Nicotine: restrictions on the sale of substitutes until 11 May

Following the media coverage of a possible protective action of nicotine against Covid-19, it was decided, as a precaution, to temporarily limit the supply of nicotine replacement products in pharmacies and to suspend their sale on the Internet.

This order was issued to avoid the health risks associated with excessive consumption or misuse of these products, and to ensure their availability for patients treated for tobacco dependence.

Thus, until May 11, 2020, pharmacists will only dispense the number of boxes needed for a renewable one-month treatment of tobacco dependence. The number of boxes dispensed will be recorded in the pharmaceutical record, whether or not the patient has presented a medical prescription.

Internet sales of all nicotine replacement products are suspended for the same period.

On this occasion, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) recalls the rules of good use and the risks related to these medicines, their access being reserved to those who need them in the context of a smoking cessation.

Presented as patches, lozenges, or chewing gums, these nicotine-based drugs, like all drugs, have more serious side effects when taken by non-smokers. They can also be addictive.

Therefore, nicotine replacement should not be taken to prevent or treat Coronavirus infection.