some side completely while using the spray. Finally you give up effects. Many of these effects are due to nicotine, using the spray. they may also happen when you smoke/vape. Adults 18 years and over If you notice any of the following serious side See the following diagram which shows the basic step effects, stop using the medicine, do not by step process. The time given for steps 2 and 3 are smoke/vape and see your doctor as soon as the longest it should take, and you should try to possible: achieve your move to the next step in the shortest time

Stopping immediately

652872

• Stomach discomfort
• You develop a fast, slow or irregular heart beat
• You have an allergic reaction to the nasal spray such • Changes in heart rhythm (you may notice a fast heart rate or beat) as rash, itching or swelling of the tongue, mouth or throat (go straight to casualty if severe)
• Feeling weak
• You experience seizures (fits)
• A fast and irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) Effects related to stopping smoking/vaping When you stop smoking you may also develop mouth (nicotine withdrawal) ulcers. The reason why this happens is unknown. You may experience unwanted effects because by Reporting of side effects stopping smoking/vaping you have reduced the If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, amount of nicotine you are taking. You may also pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side experience these effects if you use too few sprays effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side before you are ready to reduce your nicotine intake. effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: These effects include: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA
• Irritability or aggression, feeling low, anxiety, Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. restlessness By reporting side effects you can help provide more
• Poor concentration, urges to smoke (craving), night information on the safety of this medicine. time awakening or sleep disturbance

Possible side effects

with an unknown frequency: Product name: Boots NicAssist 10 mg/ml Nasal Spray

• Severe allergic reaction, swelling or redness of the skin, Reference Number: 15513/0180 hives This is a service provided by the Royal National
• Watery eyes, nose discomfort, sneezing, discomfort Institute of Blind People. and pain in the mouth and throat

How to store it

and dispose of this

• Increased appetite or weight gain medicine
• Lowering of heart rate Store the nasal spray protected from light.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, blurry vision, nausea Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the
• Cough sight and reach of children and animals, preferably
• Constipation in a locked cupboard. Nicotine in high amounts can be
• Bleeding gums very dangerous and sometimes fatal if used or
• Mouth ulcers swallowed by children.
• Swelling of the nasal passages and back of the throat Use by the date on the label edge or the end flap of Effects of too much nicotine the carton. After this date return any unused product You may also get these effects if you are not used to to your nearest pharmacy for safe disposal. inhaling tobacco smoke or vaping. You may be able to Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or relieve these effects by using the sprays less often. household waste. These measures will help to protect These effects include: the environment.
• Feeling faint, feeling sick (nausea), headache What is in this medicine Side effects of the nasal spray This pack contains one 10 ml nasal spray containing During the first 2 days of using the nasal spray, many 10 mg/ml of nicotine in a solution to deliver people may get irritation of the nose such as sneezing, approximately runny nose, watering eyes or a cough. If you continue 175 sprays. Each spray delivers 500 micrograms of to use the spray these effects and how often you may nicotine in 50 microlitres of solution. get them will reduce. As well as the active ingredient, the spray also contains Very common side effects: (more than 1 in every 10 disodium phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, people are affected) sodium chloride, citric acid, polysorbate 80, β-ionone,
• Runny nose methylparahydroxybenzoate (E218), Common side effects: (less than 1 in every 10 people propylparahydroxybenzoate (E216), disodium edetate, are affected) purified water.
• Headache, dizziness, pins and needles Who makes this medicine
• Palpitations This product is manufactured for The Boots Company
• Cough, throat irritation, shortness of breath, nose PLC, Nottingham, NG2 3AA by McNeil AB, bleeds Helsingborg, Sweden.
• Feeling sick, being sick The Marketing Authorisation holder is McNeil Products
• Itching, skin rash, excess sweating Limited, 1 Station Hill Square, Station Hill, Reading,
• Chest pains RG1 1LN, UK Uncommon side effects: (less than 1 in every 100 This leaflet was last revised March 2026 people are affected) If you would like any further information about this
• Abnormal dreams product, please contact The Boots Company PLC,
• Allergic reactions Nottingham, NG2 3AA.
• Flushing, high blood pressure Other formats
• Feeling tired or unwell To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or Very rare side effects: (less than 1 in 10,000 people are audio please call, free of charge: affected) 0800 198 5000 (UK only)
• Abnormal beating of the heart Please be ready to give the following information: