Generic Name: Nicotine Patch (nik oh TEEN)
Brand Name: Nicoderm CQ
Brand Name: Nicoderm CQ
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 14, 2019.
Under your doctor’s discretion you can wear more than 1 nicotine patch at a time. Your doctor can collaborate with you on whether it’s best to wear two 21mg patches, or wear one 21mg patch with a 14mg or 7mg patch. For tobacco users it’s generally recommended to use the patches for 8-12 weeks. So, using half a patch is quite safe. It may not work, though. The problem with nicotine is that there is a factor 10x variation in tolerance to it. That is to say, an amount sufficient to do the required job for one person can be up to ten times too weak, or too strong, for a person at the other end of the scale. Allergic Reactions to Nicotine Patches. Nicotine patches can help you kick the cigarette habit and abandon smoking forever. When you’re trying to quit smoking, nicotine patches can help ease withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, cravings, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Despite being helpful, the patches can also cause a number of side effects, including allergic reactions. The problem with nicotine is that there is a factor 10x variation in tolerance to it. That is to say, an amount sufficient to do the required job for one person can be up to ten times too weak, or too strong, for a person at the other end of the scale.
Uses of Nicotine Patch:
- It is used to treat nicotine withdrawal.
- It is used to curb the craving to smoke.
What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Nicotine Patch?
- If you have an allergy to nicotine or any other part of nicotine patch.
- If you are allergic to any drugs like this one, any other drugs, foods, or other substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had, like rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
- If you have any of these health problems: Chest pain or pressure, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, or a recent heart attack.
- If you still smoke, chew tobacco, or use other products that have nicotine while using nicotine patch.
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with nicotine patch.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take nicotine patch with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Nicotine Patch?
- Tell all of your health care providers that you take nicotine patch. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
- Get counseling to help you quit smoking.
- Do not use more than told. Unsafe side effects may happen.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking another drug to help you stop smoking.
- Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how nicotine patch affects you.
- If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
- When you stop smoking, other drugs may be affected. Talk with your doctor.
- Tell your doctor if you have not been able to quit smoking after using nicotine patch for as long as it says to use it.
- The patch may have metal. Take off the patch before an MRI.
- If you have strange dreams or other trouble sleeping, take off the patch at bedtime.
- This medicine may cause harm if chewed or swallowed. If nicotine patch has been put in the mouth, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
- This medicine may cause harm or be deadly if used or swallowed by children or pets. If a child uses nicotine patch or if nicotine patch is swallowed by a child or pet, call a doctor or poison control center right away.
- If you are 65 or older, use nicotine patch with care. You could have more side effects.
- This medicine may cause harm to the unborn baby if you take it while you are pregnant. If you are pregnant or you get pregnant while taking nicotine patch, call your doctor right away.
- Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.
How is this medicine (Nicotine Patch) best taken?
Use nicotine patch as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
- The patch comes in 3 doses. If you smoke 11 or more cigarettes a day start with the 21 mg patch (step 1). If you smoke 10 or less cigarettes a day start with the 14 mg patch (step 2).
- Put patch on clean, dry, healthy skin on the chest, back, belly, or upper arm. Move the site with each new patch.
- Put patch on a site without hair.
- Wash your hands after use.
- Each patch can stay on for 16 to 24 hours. If you crave cigarettes when you wake up, wear the patch for 24 hours.
- Do not leave on the skin for more than 24 hours.
- Do not put on more than 1 patch at a time.
- Do not use patches that are cut or do not look right.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
- Use a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
- If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
- Do not use 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
See also:
Nicotine dosage information (in more detail)
What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of high blood pressure like very bad headache or dizziness, passing out, or change in eyesight.
- Mood changes.
- Feeling confused.
- Chest pain or pressure, a fast heartbeat, or an abnormal heartbeat.
- A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
- Dizziness.
- Upset stomach or throwing up.
- Diarrhea.
- Drooling.
- Shakiness.
- Feeling tired or weak.
- Cold sweats.
- Blurred eyesight.
- Change in hearing.
What are some other side effects of Nicotine Patch?
All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:
- Trouble sleeping.
- Bad dreams.
- Feeling nervous and excitable.
- Headache.
- Joint pain.
- Back pain.
- Irritation where nicotine patch is used.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
How do I store and/or throw out Nicotine Patch?
- Store at room temperature.
- Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
- Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.
- After you take off a skin patch, be sure to fold the sticky sides of the patch to each other. Throw away used patches where children and pets cannot get to them.
Smoking With Nicotine Patch On
Consumer information use
- If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
- Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
- Keep a list of all your drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your doctor.
- Talk with the doctor before starting any new drug, including prescription or OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
- Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about nicotine patch, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Related questions
More about nicotine
- During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
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Professional resources
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On the surface,chewing a couple of pieces of nicotine gum every day is much better than smoking. Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemical compounds; 250 of which are known to be poisonous, and upwards of 70 that have been identified as carcinogenic.
We also know that inhaling secondhand smoke is hazardous, and for a smoker, it's a double whammy because we breathe in both mainstream and sidestream smoke. It puts us at risk for heart disease, COPD, and cancer for starters. Research is ongoing – we don't yet fully understand all of the dangers that cigarette smoke presents.
Nicotine Can Hurt Your Health
That said, while cigarette smoke is worse than nicotine alone, nicotine is not a harmless drug. There is growing concern that long-term use of nicotine may contribute to cancer. Nicotine also affects how our bodies function — it puts stress on the heart and increases blood pressure.
Nicotine harms the linings of our arteries which leads to the build-up of plaque, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Additionally, nicotine suppresses insulin output creating a hyperglycemic condition in smokers.
Nicotine Can Hurt Your Happiness, Too
While it's true that the amount of nicotine you're getting daily from the gum is small when compared to smoking, don't forget that nicotine is addictive. Regardless of how much or how little you're using, you're still feeding an active addiction.
The message you're sending to yourself is that you can't live without nicotine — that you're not strong enough to give nicotine up completely.
Recovery Takes Time
Recovery from this addiction involves learning how to deal with life's ups and downs nicotine-free. If you remain dependent on nicotine, regardless of the form it comes in, you run an increased risk of a smoking relapse. Additionally, as is the case with habit-forming drugs, your tolerance for nicotine will increase over time and so will your intake.
When the right (or wrong) situation presents itself, you may find it's a short jump to lighting up when a piece of nicotine gum isn't handy or just doesn't do the trick in taking the edge off. Stressful situations will continue to trigger the urge for nicotine until you clear it out of your system and learn new ways of coping.
When the right (or wrong) situation presents itself, you may find it's a short jump to lighting up when a piece of nicotine gum isn't handy or just doesn't do the trick in taking the edge off. Stressful situations will continue to trigger the urge for nicotine until you clear it out of your system and learn new ways of coping.
Don't let the junkie thinking that comes with nicotine withdrawal convince you to keep using. If you managed to stop smoking, you can go one step further and eliminate your dependence on therapeutic nicotine as well.
Quitting Nicotine Completely
Work out a realistic plan to wean yourself off of nicotine gum.
If you're chewing 2 or 3 pieces of nicotine gum per day, start by eliminating just one piece. If there are specific times of the day that you use the gum, e.g. first thing in the morning, after meals, etc, choose the one that is the easiest to let go. Substitute a piece of sugar-free gum or a snack instead, and have a plan for a distracting activity should you need it.
Once you are comfortable with the new regimen, repeat the process with the second piece of nicotine gum and then the third until you are off of it completely.
It doesn't matter how much time (within reason) that you take between each elimination. Step down when you are feeling comfortable, always keeping your goal in mind.
We weren't born using nicotine. It is possible to leave it behind for good and get on with your life, comfortably addiction-free.
We weren't born using nicotine. It is possible to leave it behind for good and get on with your life, comfortably addiction-free.
Don't Be Afraid to Let People Know What's Going on With You
![Patch Patch](/uploads/1/2/4/7/124781785/979489102.jpg)
Ask for support, and the load you're bearing will become much lighter. You'll be surprised at how understanding folks are. Don't feel ashamed. You are not the first person who has ever had this problem — far from it.
You deserve a life that is free of nicotine addiction. Believe in yourself — you are strong enough to get nicotine out of your body and out of your life.
And not the manufacturer. Is not an authorized distributor or representative for the listed manufacturers and makes no representations as to any quality control performed by any listed manufacturer on the products. Ge fanuc versa pro software. PDF Electric & Supply Inc.
If NRTs Can Be Addictive, Should You Avoid Using Them?
Nicotine Patch And Smoking Together
No, but use care with this quit aid. All forms of NRT except for the nicotine patch are easy to misuse because you take a dose multiple times a day. The patch is the only NRT that is applied once in the morning and offers time-released nicotine throughout the day. We recommend it as our top NRT pick for this reason.
Nicotine Patch Vs Cigarette
NRTs have helped many thousands of smokers stop smoking successfully. Just remember that they are not intended for long-term use. Follow the manufacturer's directions exactly, and wean yourself off the NRT product of your choice in the time period suggested.