The patch helps to lower cravings for cigarettes and vapes by supplying a constant level of nicotine to the blood stream through the skin. The patch comes in three dosages, and which one you use depends on your level of nicotine use.
Consider using this product if you:
- Would prefer the option for once-a-day use which provides a steady, consistent supply of nicotine throughout the day.
- Would like a discreet form of nicotine replacement, where no one can tell that you’re using it.
How it’s used:
- The patch must be used properly to be effective. Consult the instructions that are included in the package when you purchase the patch.
- The patch is attached to the skin like a bandage. You apply a new patch daily onto a dry, non-hairy area anywhere above the waistline and below the neck.
- There are patches that are meant to be worn for 24 hours and those that can be removed at night (16 hours).
- It is recommended to change the patch site daily to help prevent skin irritation.
- It is not recommended to cut a nicotine patch in half because that may make it ineffective.
Dosage:
- Patches comes in three levels – 21 mg (Step 1), 14 mg (Step 2), and 7 mg (Step 3).
Tip: To help with tough cravings, it may be helpful to use another forms of nicotine replacement along with the patch. This is called combination therapy.
Watch out for:
- Possible side effects may include headache, insomnia, dizziness, anxiety, irritability, fatigue, stomach upset and diarrhea. Some of these effects may be nicotine withdrawal symptoms or may be caused by the nicotine in the patch. Your dose may need to be adjusted.
- It is normal to experience mild itching, burning, or tingling when you first apply a patch, but this should disappear within an hour. If the skin under the patch becomes swollen or red, or if you develop a rash, remove the patch and call your health care provider.
