Accidentally Swallowed a Nicotine Pouch? What to Expect and Do

Swallowing a ZYN pouch may cause mild nausea, stomach discomfort, hiccups, and nothing more. Serious effects are rare unless multiple pouches are swallowed or the user is sensitive to nicotine.

But now that it’s inside your body, you have to understand how your body processes the pouch and absorbs the nicotine.

This straightforward guide explains exactly what happens in your body, what to expect, and when you should seek medical help, among other questions you may have. Keep reading to find the answers!

Is it Bad to Swallow a Nicotine Pouch?

You should never intentionally swallow nicotine pouches. But if you accidentally swallow a nicotine pouch, there is usually no need for serious concern.

Ironically, the oral tissues in your mouth rapidly absorb 50-80% of nicotine in the pouch. But your stomach only absorbs 10-20% of the nicotine because the acid breaks it down.

Therefore, by accidentally swallowing a pouch, you reduce the risk of experiencing severe nicotine-related side effects as compared to keeping it in your mouth for the same duration!

Symptoms After Accidentally Swallowing a Nicotine Pouch

When you accidentally swallow a ZYN, Velo, LOOP, or On! Pouch, you might experience these symptoms based on the nicotine strength:

Low strength pouches (2-6mg):

• Mild stomach discomfort lasting 15-30 minutes
• Slight dizziness
• Brief hiccups

Medium strength pouches (6-15mg):

• Nausea lasting 30-60 minutes
• Noticeable dizziness
• Heartburn or acid reflux
• Increased saliva production

High-strength pouches (15+ mg):

• Intense nausea lasting 1-2 hours
• Pronounced dizziness
• Possible vomiting
• Increased heart rate (10-15 beats above normal)
• Cold sweats

Most symptoms resolve without medical intervention within 30-120 minutes as your body processes the nicotine.

Is There a Difference If You Swallow Different Nicotine Pouches?

The difference in accidentally swallowing a specific nicotine pouch brand has to do with the strength level each brand is known for. The higher the mg per pouch, the higher the symptoms and risk level. 

Below is a comparison of the different brands and factors that contribute to their respective risk levels:

What Happens if You Accidentally Swallow a ZYN Pouch?

When you accidentally swallow a ZYN nicotine pouch, which you normally place between your upper lip and gum, your body processes it through several steps:

• The pouch enters your stomach, where acids begin breaking it down
• The human liver metabolizes nicotine primarily through the CYP2A6 enzyme pathway
• Adult bodies clear half of the consumed nicotine within approximately 2 hours
• The pouch material continues through your digestive system and is eliminated naturally

Unlike other nicotine pouches, ZYN’s nicotine absorption process is very different compared to normal use. It contains plant-based fibers that pass through the digestive tract without causing blockages.

What Should You Do if You Swallow a ZYN by Accident?

Follow these steps based on severity:

For mild reactions (low-strength pouches):

• Drink 1-2 glasses of water
• Eat a small snack to settle your stomach
• Rest for 30-60 minutes until symptoms pass

For moderate reactions (medium-strength pouches):

• Drink 2-3 glasses of water
• Sit or lie down in a comfortable position
• Monitor symptoms for up to 2 hours
• Contact poison control if symptoms worsen

For severe reactions (high-strength pouches):

• Call poison control: 1-800-222-1222 (US)
• Do not induce vomiting unless directed by professionals
• Have someone stay with you to monitor symptoms
• Seek emergency care if experiencing a rapid heartbeat, confusion, or severe vomiting

Why People Accidentally Swallow Nicotine Pouches

Many ZYN and nicotine pouch users accidentally swallow their pouches in these common scenarios:

• Falling asleep with a pouch in your mouth
• Drinking beverages and forgetting about the pouch
• Pouch shifting position during talking or yawning
• New user inexperience with proper placement
• Multiple pouches make it hard to track each one

Understanding how these accidents happen helps prevent future occurrences. 

Is Nicotine Poisoning Possible from Swallowing One Pouch?

Nicotine poisoning usually requires ingesting much larger amounts of nicotine than what's found in a single pouch. 

The toxic threshold for nicotine in adults is approximately 0.5-1mg per kg of body weight. 

For a 70kg (154lb) adult, this means 35-70mg of absorbed nicotine could cause poisoning. 

Since stomach absorption is only 10-20% efficient, even a 50mg pouch would likely deliver below toxic levels for most adults. Even super strong nicotine pouches generally contain nicotine levels below the toxic threshold for adults when only one is swallowed.

Symptoms of severe nicotine overdosing and poisoning (confusion, extreme dizziness, rapid heartbeat, repeated vomiting) are highly unlikely from swallowing just one pouch of standard strength. However, using multiple pouches simultaneously significantly increases the risk.

What If a Child or Pet Swallows a Nicotine Pouch?

Children and pets are especially vulnerable to nicotine due to their lower body weight and different metabolism. 

Below are things you should do if your child or your pet dog swallows a nicotine pouch:

• Rinse their mouth right away
• Do not induce vomiting
• Call emergency services immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to develop
• For pets, contact your veterinarian or animal poison control
• Save the product packaging for medical professionals

For a 10kg (22lb) child, even a single 6mg nicotine pouch can potentially reach toxic levels when absorbed. The situation is even more dangerous with stronger pouches.

Always store nicotine pouches securely and out of reach of children and pets. Use childproof containers and keep pouches in high cabinets or locked storage. For detailed storage guidelines, check our guide on how to store and keep nicotine pouches fresh.

Can You Swallow the Saliva from Nicotine Pouches?

Swallowing saliva during pouch use is safe for most people. In fact, swallowing ZYN and nicotine pouch spit enhances the experience of using the product. 

However, if you experience discomfort when swallowing nicotine-infused saliva, try a lower strength pouch. You might also want to spit more frequently or place the pouch in a different position under your lip.

How to Prevent Accidentally Swallowing Nicotine Pouches

Take these precautions to avoid accidental ingestion:

• Place pouches properly under your upper lip, pressing firmly to secure them
• Avoid eating or drinking heavily while using nicotine pouches
• Remove pouches before sleeping
• Never chew nicotine pouches. Consider specially designed loose snus or chewing products instead
• Use one pouch at a time until you're experienced. The number of pouches you can use in a day depends on various factors
• Dispose of used pouches safely and securely in trash receptacles. ZYN, for instance, is not fully biodegradable, so you need to dispose of them properly
• Consider using an Upper Decky lip pillow for better pouch stability

Accidentally Swallowed Nicotine Pouch FAQs

What are four signs of nicotine poisoning?

Four common signs of nicotine poisoning are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and rapid heartbeat. Other symptoms may include sweating, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures or respiratory failure. Effects appear quickly, especially with high doses.

How do you flush nicotine out fast?

Flush nicotine out faster by drinking plenty of water, exercising to boost metabolism, and eating antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. These steps help your liver process and eliminate nicotine more efficiently.

How quickly does nicotine poisoning go away?

Nicotine poisoning symptoms usually go away within 1 to 4 hours in mild cases. Severe cases may require medical treatment and can last up to 24 hours. Recovery depends on dose, duration, and individual health.

Can nicotine pouches damage your mouth?

Nicotine pouches can damage your mouth by causing gum irritation, recession, and sores with frequent use. Extended contact with the same area increases the risk of oral tissue damage. Dentists recommend rotating placement and limiting use.

Verdict: Swallowing a Nicotine Pouch by Accident is Generally Safe

To synthesize everything that’s discussed above:

• Swallowing one low-to-medium strength nicotine pouch by accident rarely causes lasting harm, but it should be avoided
• Symptoms vary based on pouch strength but typically resolve within 30-120 minutes
• Severe nicotine poisoning from a single standard-strength pouch is highly unlikely for adults
• Call emergency services right away if a child or pet swallows any nicotine pouch
• Swallowing saliva during use is safe for most users
• Proper placement and careful use are the best prevention methods
• Store all nicotine products securely away from children and pets

Whether you’ve ingested a nicotine pouch by accident or not, this shouldn’t prevent you from getting your regular fix of the best ZYN pouches available. We at Snusdaddy are here to stock you with a variety of pouches that’ll give the nicotine buzz you need!