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For smokers of greater than
10 cigarettes per day; regular smoking pattern
Nicotine patches provide a steady supply of nicotine to
the body and are most suitable for the moderately dependent
smoker, who smokes at regular intervals throughout the
day and who does not rely on the hand to mouth action
of smoking.
24-hour patches (explained below) may be of benefit to
those who smoke within 20 minutes of waking. Nicotine
patches are discreet and very easy to use.
Medical studies have shown that nicotine patches can reduce
symptoms of withdrawal including anger, dizziness, craving,
poor concentration, restlessness and adverse moods.
What types of nicotine patches
are available?
Both 16 hour (Nicorette™) and 24-hour (Nicotinell™
and NiQuitin CQ™) patches are available.
NiQuitin CQ™ is the newest product on the Irish market
and is available as 21mg/24 hours, 14mg/24 hours and 7
mg/ 24 hours. (21mg/24 hours indicates 21mg of nicotine
over a period 24 hours) Smokers of greater than 10 cigarettes
daily start on the 21mg patch daily for 6 weeks, followed
by the 14mg patch for 2 weeks and the 7mg patch for further
two weeks. Those who smoke less than 10 cigarettes daily,
start on the 14mg patch for 6 weeks followed by 2 weeks
using the 7mg patch.
Nicotinell™ patches are available as Nicotinell™
TTS30 (21mg/24 hours), Nicotinell™ TTS20 (14mg/24
hours) and Nicotinell™ TTS10 (7mg/24 hours). Those
who smoke 10 to 20 cigarettes daily should start on Nicotinell™
TTS20 for 3-4 weeks followed by Nicotinell™ TTS10
for a further 3-4 weeks. Those smoking greater than 20
cigarettes per day should start by using Nicotinell™
TTS30, reducing to Nicotinell™ TTS20 after 3-4 weeks
followed by Nicotinell™ TTS10 for 3-4 weeks.
Nicorette™ patches are available in strengths of
15mg/16 hours, 10mg/16 hours, and 5mg/16 hours, respectively,
providing a 16 hour supply of nicotine to correspond with
daily requirements. The usual course is 8 weeks using
the 15mg patches, 2 weeks on the 10mg patches and a further
2 weeks on the 5mg patches.
How to use nicotine patches
One patch is applied to a clean, dry, hairless area of
the body such as the upper arm, the front or side of the
chest or on the hip, each morning. A fresh area of skin
should be used each day. The patches should not be applied
to broken or inflamed skin. With the 24-hour patch a fresh
patch is applied every morning, while the 16 hour patch
is applied in the morning and removed before going to
bed.
There are no studies which demonstrate that there is any
significant difference between the 16 and the 24-hour
patches. It has been reported that there may be a lower
incidence of sleep disturbances associated with the 16
hour, while the 24-hour patch may be of greater benefit
for those who smoke within 20 minutes of waking.
One study has suggested that an eight week course of treatment
using nicotine patches is as effective as longer courses
of treatment.
Success rate of nicotine patch
Many studies have been completed on the success rate of
nicotine patches. These have found that six weeks after
initiating treatment between 23% and 61% of smokers were
successful in quitting, while one year after quitting
rates ranged from 9% to 28%. The difference in success
rates depends largely on the level of motivation and dependency
level.
Cautions when using nicotine
gum
The most commonly reported problems associated
with nicotine patches include nausea, vomiting, headache,
dizziness, which is usually short-term, and allergic skin
reactions at the site where the patch is placed. Applying
the patch to a fresh area of skin each day will help to
minimise potential skin irritation. Sleep disturbances
have been reported in particular with the 24-hour patches,
the higher the strength of patch the greater the problem.
Those who are pregnant, breast-feeding, who have diabetes
mellitus; phaeochromocytoma, kidney or liver problems,
heart disease, peripheral vascular disease; hyperthyroidism;
history of gastritis and peptic ulcers should consult
their doctor before using any nicotine product. Patches
should not be used on broken or fragile skin and use should
be discontinued if a skin reaction develops.
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Sprays | Inhalers
| Lozenges | Sublingual
tablets | NRT
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