Nicotine patch is used for:
Helping you to quit smoking.
Nicotine patch is a smoking deterrent. It works by providing low levels of nicotine, which may help you to quit smoking by lessening the physical signs of withdrawal symptoms.
Do NOT use nicotine patch if:
? you are allergic to any ingredient in nicotine patch
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using nicotine patch:
Some medical conditions may interact with nicotine patch. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
? if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
? if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
? if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances (including adhesive tape)
? if you have skin problems at the application site
? if you have heart problems, irregular heartbeat, or if you have had a recent heart attack
? if you have high blood pressure
? you continue to smoke, chew tobacco, use snuff, or use any other nicotine-containing products (eg, nicotine gum)
? if you take medicine for asthma or depression, or if you are using another medicine to stop smoking
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with nicotine patch. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines.
Ask your health care provider if nicotine patch may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use nicotine patch:
Use nicotine patch as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
? An extra patient leaflet is available with nicotine patch. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
? Do not apply to skin that is oily, burned, irritated, or damaged in any way.
? Remove backing from patch and immediately press onto a clean, dry, hairless part of your upper arm or hip. Press firmly and count to 10 to be sure it sticks well.
? Wash your hands after applying or removing the patch.
? Apply a new patch at the same time each day. Be sure to use a different skin site to avoid skin irritation.
? Do not cut the patch in half or into smaller pieces.
? Do not wear more than 1 patch at a time.
? Wear each patch for 16 to 24 hours. Do not leave the patch on for more than 24 hours because it may irritate your skin and lose its strength.
? After removing the used patch, fold it in half with the sticky sides together. Discard the patch out of the reach of children and away from pets.
? If you miss a dose of nicotine patch, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use nicotine patch.
Important safety information:
? Nicotine patch comes in different strengths. Talk to your doctor about which strength is right for you.
? Do NOT use more than the recommended dose or use for longer than 10 weeks without checking with your doctor. If you feel the need to take nicotine patch after 10 weeks, check with your doctor.
? If you begin to have vivid dreams or other sleeping problems, remove the patch at bedtime (after wearing it for about 16 hours). Put on a new patch when you wake up the next day.
? Avoid getting nicotine patch in your eyes. If you get nicotine patch in your eyes, wash them out immediately with cool tap water.
? Do not smoke or use tobacco products while you are using nicotine patch. This includes times when you are not wearing the patch.
? Nicotine patch should be used as part of a larger program to help you stop smoking. If you need help choosing a program, talk with your health care provider.
? Tell your doctor, dentist, or other health care provider that you use nicotine patch before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
? If you will be having a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), tell your doctor that you use nicotine patch. You may need to remove the patch before having the MRI.
? Nicotine patch may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you, a child, or a pet may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
? Use nicotine patch with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
? Nicotine patch should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 18 years old without first checking with the child's doctor; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
? PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Nicotine patch may cause harm to the fetus. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using nicotine patch while you are pregnant. Nicotine patch is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use nicotine patch, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
When used for longer than a few weeks or at high doses, some people develop a need to continue taking nicotine patch. This is known as DEPENDENCE or addiction.
Do not suddenly stop taking nicotine patch without your doctor's approval. If you do, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include anxiety, craving, impaired concentration, increased appetite, irritability, nervousness, sleep disturbances, and weight gain.
Possible side effects of nicotine patch:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Abnormal or vivid dreams; mild redness, itching, or burning at the application site; trouble sleeping.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); blurred vision; fast or irregular heartbeat; nausea; severe or persistent dizziness or headache; swelling or persistent (more than 4 days) redness at the application site; vomiting; weakness.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
General information:
? If you have any questions about nicotine patch, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
? Nicotine patch is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
? If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
? Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take nicotine patch or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about nicotine patch. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to nicotine patch. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using nicotine patch.
Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.
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