How do Nicotrol Patches work?
Are Nicorette Patches right for me?
Do Nicotrol Patches have any side effects?
How long should I use Nicotrol Patches?
Order Nicotrol Patches now!
How do Nicotrol Patches work?
You apply a Nicotrol patch to the surface of the skin and it releases controlled amounts of nicotine transdermally into the body over a period of 16 hours. This relieves the craving for cigarettes and alleviates the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. The area of skin should be clean, hairless, and dry so that it does not interfere with the transferral process. This is usually on the upper body but could include the hip, the back, the upper thigh, or the chest. Do not put the patch on fragile, inflamed or broken skin. It is a good idea to place it somewhere where it does not interfere with your clothing. Apply the patch to a new area of skin each day to reduce the chance of developing a localized skin irritation developing. Give each site about a one week break before using it again.
Press on the patch for around 10 seconds when you first put it on. You will be able to keep it on while swimming, taking a bath or a shower. If you are bathing then try to not use soap on the patch because soap can increase the levels of nicotine absorption. Should the patch fall off, just apply a new patch. Dispose of the old one carefully because nicotine must be kept out of the reach of children and pets. In order to make sure that you do not accidentally transfer any nicotine to your eyes, nose or other sensitive areas of the body, you should always wash your hands after applying or removing a patch.
The Nicotrol patch slowly releases the nicotine into the bloodstream and continues to work for the next 16 hours. It does not contain the other harmful toxins and carcinogens contained in cigarette smoke. Remember that the nicotine in your skin will still be entering your bloodstream for several hours after you take the patch off. If you do forget to remove the patch at bedtime this may result in vivid dreams or other sleep disruptions because the body is not used to receiving nicotine at night. This is one reason why some people prefer the 16-hour patches to the 24-hour patches.
Are Nicorette Patches right for me?
You should not continue to smoke or use other products that contain nicotine while using Nicotrol patches. To do so increases the risk, however slim, of a nicotine overdose. Symptoms of nicotine overdose such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and rapid heartbeat. Do not try to cut or alter the patches as this affects the way they work. The patches should not be used by adults or by children under the age of 18 years of age. Nicotrol patches are not intended for use by non-smokers. The patches should not be used by those who are pregnant, intend to become pregnant while using the treatment, or are breast-feeding. Nicotine may decrease the birth weight of babies and can increase the heart rate of the foetus. In specific cases, however, a doctor may suggest that a pregnant patient use a type of NRT like Nicotrol patches if the damage done by smoking is perceived to be more harmful than the risks of using NRT. Such a case would require close consultation with a doctor. If you suffer from heart disease or circulatory problems, have recently had a heart attack, or have an irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmias) it is not recommended that you use the patches. This is because one of the effects of nicotine is that it can increase your heart rate. Because nicotine can also increase blood pressure, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist before you use Nicotrol patches if you have high blood pressure not controlled with medication.
Caution should be taken using Nicotrol if you have any of the following medical conditions, in which case you should consult with your doctor or pharmacist before you start using Nicotrol patches: high blood pressure, gastric or peptic ulcers, hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) kidney disease, liver disease, controlled angina or diabetes mellitus. If you are taking prescription medicines for depression or asthma or want to know what effect Nicotrol patches may have when taken in conjunction with other medications, you should consult a health professional. This is because once you stop smoking the absorption rates of some medications by the body may be improved, requiring an adjustment of the dosage. You should also seek advice from a health professional if you are allergic to adhesive tape, have skin problems that predispose you to getting rashes, or you experience an allergic skin reaction to nicotine.
Do Nicotrol Patches have any side effects?
Users of the Nicotrol patch may experience localized skin irritation or a rash. This is why you should rotate Nicotrol patches between alternative areas of skin each time. The rash may be caused by a reaction to nicotine but sometimes it is just a reaction to the adhesive on the patch. Most of the time this is temporary. If the redness of the skin does not go away after about four days then you should consult a health professional.
Because the patches only last 16 hours there is less chance of experiencing any sort of sleep disturbance. Some smokers find, however, that the 16-hour patches are least helpful when they wake up first thing in the morning. If you are the sort of smoker who wakes up craving a cigarette then you might want to look at using 24-hour NRT patches instead.
Other possible side effects from using Nicotrol include headaches, increased sweating, weakness, stomach upset and diarrhoea. What may be considered side effects could actually be symptoms of nicotine withdrawal if the body is not receiving enough nicotine through NRT to replace the levels lost when you stopped smoking. These symptoms include irritability, anxiety, lethargy and the inability to concentrate.
How long should I use Nicotrol Patches?
You apply a new Nicotrol patch to the skin first thing every morning and remove it before retiring to bed at night. Each Nicotrol pack contains 7 individual patches, each lasting 16 hours. The patches come in three strengths: 15 milligram (mg), 10 mg and 5mg. With the typical programme for Nicotrol patches you would start using the 15mg patch once a day for the first 8 to12 weeks. For the next two weeks you would use the 10mg patch, followed by two weeks using the 5mg patch. You gradually wean your body off nicotine until eventually you can stop using the patches completely. You can stop using the patches completely when you are confidant that you can avoid a relapse into the smoking habit. It is recommended that you only use the patch for around 6 months but there is little risk involved in using them for a longer period of time. You should, however, consult your doctor or pharmacist about extended use of the patches.
Nicotrol patches distribute nicotine to the body in a constant fashion without the nicotine surge that you get from smoking. The patches do not contain as much nicotine as cigarettes. By using the patch you get to break the behavioural pattern associated with smoking a cigarette. These aspects mean that the patches are easier to give up than smoking.
Order Now