Too much nicotine: the side effects and what to do

If you feel sick, dizzy or shaky after vaping, you have probably taken in more nicotine than your body is used to. Stop vaping, get some fresh air, sip some water and rest. For most adults, mild symptoms like these ease once you stop.

If they do not ease, or you are worried, call NHS 111. If symptoms are severe, or anyone has swallowed e-liquid, call 999.

Signs of too much nicotine

The usual signs are:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• feeling dizzy or light-headed
• a headache
• a racing or pounding heart
• feeling sweaty, clammy, jittery or shaky

They tend to show up during a vaping session or soon after it. Treat them as a sign you have had more nicotine than your body is used to, and a cue to stop rather than something to push through.

Why it happens

• You have just started, or moved up a strength. Your body has not adjusted to the new level yet.
• Nic salts go down easily. Nicotine salts feel smoother on the throat at higher strengths than freebase nicotine, so it is easy to take more puffs than you realise.
• Chain vaping. Puffing almost non-stop, especially out of habit or boredom, adds up quickly.
• A more powerful setup. A bigger kit or a lower-resistance coil makes more vapour per puff. Keep the same strength and every puff carries more nicotine.
• The wrong liquid for the kit. A strong nic salt in a sub-ohm kit is an easy way to overdo it, because sub-ohm kits are built to make a lot of vapour.

What to do right now

1. Stop vaping

   Put the vape down and leave it alone until you feel back to normal.

2. Get some fresh air

   Step outside or open a window.

3. Drink some water

   Sip it slowly, especially if you feel sick.

4. Rest

   Sit or lie down until you feel steady. Do not drive while you feel dizzy.

5. Go lower next time

   When you vape again, use a lower strength or take fewer, gentler puffs.

When to get help

Call NHS 111 (or use NHS 111 online) if:

• your symptoms do not settle after you stop vaping and rest
• you keep being sick
• you are worried, or not sure what to do

Call 999 if:

• someone has chest pain, is struggling to breathe, has a fit (seizure) or collapses
• someone is very confused, very drowsy or hard to wake
• anyone has swallowed e-liquid, especially a child

For a pet, call your vet. If you have a heart condition, are pregnant or have other health concerns, speak to your GP, pharmacist or midwife about nicotine.

How to choose a nicotine strength

Strength is shown in mg/ml (milligrams of nicotine per millilitre of liquid). UK rules cap nicotine e-liquid at 20mg/ml. The right strength depends on how much you smoked and the kit you use.

3mgLight. Common in sub-ohm kits, which make a lot of vapour, and for anyone who wants a gentle hit

6mgLight to medium. Sub-ohm users who want a little more, or lighter smokers using a mouth-to-lung kit

10mgMedium. A common starting point for nic salts in a pod kit

20mgStrong. Usually for heavier smokers using a low-power, mouth-to-lung pod kit

A few rules of thumb:

• Match the strength to the device. Higher strengths belong in low-power, mouth-to-lung pod kits. Sub-ohm kits need much lower strengths.
• Aim for satisfied, not overloaded. Too strong and you get the signs above. Too weak and you may find yourself puffing constantly, which is not ideal either. The right strength satisfies you with a normal number of puffs.
• Change one thing at a time. If you move to a new kit or coil, review your strength at the same time.
• Drop a step if you get symptoms. If 20mg leaves you feeling rough, try 10mg.

For a fuller walkthrough, read how to pick the right nic salt strength without overdoing it.

Habits that keep nicotine in check

• Take proper breaks rather than keeping the vape in your hand all day.
• Notice when you are puffing out of boredom rather than a craving.
• Keep a lower-strength liquid for days you know you will vape a lot.
• Keep every bottle and pod capped and out of reach of children and pets.

Many adults use vapes to move away from smoking. If that is you and you would like support, the NHS Better Health quit smoking pages, your GP or a pharmacist can help.

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