Nicotine Patches

Brand names: Habitrol, NicoDerm CQ, Nicotrol

Why is Nicotine Patches prescribed?

Nicotine patches, which are available under several brand names, are designed to help you quit smoking by reducing your craving for tobacco. Each adhesive patch contains a specific amount of nicotine embedded in a pad or gel.

Nicotine, the habit-forming ingredient in tobacco, is a stimulant and a mood lifter. When you give up smoking, lack of nicotine makes you crave cigarettes and may also cause anger, anxiety, concentration problems, irritability, frustration, or restlessness.

When you wear a nicotine patch, a specific amount of nicotine steadily travels out of the patch, through your skin, and into your bloodstream, keeping a constant low level of nicotine in your body. Although the resulting level of nicotine is less than you would get from smoking, it may be enough to keep you from craving cigarettes or experiencing other withdrawal symptoms.

Habitrol patches are round and come in three strengths: 21, 14, or 7 milligrams of nicotine per patch. You wear a Habitrol patch 24 hours a day.

NicoDerm CQ patches are rectangular and come in three strengths: 21, 14, or 7 milligrams of nicotine per patch. You wear a NicoDerm CQ patch 24 hours a day.

Nicotrol patches are rectangular and deliver 15 milligrams of nicotine per patch. You put on a Nicotrol patch in the morning, wear it all day, and remove it at bedtime. You do not use it when you sleep. Nicotrol is available over-the-counter.

Most important fact about Nicotine Patches

Nicotine patch therapy should be part of an overall stop-smoking program that also includes behavior modification, counseling, and support. The goal of the therapy should be complete cessation of smoking, not just "cutting down."

How should you use Nicotine Patches?

Use nicotine patches exactly as prescribed. The general procedure is as follows:

• Take a fresh patch out of its packaging and remove the protective liner from the adhesive. Save the wrapper for later disposal of the used patch.
• Stick the patch onto your outer upper arm or any clean, dry, non-hairy part of your trunk.
• Press the patch firmly onto your skin for about 10 seconds, making sure that the edges are sticking well.
• Wash your hands. Any nicotine sticking to your hands could get into your eyes or nose, causing irritation.
• After 16 or 24 hours (depending on the brand), remove that patch and apply a fresh patch to a different spot on your body. To reduce the chances of irritation, do not return to a previously used spot for at least a week.
• Fold the used patch in half, place it back in its own wrapper, and throw it in a trash container that cannot be reached by children or pets.