Nicotine, Transdermal

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: smoking deterrent

Generic and brand names: nicotine, transdermal; Habitrol; Nicoderm; Nicoderm-CQ; Nicotrol; ProStep

What is this medicine used for?

These adhesive patches are designed to help you stop smoking by releasing nicotine that is absorbed through the skin. As your body becomes used to smaller amounts of nicotine in your system, your addiction to nicotine is reduced. Using this medicine with behavior modification and counseling increases the likelihood you can quit smoking.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your health care provider if you have ever had:

• diabetes
• heart disease or a recent heart attack
• high blood pressure
• liver or kidney disease
• skin disease
• thyroid disease
• ulcers.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Nicotine from any source can harm the baby. Do not become pregnant while using this medicine. If you become pregnant, contact your health care provider. This treatment is not recommended during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

How do I use it?

You must stop smoking completely when you start using this medicine, and you must not smoke while using the medicine. Smoking while using this medicine may cause an overdose of nicotine with unpleasant side effects.

If you have tried to stop smoking using another form of nicotine replacement therapy and have not had any success, ask your health care provider if this medicine is right for you. Do not use this medicine with any other form of nicotine, because you may overdose.

Large amounts of nicotine can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweats, and severe side effects that can affect your hearing, vision, mental state, and breathing. Also, an overdose may cause convulsions and even death. Follow your health care provider's directions exactly. Changes in your behavior are also necessary for success.

Apply a patch once a day to clean, dry skin on your upper body or outer surface of the upper arm. Choose a spot with no hair or broken skin. Remove the patch after 24 hours and apply a new patch in a different spot. For Nicotrol, apply a new patch upon waking in the morning and remove it at bedtime each day. Do not reuse a spot for at least one week.

Apply the patch right after removing it from the protective pouch to prevent loss of nicotine by evaporation. Make sure all the edges of the patch are firmly attached.

After removing a used patch, fold it over and put it in the pouch from which you have removed a new patch. Dispose of the patch safely away from children and pets.

An instruction sheet is included in the package of this medicine. Read the information carefully. Talk to your health care provider or pharmacist if you do not understand all of the instructions.

What should I watch out for?

Your health care provider will want to see you regularly to reduce your dosage gradually until your urge to smoke is gone. Continue using the patches only for as long as directed by your health care provider.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Pale skin, cold sweats, nausea, increased saliva, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, confusion, weakness, very slow or very fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, convulsions.

Other: Skin irritation or swelling under the patch, insomnia, nervousness, strange dreams.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you stop smoking and start using any nicotine replacement (such as a nasal spray, patch, lozenge, or gum), the dosage of some medicines you may have been taking may need adjustment. Some of these medicines are:

• acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• beta blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), pindolol (Visken), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), timolol (Blocadren), nadolol (Corgard), and propranolol (Inderal)
• caffeine (NoDoz, Vivarin, Caffedrine, Quick-Pep)
• furosemide (Lasix)
• oxazepam (Serax)
• pentazocine (Talwin)
• phenylephrine (found in Neo-Synephrine and many other prescription and nonprescription decongestants)
• prazosin (Minipress)
• propoxyphene (Darvon)
• theophylline and aminophylline (used in asthma medicines)
• tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil), and doxepin (Sinequan).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.