- How Smoking Affects Your Looks & Life Slideshow
- Tips to Quit Smoking Slideshow
- Take the Quiz on Smoking
- What is the nicotine patch, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- What brand names are available for for nicotine patches?
- Is the nicotine patch available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for a nicotine patch?
- What are the uses for the nicotine patch?
- What are the side effects of the nicotine patch?
- What is the dosage for the nicotine patch?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with nicotine patches?
- What else should I know about nicotine patches?
What is the nicotine patch, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Nicotine patches are used for smoking cessation. Nicotine is released from the patches and absorbed through the skin. Released nicotine binds to nicotine receptors in the body, reducing nicotine craving and withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation. The FDA approved the grit nicotine patch in November 1991.
What are the uses for the nicotine patch?
Nicotine patches are used to control nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings associated with smoking cessation.
What is the dosage for the nicotine patch?
Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day:
- Step 1: Use one 21 mg patch per day for weeks 1 to 6 then,
- Step 2: Use one 14 mg patch per day for weeks 7 to 8 then,
- Step 3: Use one 7 mg patch per day for weeks 9 to 10 then stop.
Smoking 10 or less cigarettes per day:
- Do not use Step 1 (21 mg)
- Start with Step 2: Use one 14 mg patch per day for weeks 1 to 6 then,
- Step 3: Use one 7 mg patch per day for weeks 7 to 8 then stop.
Apply one new patch every 24 hours to dry, clean, hairless skin. Patients may wear the patch for 16 to 24 hours. Do not wear one patch for more than 24 hours due to chances of skin irritation and loss of effectiveness of patch.
Which drugs or supplements interact with nicotine patches?
Nicotine patches may cause palpitations and abnormal heart rate. Patches should be used with caution in patients who take medications for abnormal heart rhythm.
What else should I know about nicotine patches?
What preparations of nicotine-patch are available?
Nicotine patches are available in doses of: 21 mg (Step 1), 14 mg (Step 2), and 7 mg (Step 3) per patch. Each patch delivers nicotine over 24 hours.
How should I keep nicotine-patch stored?
Nicotine patches should be stored at room temperature, 20 C to 25 C (68 F to 77 F).

QUESTION
What is the average weight gain for those who quit smoking? See AnswerSummary
Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ, Habitrol) is a prescription medication used for assistance in smoking cessation. Side effects, drug interactions, dosage, and pregnancy safety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
Multimedia: Slideshows, Images & Quizzes
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25 Effects of Smoking on Your Looks and Life
Cigarette smoking can affect your looks and moods. But did you know smoking also affects your heart, causes wrinkles, and...
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How to Quit Smoking: 13 Tips to End Addiction
One of the best ways to improve your health is to quit smoking. These practical tips to help you quit smoking have been shown to...
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COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Quiz
COPD is a combination of three conditions? Take this quiz to learn the three conditions that make up the pulmonary disease called...
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Smoking Quiz: How to Quit Smoking
You know it's time you quit smoking. Learn the myths and facts about quitting smoking with the Smoking Quiz. When it comes to...
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How to Quit Smoking Without Weight Gain
Learn how to avoid weight gain while quitting smoking. Explore what causes weight gain after quitting smoking. See lifestyle...
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Effects of Secondhand Smoke: Facts
The effects of secondhand smoke can be hazardous to your health. Secondhand smoke can lead to lung cancer, heart disease, and...
Related Disease Conditions
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Lung Cancer
Lung cancer kills more men and women than any other form of cancer. Eight out of 10 lung cancers are due to tobacco smoke. Lung cancers are classified as either small-cell or non-small-cell lung cancers.
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Smoker's Lung: Pathology Photo Essay
Smoker's lung photo essay is a collection of pictures and microscopic slides of lung disease caused by cigarette smoking. Smoker's lung refers to the diseases and structural abnormalities in the lung caused by cigarette smoking.
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Vaping: e-Cigarette and Marijuana Vape Risks
Vaping or e-cigarettes are smokable products that use refillable or replaceable cartridges or containers that contain a liquid composed of nicotine, chemical flavors, and other compounds. The cartridges used during vaping contains nicotine, therefore vaping is addictive. In low doses vaping, can cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In higher doses, vaping can cause more serious side effects like popcorn lung, seizures, coma, cancer, and death. The FDA regulates the manufacturing, import, packaging, labeling, advertising, promotion, sale, and distribution of electronic delivery systems like e-cigarettes.
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COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung condition caused by smoking tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke, and/or air pollutants. Conditions that accompany COPD include chronic bronchitis, chronic cough, and emphysema. Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic cough. Treatment of COPD includes GOLD guidelines, smoking cessation, medications, and surgery. The life expectancy of a person with COPD depends on the stage of the disease.
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Emphysema
Emphysema is a COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) that often occurs with other obstructive pulmonary problems and chronic bronchitis. Causes of emphysema include chronic cigarette smoking, exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, and in the underdeveloped parts of the world. Symptoms of emphysema include chronic cough, chest discomfort, breathlessness, and wheezing. Treatments include medication and lifestyle changes.
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Lung Anatomy
The lungs are primarily responsible for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the air we breathe and the blood. Eliminating carbon dioxide from the blood is important, because as it builds up in the blood, headaches, drowsiness, coma, and eventually death may occur. The air we breathe in (inhalation) is warmed, humidified, and cleaned by the nose and the lungs.
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Oral Cancer
The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, pain upon swallowing, a lump in the neck, earache, and a sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal are all symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the staging of the disease and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
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Smoking (How to Quit Smoking)
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
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Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke can cause illness and disease in nonsmokers. Some of these conditions include lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, SIDS, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Learn how you can protect yourself and your family from secondhand smoke exposure in the home environment and workplace.
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Smoking During Pregnancy
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or stillbirth, low birth weight or premature birth, and more. Secondhand smoke also increases your baby's risk of developing: lung cancer, heart diseases, emphysema, asthma, allergies, and SIDS.
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Weight Control and Smoking Cessation
One concern smokers have when considering quitting smoking is weight gain. Not everyone will gain weight when they stop smoking. There are lifestyle changes that can be made to avoid weight gain during smoking cessation. Lifestyle changes include regular exercise, proper nutrition, limiting snacking and alcohol, medication, and weight management counseling.
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Smoking and Heart Disease
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease in women and men. Nicotine in cigarettes decrease oxygen to the heart, increases blood pressure, blood clots, and damages coronary arteries. Learn how to quit smoking today, to prolong your life.
Treatment & Diagnosis
Medications & Supplements
Prevention & Wellness
- Want to Stop Smoking? Gums, Patches, Sprays or Counseling May Help
- Vaping Beats Nicotine Patch, Gum in Helping Smokers Quit
- E-Cigarettes, Nicotine Patch During Pregnancy May Hike SIDS Risk
- Drug May Help Women Who Quit Smoking Avoid Weight Gain
- Smoking After Stroke Triples Risk of Death Within Year: Study
- Mom's Nicotine Patch May Raise Baby's Risk for Colic
- Life After Cigarettes Is Happier: Study
- Long-Term Treatment May Be Best Way to Help Smokers Quit
Latest Lungs News
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REFERENCE:
FDA Prescribing Information.