Nicotine Patches

Nicotine patches, like all nicotine replacement therapy, reduces withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine cravings, associated with smoking cessation. Nicotine patches are small, skin toned or clear patches which contain nicotine. Nicotine patches are discreet to use and are often better tolerated and easier to use than nicotine gum or nicotine lozenges.

How it Works

The nicotine from patches passes through the skin and into the body. Nicotine patches are made of special materials that control how fast and how much nicotine passes through the skin. The amount of nicotine released into the body remains relatively smooth throughout the period you wear the patch.

Which Strength to Choose

Nicotine patches come in 3 steps with varying strengths; high, medium and low strengths. Heavy smokers with moderate to high dependence should use 3 steps and lighter smokers with low to moderate dependence can use 2 steps. Read about nicotine dependence.

Heavy smokers should start with Step 1 (highest strength) and use 1 patch a day and taper down after 10 to 12 weeks. Lighter smokers should start with Step 2 and use 1 patch a day and taper down after 10 to 12 weeks.

If you experience side effects, like nausea, consider changing to a lower strength patch.

How to Use

Before you start using any nicotine replacement therapy, you should stop smoking completely.

How and when to apply a nicotine patch:

• One new patch should be applied every 24 hours.*
• Apply the patch to skin that is dry, clean and hairless**.
• Apply the patch to the upper body or outer part of the upper arm.
• Remove backing from patch and immediately press onto skin. Hold for 10 seconds.
• Wash hands after applying or removing a nicotine patch.

* The used patch should be removed and a new one applied to a different skin site at the same time each day. Discard the used patch in the enclosed disposal tray. Make sure to keep the patches (new or used) out of reach of children.

** if hair is in the way, use clippers or scissors to trim the hair, don't shave or wax.

Patches may be worn for 16 to 24 hours, both wear times are equally effective in reducing nicotine cravings. As a guide, if you crave cigarettes when you wake up, wear the patch for 24 hours. If you experience vivid dreams, you may remove the patch at bedtime and apply a new patch in the morning (wear the nicotine patch for 16 hours).

Nicotine patches and other nicotine replacement therapies are designed to be tapered down. Here is a guide on when to taper down when starting on Step 1 (for heavy smokers):

Week 1 to 6	Use 1 Step 1 patch every day
Week 7 to 8	Use 1 Step 2 patch every day
Week 9 to 10	Use 1 Step 3 patch every day

Here is a guide on when to taper down when starting on Step 2 (for lighter smokers):

Week 1 to 6	Use 1 Step 2 patch every day
Week 7 to 10	Use 1 Step 3 patch every day

Cautions

While using nicotine patches:

• do not wear more than one patch at a time
• do not cut patch in half or into smaller pieces
• do not leave patch on for more than 24 hours because it may
• irritate your skin
• lose strength after 24 hours

Stop using nicotine patches if:

• skin redness caused by the patch does not go away after four days
• your skin swells
• you get a rash
• you experience nicotine overdose symptoms:
• nausea
• vomiting
• dizziness
• weakness
• rapid heartbeat