Nicotine Oral, Transdermal Advanced Patient Information - Drugs.com

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# Nicotine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Dec 18, 2022.

## Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

- Habitrol
- Nicoderm CQ
- Nicotrol

In Canada

- Nicoderm

Available Dosage Forms:

- Patch, Extended Release

Therapeutic Class: Smoking Cessation Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Cholinergic System

## Uses for nicotine

Nicotine skin patches are used to help you stop smoking. Nicotine is absorbed from the patch on the skin and enters the blood stream. This replaces the nicotine you would get from smoking and makes the withdrawal effects from not smoking less severe. The amount of nicotine is decreased over time until use is stopped.

Nicotine is available without a prescription, but proof of age (18 years or older) is required.

## Before using nicotine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For nicotine, the following should be considered:

### Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to nicotine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

### Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of nicotine skin patches in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established. Small amounts of nicotine can cause serious unwanted effects in children, and patches contain enough nicotine to cause problems, including used patches.

### Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of nicotine skin patches in geriatric patients.

### Breastfeeding

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using nicotine.

### Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking nicotine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using nicotine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

- Tegafur

### Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

### Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of nicotine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Hypertension (high blood pressure), uncontrolled—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

## Proper use of nicotine

Use the patches exactly as directed in the dosing section on the label. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Nicotine comes with a patient instruction booklet. Read and follow these instructions carefully.

It is also important to use a stop-smoking program that may include education, counseling, and psychological support. This may make it easier for you to stop smoking.

For most patches, the strength of the patch will be decreased over a few weeks until use is stopped. If you use a patch that is only available in one strength, use is stopped after the treatment period indicated on the label.

NicoDerm® CQ patch:

- This is a 3-step program. If you smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day, start with Step 1 followed by Step 2 and Step 3. If you smoke 10 or less cigarettes per day, start with Step 2 followed by Step 3.
- Begin using the patch on the morning of your "quit" day, even if you are not able to stop smoking immediately.
- Leave the patch in its sealed storage pouch until you are ready to put it on. Carefully open the pouch. Never cut the pouch or patch with scissors. Do not use a patch that has been cut by accident.
- Save the original storage pouch. It will be used to dispose of the used patch.
- Apply the patch at about the same time every day to clean, dry skin and in an area with little hair.
- When putting on a new patch, choose a different body area. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one.
- Do not put the patch on burned, cut, or irritated skin. Do not use creams or lotions, including sunscreen, on the skin where you apply the patch because it may not stick well.
- Wash your hands after applying or removing a patch.
- Apply a new patch to a different body area if one falls off.
- Remove the patch after 16 or 24 hours. It will not work as well after 24 hours and may irritate your skin.
- If you have vivid dreams or sleep problems, remove the patch at bedtime and apply a new one in the morning.
- Water will not harm the patch. You may bathe, shower, or swim for short periods while wearing the patch.

### Dosing

The dose of nicotine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of nicotine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

- For transdermal dosage form (patch):
  - To help you stop smoking:
    - Adults and teenagers 18 years or older—The dose will be provided on the label and is based on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. The amount of nicotine is decreased over time until treatment ends. If you need to use the patch for a longer period of time than recommended on the label, talk to your doctor.
    - Children—Use is not recommended.

### Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

After removing a used patch, fold it in half with the sticky sides together. Place the used patch in its storage pouch and throw it away. Make sure it is out of the reach of children and pets.

Detailed Nicotine dosage information

## Precautions while using nicotine

It is important to finish the NicoDerm® CQ 3-step program completely. If you need to use the patch for a longer period of time, talk to your doctor.

Pregnant women should only use nicotine as directed by a doctor. Cigarette smoke can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using medicine. Although nicotine is believed to be safer than smoking, the risks to your child from nicotine are not fully known.

Nicotine products must be kept out of the reach of children and pets. Small amounts of nicotine can cause serious unwanted effects in children, and used patches may contain enough nicotine to cause problems. If a patch is swallowed, contact your doctor or poison control center at once.

Mild itching, burning, or tingling may occur when the patch is first applied. This should go away within 24 hours. Call your doctor if you have a rash or if your skin is swollen or red. Do not put on a new patch.

The opaque NicoDerm® CQ patch may cause skin burns when used during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. You must remove the patch before an MRI procedure.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

## Nicotine side effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

- Blurred vision
- dizziness
- headache
- nervousness
- pounding in the ears

Rare

- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- hives, itching, rash, redness, or swelling of the skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

- Dizziness
- fast heartbeat
- nausea or vomiting
- weakness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

- Headache
- redness, itching, or burning at the application site

Less common or rare

- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- irritability or nervousness
- nausea or vomiting
- trouble sleeping or unusual dreams

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Nicotine side effects (more detail)

## Frequently asked questions

- What are the side effects of vaping?

## More about nicotine

- Check interactions
- Pricing & coupons
- Reviews (194)
- Drug images
- Latest FDA alerts (1)
- Side effects
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: smoking cessation agents
- Breastfeeding

### Patient resources

- Drug Information
- Nicotine nasal, inhalation
- Nicotine transdermal
- Nicotine Inhalation, oral/nebulization (Advanced Reading)
- Nicotine Nasal (Advanced Reading)

#### Other brands

Nicoderm CQ, Nicorette, Nicotrol Inhaler, Leader Nicotine Polacrilex, ... +4 more

### Professional resources

- Prescribing Information

### Related treatment guides

- Smoking Cessation

## Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer