Nicotine Patches
Nicotine Patches
Nicotine Patches
Information Nicotine is the addictive chemical in tobacco. Why do people keep smoking?
for Patients Nicotine patches can help people quit smok-
ing when they are used with a program to People smoke cigarettes for many reasons.
help change their behavior. Because nicotine They become addicted to the nicotine.
patches decrease withdrawal symptoms and They develop habits like smoking when they
cravings, they can make it easier to quit. You drink coffee or while on the phone. Using
can buy nicotine patches over the counter a nicotine patch can help you change your
without a prescription. The brand names are habits and cut back on the amount of
Nicoderm CQ (original and clear) and Nico- nicotine you use.
trol. Store brands (generic) are also available.
How do you use a nicotine patch?
How does the nicotine patch work? Nicotine patches come in three strengths.
When you wear a patch, the nicotine passes You and your doctor can choose the strength
through your skin and into your bloodstream. that is right for you.
While in the bloodstream, it replaces some of Nicoderm CQ
the nicotine you were getting from smoking Nicoderm CQ and store brand patches
cigarettes. The patch puts less nicotine in your come in three strengths. They are labeled by
blood than cigarette smoking. But the nicotine how much nicotine your body absorbs in 24
in the blood is still high enough to decrease hours. The strengths are 21 milligrams per
cravings and withdrawal symptoms (such as ir- day (Step 1), 14 milligrams per day (Step 2),
ritability, frustration, anger, anxiety, difficulty and 7 milligrams per day (Step 3).
concentrating, and restlessness). Sticking with
the patch will increase your chances of success.
Nicotine patches do not have the harmful
carbon monoxide, tar, and other chemicals
that are in cigarettes.
continued
Nicotine Skin Patches
2 continued
Nicotine Skin Patches
Do not use more than one patch at a time. The makers of Nicotrol offer help. (A toll-free
phone number for the NicodermCQ support
Apply a new NicodermCQ patch every 24
program can be found in the product packaging.
hours. Leaving the same patch on for more
Web sites are www.nicoderm.com and www.com-
than 24 hours may irritate your skin. Also, the
mittedquitters.com .)
patches lose strength after 24 hours.
How to use Nicotrol
When you remove your NicodermCQ patch,
University of
fold it in half, sticky side in, and place it in the Nicotrol patches are worn while you are awake for
Pittsburgh
Medical Center disposal tray in your Nicoderm CQ box. 16 hours each day.
Information The makers of NicodermCQ offer help. A 1. Start with the 15 mg patch and use it for
for Patients 6 weeks.
toll-free phone number for the NicodermCQ
support program can be found in the product 2. After week 6, step down to the 10 mg patch and
packaging. Websites are www.nicoderm.com use it for 2 weeks.
and www.committedquitters.com .
3. Then step down again to the 5 mg patch and use
it for 2 weeks.
Using Nicotrol
Put on the Nicotrol patch when you get up in the
Nicotrol skin patches come in 3 strengths as morning. Nicotrol is worn while you are awake.
well. The strengths reflect how much nicotine For most people, this is about 16 hours. If you
the patch gives in 16 hours: 15 mg, 10 mg, work at night, you can still use Nicotrol according
and 5 mg. to your own daily schedule.
When you put on a Nicotrol patch, the nico- Save the pouch that the patch came in. When you
tine is gradually absorbed into your skin and take off your patch, fold it in half, sticky side in,
bloodstream over 16 hours. Use Nicotrol and place it back in the in the pouch for disposal.
when you get up in the morning. The amount
Remove the patch before you go to bed. After you
of nicotine in the blood builds up. It reaches
take the patch off, nicotine will still be in your
its highest level after approximately 5 to 10
bloodstream for several hours from the nicotine in
hours. Then there is a gradual drop in the
your skin.
amount of nicotine in the blood. When you
remove the patch, after 16 hours the level of Ask your doctor if you need to keep using the patch
nicotine slowly goes down. Nicotine can’t be after the set number of weeks.
found in your blood after 10 to 12 hours of
removing a patch.
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3
Nicotine Skin Patches
General Guidelines for Applying a Body creams, lotions, and sunscreens can also
Nicotine Patch cause the patch not to stick well. Do not put
creams or lotions on your skin where you will be
Choose a time of the day that works best for placing the patch.
you. Put on your first patch at this time, and
change the patch daily at the same time. If you If you are having trouble keeping the patch stuck
need to switch the time you change patches, to your skin, try using a non-allergic sticky tape
University of on top of it.
Pittsburgh
just take off the old patch and put on a new
Medical Center one. After that, put on patches at the new If your Nicoderm CQ patch comes off, you can
Information time. put on a new one. Then you can change the patch
for Patients Choose a clean, dry spot, with no hair on the again at your usual time. Or, you can switch the
upper part of your outer arm or the upper time you change your patch to be the time you
part of your body. Be sure to change the site applied the replacement. If your Nicotrol patch
you choose daily. Don’t go back to a previ- comes off, you can put on a new one. Choose a
ously used site for at least 1 week. Do not use different part of the skin that is clean and dry.
an area of skin that is oily, burned, broken out, The replacement patch should be removed as
cut, or irritated. Make sure there is no usual at bedtime.
lotion or soap on your skin before applying Nicotine patches are sensitive to heat. They must
the patch. not be kept in temperatures above 86 degrees F.
Once your patch is on, wash your hands. They should not be kept inside the car in the
Nicotine can get on your hands, and can irri- summer.
tate your eyes or nose if you touch them.
Water will not affect your patch. You can
exercise, bathe, shower, swim, or use a hot tub
while wearing nicotine patches.
If the soap you use contains lanolin or a
moisturizer, the patch may not stick well. Use
soap without lanolin or moisturizers.
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Nicotine Skin Patches
Side Effects You can remove the patch and tell your doctor
if you experience problems or symptoms that
The most common side effect is skin irrita- are bothering you, such as:
tion. When you first put on a patch, you
might feel a mild itching, burning, or tingling. • skin redness that does not go away
These feelings are normal and should go away after 4 days
within an hour. When you take off a patch, • skin swelling
University of the skin underneath might be somewhat red.
Pittsburgh • skin rash
The redness should go away within a day. If
Medical Center • irregular heartbeat or palpitations
you notice any skin reactions more severe or
Information long-lasting than these, do not put on a new
for Patients • symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as
patch and call your doctor. He or she may nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, and
prescribe something for you to put on the rapid heartbeat
irritated skin or something for you to take by
mouth, depending upon the reaction.
Other side effects could include insomnia,
abnormal dreams, nervousness, nausea, vom-
iting, upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea,
headaches, dizziness, weakness, irregular
heartbeat, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, and
body aches.
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Nicotine Skin Patches
Precautions • salivation
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Nicotine Skin Patches
7 continued
Nicotine skin patches
Online help
An online resource, www.smokefree.gov,
allows you to choose the type of help that is
right for you. This website offers:
• a step-by-step guide to quit smoking
• instant messaging to an expert at
University of
LiveHelp service
Pittsburgh
Medical Center • free articles and booklets that can be
Information downloaded, printed, or ordered
for Patients
At the hospital
If you are an inpatient at a UPMC hospital:
• Ask
your nurse if the hospital has the
UPMC patient education TV channel,
which features a video about quitting
smoking.
• Ask to talk one-on-one with a smoking
cessation counselor.
For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service
at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.
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Center 2007
SYS294410 JPL/LAS REV 5/07 This information is not intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You should not rely entirely on this information for
Form # 7894-82191-0507 your health care needs. Ask your own doctor or health care provider any specific medical questions that you have.