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All
medicines have risks and benefits. You need to weigh the risks of
wearing the Nicotrol patch against the benefits it will have for
you.
If you have
any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Please
print this page and keep the printout with the medicine. You may
need to read it again.
What
is the Nicotrol patch used for?
The Nicotrol patch helps you to give up smoking by relieving the
desire to smoke, as well as some of the unpleasant effects, which
smokers experience when they stop smoking.
How
does the Nicotrol patch work?
Smokers have both a physical reliance on nicotine (i.e. the body
becomes dependent on nicotine) and a psychological reliance on the
smoking habit itself.
When you give
up smoking, your body will miss the effects of nicotine and you
will miss the habit of smoking.
The Nicotrol
patch helps you to tackle these two sides of the problem separately,
instead of all at once.
It is your
body's dependence on nicotine, which causes withdrawal symptoms
when you suddenly stop smoking. Nicotine is an addictive substance.
Symptoms may include irritability, restlessness, depression, weight
gain, and craving for cigarettes.
The Nicotrol
patch is intended to ease such withdrawal symptoms by providing
your body with nicotine. This leaves your mind free to concentrate
on overcoming your psychological desire to smoke.
Nicotrol patches
have been designed to slowly allow nicotine to be absorbed through
your skin. The amount of nicotine in the Nicotrol patch is sufficient
to help overcome the withdrawal symptoms but is lower than the amount
of nicotine which you get from smoking. Therefore, overcoming your
reliance on the nicotine in the Nicotrol patch is much easier than
overcoming your dependence on the nicotine you get from smoking.
The Nicotrol
patch is intended to help you to give up smoking, but you will only
be successful in becoming a non-smoker if you are determined to
quit.
You will also
need the support of others, your family, your friends, or specialised
counselling organisations.
Before
using the Nicotrol patch
When you must not use the Nicotrol patch
Do not
use the Nicotrol patch if:
- You
are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
There is medical evidence that nicotine in any form may be harmful
to an unborn child. Therefore it is recommended that you do not
use Nicotrol if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, unless
you are unable to stop smoking without nicotine replacement. Talk
to your doctor before using the Nicotrol patch during pregnancy.
- You are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed
Nicotine passes freely into breast milk, and can affect the health
of the baby. Therefore it is recommended that you do not use the
Nicotrol patch if you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed.
- You have had a recent heart attack or stroke
- You have heart disease such as palpitations (fast or irregular
heart beats) or uncontrolled angina (chest pain)
- You are a non-smoker
- You are under 18 years old
There is not enough information about the use of the Nicotrol patch
in children.
- You are allergic to nicotine or are sensitive to any components
of the chewing gum.
You should
not use the Nicotrol patch if the expiry date printed on the carton
has passed or the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
Do not give
the Nicotrol patches to anyone else to use as it is recommended
that they seek professional advice prior to starting treatment.
Before
you start using Nicotrol patches
If you have had any of the following, you should ask for your doctor
or pharmacist's advice before using Nicotrol patches.
These medical
conditions may need consideration by or discussion with your doctor
or pharmacist. You and your doctor or pharmacist can then weigh
up the risk of using Nicotrol patches against the benefits you will
get if you stop smoking.
The medical
conditions include:
Angina
(chest pain) or any other problem with your heart or blood vessels
such as pain in one or more legs when you walk
High blood pressure
Previous stroke
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Stomach ulcer or pain
Hyperthyroidism (a disorder of the thyroid gland)
Phaeochromocytoma (a tumour of the adrenal gland)
Diabetes.
Any skin disease, rashes or allergies to adhesives
Taking
other medicines
If you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that
you buy without a prescription, in a pharmacy, supermarket or health
food shop, the way these medicines work may be affected once you
stop smoking.
These medicines
may include:
Theophylline
(asthma medication)
Insulin
Imipramine (antidepressant)
Pentazocine (pain medication).
You may wish to seek professional advice from your doctor or a pharmacist
before you start to use Nicotrol patches.
Using
Nicotrol Patches
Which is the correct strength of Nicotrol patch to use and
how long it should be used for?
Nicotrol patches come in three different strengths. The patch is
applied on waking (usually in the morning) and removed 16 hours
later (usually at bedtime). The patch is not intended to be worn
while you are sleeping.
When you first
start to use the Nicotrol patch you should use the highest strength.
This is the 15 mg/16h Nicotrol patch. You should use this strength
patch daily for 8 weeks.
Then you should
reduce the amount of nicotine you are using by changing the strength
of the patch you use. Use the next lower strength patch (10 mg/16h)
applied daily for 2 weeks, then use the lowest strength patch (5
mg/16h) applied daily for two weeks.
This gradual
reduction in the amount of nicotine will help your body get used
to going without nicotine.
If you have
been unable to quit smoking after this time, then further use of
the Nicotrol patch may be considered after advice from your doctor
or pharmacist.
How
do I combine use of Nicotrol Patch with nicotine gum or inhaler?
Normally the Nicotrol patch, nicotine gum or inhaler alone would
provide enough nicotine to help most people control their craving
for cigarettes. However, some people may find that even though they
are using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) they still have intense
or frequent cravings they find difficult to cope with. If you are
one of these people you may benefit from combining a Nicotrol patch
with either nicotine 2 mg gum or nicotine 10 mg inhaler.
Each morning
apply a Nicotrol 15 mg/16 hour patch to an intact area of skin.
The Nicotrol patch should be removed before going to bed. After
applying the Nicotrol patch use nicotine 2 mg gum or nicotine inhaler
whenever a craving occurs.
If you are
using nicotine 2 mg gum try to chew at least 4 pieces of gum every
day. Most people will use 5-6 pieces. If you are using nicotine
inhaler try to use 4-5 cartridges every day.
The combination
of a Nicotrol patch and nicotine gum or inhaler should be used in
this way for 6-12 weeks. After this time if required you can wean
yourself off NRT by either:
1. Using the
Nicotrol 10 mg/16 hour patch for 3-6 weeks and then use the Nicotrol
5 mg/16 hour patch for 3-6 weeks while using the same number of
pieces of nicotine gum or inhaler cartridges in a day that you have
routinely used. Then when a patch is no longer needed, gradually
reduce the number of pieces of gum or inhaler cartridges until you
no longer need them.
OR
2. Stop use
of the Nicotrol 15 mg/16 hour patch and then gradually reduce the
number of pieces of nicotine 2 mg gum or inhaler cartridges that
are used until you no longer need them.
How
to apply and use the Nicotrol patch
Choose
and prepare an area of skin
Before you open the pouch choose an area of skin and make sure it
is clean and dry. Any area of the body could be used, but preferably
hairless skin is best to stick the patch on. Some examples may be
the upper thigh, hip, the upper arm or the chest.
The patch should
be placed on a different part of the body each day. This will help
reduce skin irritation.
Each patch
is sealed in a childproof pouch. You will need a pair of scissors
to cut the pouch open. Cut along one edge of the pouch with the
scissors and carefully remove the patch. Be sure to handle the patch
carefully as the nicotine on the sticky side could come off on your
hands. This can cause stinging and redness if it gets near your
eyes or nose.
To apply the
patch remove the clear plastic coating and press the sticky side
onto the clean dry skin for about 10 seconds. Run your finger around
the edge of the patch to ensure it sticks properly.
If you apply
the patch correctly you can shower, bathe or swim without worrying
about it coming off.
How
to dispose of a used patch
After removal fold the used patch in half with the sticky side inward.
Place the folded patch inside the opened pouch or wrap it in a piece
of aluminium foil. The used patch should then be disposed of carefully
where children or animals cannot get hold of it.
Important:
Immediately after applying or removing a Nicotrol patch wash and
dry your hands thoroughly so that you cannot get any nicotine into
your eyes or nose.
If you
use too much (overdose)
Overdosage can occur if more than one patch is used, or you smoke
or use other nicotine containing products while you are wearing
a patch.
There is
a small risk that young children may be poisoned with nicotine if
they put a patch in their mouth or apply them (especially more than
one) to their own skin.
Anyone who swallows a patch needs immediate medical attention.
Signs of overdose
or poisoning include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Salivating
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Cold sweats
- Weakness
- Disturbed hearing
- Headache
- Breathing difficulties
- Weak, rapid or irregular pulse
- Loss of consciousness.
In
the event of yourself or someone else showing symptoms seek medical
advice.
Immediately
telephone your doctor for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency
at your nearest hospital.
You
can also help by doing the following:
- Remove all the nicotine patches
- Flush the skin with water and dry it.
Side
effects
What
are possible side effects of using Nicotrol patches?
Nicotine like all other medicines may cause unwanted side effects
in some people. Seek professional advice from your doctor or pharmacist
as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using
Nicotrol Patch.
Most of the
undesirable effects reported by users of Nicotrol occur during the
first weeks after beginning treatment. Some are minor and temporary
but others may need medical attention.
You
may notice the following:
- Redness or itching of the skin where the patch has been
- Headache
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- General skin redness and hives
- Dizziness
- Sleeplessness.
Some effects,
such as dizziness, headache and sleeplessness may be withdrawal
symptoms due to low nicotine levels.
If
any of these effects do not go away, or you have any other undesirable
effects during use, tell your doctor or pharmacist.
After
using the Nicotrol patch
Storage
Do not use a patch if the pouch or patch is damaged. Keep all the
pouches in the box until immediately before use.
Store Nicotrol
Patch at temperatures below 25°C. Storage in a car in hot weather
may cause damage to the patch.
Children
have a greater risk of poisoning from nicotine, therefore it is
important to keep Nicotrol patches out of reach of children.
Product
description
What
do Nicotrol patches look like?
Nicotrol patches are rectangular and beige-pink (skin-tone) in colour.
Each of the
three strengths is a different size. The largest patch is the highest
strength and contains the most nicotine.
Each strength
of Nicotrol patch comes in packs of 7 patches.
The Nicotrol
patch is a General Sales Medicine.
Ingredients
The active ingredient in a Nicotrol patch is nicotine.
Other non-active ingredients are: polyisobutylene, polybutene, polyester
(nonwoven).
Supplier
Nicotrol Patches are supplied in New Zealand by:
Pharmacia
PO Box 11-282
Ellerslie
Auckland
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