How to take it

the microtab

The microtabs must be dissolved slowly under the tongue (about 30 minutes). This will release the nicotine, which you absorb through the lining of your mouth. Do not chew or swallow them.

When to use the microtab

Follow the instructions in the table. The table shows you how many microtabs to use, when to use them, how to use them, and the maximum amount of time you should be using them for. Read this information carefully and then go to "How to stop smoking/vaping – your choice". This section will help you decide which method to use. The number of microtabs you use each day will depend on how many cigarettes/ e-cigarettes you smoked/vaped and how strong they were. See the table below to find out how many microtabs you should use. If you smoke 20 cigarettes or less per day or you are a light to moderate vaper (e.g. vape infrequently or use low strength e-liquid), you should use one microtab every hour, although you may want to increase to two microtabs every hour if one is not relieving your cravings. If you smoke more than 20 cigarettes per day or you are a heavy vaper (e.g. vape frequently or use high strength e-liquid) you should use two microtabs every hour. You must not use more than 40 microtabs a day.

Adults and Children of 12 years and over Number of How many and cigarettes/ how often to use e-cigarettes you them smoke/vape per day 20 cigarettes or fewer One microtab a day or light to every hour. moderate vapers (e.g. vape infrequently or use low strength e-liquid). More than 20 Two microtabs cigarettes a day or every hour. heavy vapers (e.g. vape frequently or use high strength e-liquid). Most people use between 8 to 24 microtabs per day. Don't use more than 40 microtabs per day. Do not use more than the amount recommended. Children aged 12 to 17 years should not use for longer than 12 weeks in total without asking for help and advice from a doctor, pharmacist or nurse. Adults aged 18 years and over should not use for more than 9 months in total without asking for help and advice from a doctor, pharmacist or nurse. Children under 12 years: Do not give this

medicine to children under 12 years of age.

How to stop smoking/ vaping – your choice!

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 microtabs 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 NRT 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 microtabs, you are worried that you will start smoking/vaping again without them or you find it difficult to reduce the number of microtabs you are using, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

Stopping immediately

The idea is to stop smoking/vaping immediately and use the microtabs to relieve the cravings to smoke/vape. After achieving this you then stop using the microtabs.

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This medicine is available without prescription to help you stop smoking and vaping. However, you still need to use it carefully to get the best results from it.

• Keep this leaflet, you may need to read it again
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice
• Important – these microtabs are sublingual tablets and must be dissolved under the tongue, do not chew or swallow them.

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There is a difference in how you stop depending on whether you are aged between 12 and 17 years or 18 years and over. Make sure you follow the age range applicable to you.

Possible side effects

Most people can use this medicine without any problems but sometimes you may notice some side effects. Many of these effects are due to nicotine; they may also happen when you smoke/vape. Adults of 18 years and over See the following diagram, which shows the If you notice any of the following serious basic step by step process. side effects, stop using the medicine, do not smoke/vape and see your doctor as The time given in step 2 is the longest soon as possible. amount of time it should take, and you should try to achieve your move to the next • You develop a fast, slow or irregular heart beat step in the shortest time possible.

• You have an allergic reaction to the microtab such as rash, itching or swelling of the Make sure you read the instructions for each tongue, mouth or throat (go straight to step in the information which follows. casualty if severe) Preparation 12 weeks Gradually
• You experience seizures (fits) (3 months) reduce usage Effects related to stopping Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 smoking/vaping (nicotine withdrawal) Step 1: Set a date to quit and stop You may experience unwanted effects smoking/vaping cigarettes/e-cigarettes. because by stopping smoking/vaping you Step 2: Use 1 or 2 microtabs every hour have reduced the amount of nicotine you are to relieve your cravings. See the dosage taking. You may also experience these effects table to decide how many microtabs are if you use too few microtabs before you are suitable for you to use. ready to reduce your nicotine intake. Use the microtabs for up to 12 weeks These effects include: (3 months) to relieve your cravings to
• Irritability or aggression, feeling low, anxiety, smoke/vape. restlessness Step 3: Start reducing the number of
• Poor concentration, urges to smoke (craving), microtabs you use each day. Once you night time awakening or sleep disturbance reach only one or two microtabs each day
• Increased appetite or weight gain you should try to stop completely.
• Lowering of heart rate If you need to use the microtabs for longer
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, blurry vision, than a total of 9 months, ask your doctor, nausea pharmacist or nurse for advice.
• Cough You might feel a sudden craving to
• Constipation smoke/vape long after you have given up
• Bleeding gums smoking/vaping and stopped using the
• Mouth ulcers Boots NicAssist Microtabs. Remember you • Swelling of the nasal passages and back of can use NRT again if this should happen. the throat Effects of too much nicotine Children of 12 to 17 years You may also get these effects if you are not See the following diagram, which shows the used to inhaling tobacco smoke or vaping. basic step by step process. The time given You may be able to relieve these effects by in steps 2 and 3 are the longest time using the microtabs less often. possible it should take, and you should try to achieve your move to the next step in the These effects include: shortest amount of time. The total amount
• Feeling faint, feeling sick (nausea), headache of time taken to stop smoking/vaping Side effects of the microtab should not exceed 12 weeks. Very common side effects: Make sure you read the instructions for each (more than 1 in every 10 people are affected) step in the information that follows.
• Headache
• Throat irritation Preparation 8 weeks 4 weeks
• Hiccups, feeling sick (2 months) (1 month) Common side effects: Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 (less than 1 in every 10 people are affected)
• Allergic reactions Step 1: Set a date to quit and stop
• Inflammation of the nose such as a runny, smoking/vaping cigarettes/e-cigarettes. itchy, blocked nose Step 2: Use 1 or 2 microtabs every hour • Burning sensation in the mouth, dizziness, to relieve your cravings. See the dosage taste changes, pins and needles table to decide how many microtabs are
• Cough suitable for you to use.
• Sore mouth or throat Use the microtabs for up to 8 weeks (2
• Palpitations months) to relieve your cravings to
• Stomach pain, heartburn, diarrhoea, wind smoke/vape.
• Dry mouth, being sick, increase in saliva, Step 3: Start reducing the number of inflammation of the mouth microtabs you use each day over the
• Feeling tired next 4 week period. Once you reach only Uncommon side effects: one or two microtabs each day you should (less than 1 in every 100 people are affected) try to stop completely.
• Abnormal dreams You should make sure that you do this
• Changes in heart rhythm (you may notice a within 4 weeks. fast heart rate or beat) If you need to use the microtabs for longer
• Flushing, high blood pressure than the 12 weeks (3 months), ask your
• Throat tightness, difficulty breathing, doctor, pharmacist or nurse for advice. shortness of breath
• Hoarseness of the voice, sneezing, nasal Stopping gradually congestion The idea is to start gradually replacing some • Belching, inflammation of the tongue, mouth of your cigarettes/e-cigarettes with the ulcers, tingling mouth microtabs. After achieving this you then give • Itching, skin rash, hives, excess sweating up cigarettes/e-cigarettes completely while
• Jaw pain using the microtabs. Finally you give up
• Generally feeling unwell or weak, chest pains using the microtabs. Rare side effects: There is a difference in how you stop (less than 1 in every 1,000 people are depending on whether you are aged affected) between 12 and 17 years or 18 years and
• Swelling of the mouth, lips, throat and over. Make sure you follow the age range tongue, swelling and itching of the skin applicable to you. (allergic reaction)
• Difficulty swallowing, retching, mouth feeling Adults of 18 years and over numb See the following diagram which shows the Very rare side-effects: basic step by step process. The time given (less than 1 in 10,000 people are affected) for steps 2 and 3 are the longest it should
• Abnormal beating of the heart take, and you should try to achieve your move to the next step in the shortest time Side effects with unknown frequency: possible.
• Severe allergic reaction, redness of the skin Make sure you read the instructions for each • Blurred vision, watery eyes step in the information which follows.
• Dry throat, stomach discomfort, lip pain
• Tightness of the jaw Preparation 24 weeks 12 weeks Gradually (6 months) (3 months) reduce usage • A fast and irregular heartbeat (atrial fibrillation) When you stop smoking you may also Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 develop mouth ulcers. The reason why this happens is unknown. Step 1: Work out how many cigarettes/ e-cigarettes you smoke/vape per day. Reporting side effects Set a date to start reducing the number If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, of cigarettes/e-cigarettes you smoke/vape. pharmacist or nurse. This includes any

Possible side effects

not listed in this leaflet. Step 2: Start reducing. Over the next few You can also report side effects directly via months reduce the number of cigarettes/ the Yellow Card Scheme at: e-cigarettes you smoke/vape by using 1 or 2 www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for microtabs every hour to relieve your cravings. MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or See the dosage table to decide how many Apple App Store. By reporting side effects microtabs are suitable for you to use. you can help provide more information on the If after 6 weeks you have not reduced the safety of this medicine. number of cigarettes/e-cigarettes you smoke/vape, ask your doctor, pharmacist or

How to store it

and dispose of nurse for advice. this medicine You should aim to stop smoking/vaping Keep this medicine in a safe place out of the completely by six months from the sight and reach of children and animals, beginning of treatment. preferably in a locked cupboard. Nicotine in high doses can be very dangerous Step 3: Stop smoking/vaping. Cut out all and sometimes fatal if used or swallowed by cigarettes/e-cigarettes and continue using children. the microtabs for up to 3 months to relieve Use the medicine by the date on the carton your cravings to smoke/vape. and keep it in the original pack. Step 4: Start reducing the use of the Do not store above 25°C. microtabs. You should try to use fewer Store it in the original package. microtabs each day. When you are using Dispose of any unused microtabs sensibly only one or two microtabs per day, you and away from children and animals. should stop completely. If you need to use the product for longer What is in this medicine than 9 months, ask your doctor, pharmacist This pack contains 100 microtabs in blister or nurse for advice. strips of 10s. Each microtab contains nicotine 2 mg, which is the active ingredient. You might feel a sudden craving to smoke/ As well as the active ingredient, these microtabs vape long after you have given up smoking/ also contain ß-cyclodextrin, crospovidone, vaping and stopped using the microtabs. colloidal silica and magnesium stearate. Remember you can use NRT again if this should happen.

Children of 12 to 17 years

Children should follow the guide to stopping immediately. The recommended duration of NRT in children is 12 weeks maximum. The only time children should stop gradually is if they are having a problem stopping immediately. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before attempting to stop gradually. If you use too many microtabs: You may get the following symptoms – nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, increased salivation, pain in your stomach, diarrhoea, sweating, headache, dizziness, hearing disturbance or weakness. If this happens contact a doctor or hospital casualty department straight away. Take the medicine and this leaflet with you. If an adult accidentally swallows a single microtab it is unlikely to have an adverse effect. You may feel sick or be sick. If a child under 12 accidentally uses, swallows, sucks or chews some of this medicine take them to casualty immediately. Take the medicine and this leaflet with you. Nicotine ingestion by a child may cause severe poisoning.

Who makes this medicine

This product is manufactured for The Boots Company PLC, Nottingham, NG2 3AA by McNeil AB, Helsingborg, Sweden. The Marketing Authorisation holder is McNeil Products Limited, 1 Station Hill Square, Station Hill, Reading, RG1 1LN, UK This leaflet was last revised March 2026 If you would like any further information about this product, please contact The Boots Company PLC, Nottingham, NG2 3AA.

Other formats

To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, large print or audio please call, free of charge: 0800 198 5000 (UK only) Please be ready to give the following information: Product name: Boots NicAssist 2 mg Microtab Reference number: 15513/0178 This is a service provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People