Health Centres - Nicorette patches
How does it work?
Nicorette patches contain nicotine. They are a type of medicine known as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and are used to help smokers give up the habit.
Nicotine is the addictive substance present in tobacco. Smokers who try to give up often experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cigarettes, because they are dependent on the nicotine in tobacco. Withdrawal symptoms can include irritability, headaches, restlessness, insomnia and difficulty concentrating. These, combined with cigarette cravings, are why it is difficult for some people to give up smoking.
Nicotine replacement therapies work by giving you a small amount of nicotine, but without the dangerous effects of inhaling tobacco smoke. This helps relieve the withdrawal symptoms and cravings for a cigarette that you get when you stop smoking, and allows you to get on with breaking the psychological habit of smoking. If you are physically addicted to nicotine, using NRT has been shown to almost double your chances of successfully quitting smoking.
Nicorette patches are worn continuously for 16 hours. The nicotine in the patches is absorbed continuously from the patches, through the skin and into the bloodstream. This produces a lower amount of nicotine in the blood than smoking, but the continuous level is enough to help prevent the withdrawal symptoms and cravings that you get after you stop smoking.
The patches come in three different strengths: 15mg, 10mg and 5g. Most smokers should start with the 15mg strength. One patch should be applied at the same time every day, usually in the morning. It should be removed after 16 hours, usually at bedtime. If after eight weeks at this strength you have managed not to smoke, you should then drop down to the 10mg strength patches for two weeks, and finally the 5mg patches for two weeks. Reducing the patch strength in this way gradually weans you off the nicotine, allowing you to focus on breaking the smoking habit. By the time you stop using the patches your psychological urge to smoke should be reduced.
NRT comes in many forms. There are factsheets on all these linked at the end of this page. Nicotine patches are used to help prevent cravings for cigarettes, while nasal sprays, inhalators, chewing gum, tablets that dissolve under the tongue, and lozenges, are all forms that can be used instead of smoking when you get a cigarette craving.
As well as breaking the physical addiction, you also need to break the smoking habits you used to have. Try to avoid situations where you will be tempted to smoke, and remember to seek help and support whenever you feel like giving in to your cravings.
What is it used for?
- Relief of withdrawal symptoms associated with giving up smoking
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