Where Is the Best Place to Put a Nicotine Patch? Pharmacists Answer 9 FAQs
Key takeaways:
Nicotine patches (NicoDerm CQ, Habitrol) are a type of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) that help people quit smoking. There are several options for where to place the nicotine patch, including the upper chest, back, and upper arms.
Nicotine patches work by providing your body with “clean” nicotine. The nicotine in the patch doesn’t include the harmful chemicals that are in cigarettes.
Nicotine patches help minimize cigarette cravings and nicotine withdrawal symptoms. They work best when combined with another form of NRT, such as lozenges or gum (Nicorette).
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Table of contents
If you’re trying to quit smoking, there are many products available to help. These include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), such as nicotine patches (Nicoderm CQ), lozenges (Nicorette), and gum (Nicorette). These are safe and effective treatment options for people who want to stop smoking.
Proper use of these products will give you the best chance at successfully quitting smoking. For example, knowing where to put the nicotine patch, and how often you should place a new patch, will help this medication be as effective as possible. And knowing how the nicotine patch works will help you understand why it works best when combined with another form of NRT. Here, we address frequently asked questions.
1. Where is the best place to put the nicotine patch?
Apply the nicotine patch to skin on the upper body that is dry, clean, and free of hair. Options include:
On the inside or outside of your upper arms
Upper chest
Shoulder
Back
Avoid placing the patch on skin that is oily, irritated (such as on top of a rash), or damaged. And rotate the site where you apply nicotine patches. You also shouldn’t apply the patch to the same place more than once per week. This can make you more likely to experience bothersome skin irritation.
Lastly, avoid cutting the nicotine patch. Skin patches shouldn’t be cut, because this can change how quickly the medication is released into your body. This can lead to more side effects.
2. How do nicotine patches work?
Nicotine patches work by providing your body with “clean” nicotine.
Before quitting smoking, you were getting nicotine from cigarettes. But the nicotine in cigarettes comes with thousands of harmful chemicals. This isn’t the case with the nicotine patch, which doesn’t contain harmful chemicals.
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By releasing a steady amount of nicotine into your body throughout the day, the patch minimizes nicotine withdrawal symptoms and cravings for nicotine. This makes quitting smoking easier.
The nicotine patch doesn’t work as quickly as cigarettes do. Nicotine from cigarettes reaches the brain almost immediately. But nicotine in the patch reaches the brain in a slow and steady way. So using the nicotine patch may not eliminate nicotine withdrawal symptoms or cravings, but it can help make them more manageable. Over time, you’ll decrease your nicotine patch dose, and your body will adjust to lower amounts of nicotine, until you’re done using the patch completely.
3. How long does it take the nicotine patch to work?
The time it takes for the nicotine patch to work can vary from person to person. Usually, it takes a few hours for the nicotine patch to kick in.
This is why it’s best to combine the patch with a fast-acting form of NRT. It’s more effective at helping people quit smoking than using the patch by itself. Fast-acting NRT products include nicotine gum, lozenges, and nasal spray. These forms of NRT more closely match the speed at which cigarettes deliver nicotine to the brain. Although they are not as quick to reach the brain as cigarettes, these NRT forms can help with in-the-moment cravings in a way the patch can’t.
Some research shows that starting the nicotine patch a couple of weeks before you quit smoking increases your chances of successfully quitting. Ask your primary care provider about the best time to start the patch if you’re planning to stop smoking.
4. How long does the nicotine patch last, and when should you replace it?
The effects of the nicotine patch last about 24 hours. Most people apply a new patch each morning after removing the previous day’s patch.
But leaving the patch on overnight can cause problems for some people. This is because nicotine patch side effects include difficulty sleeping and vivid dreams. If this happens to you, try removing the patch at night before you go to bed. Then apply a new patch when you wake up.
5. Can you smoke with the nicotine patch on?
If you’re wearing the nicotine patch, continuing to smoke cigarettes can have negative health consequences. This could increase nicotine levels in your body and cause symptoms of too much nicotine, including nausea, headache, and trouble sleeping. More seriously, it can increase your blood pressure and heart rate.
But smoking occasionally while wearing a nicotine patch isn’t likely to cause major side effects. The biggest risk is that it sets you back on your path to quit smoking, which can have serious health risks. Even occasional smoking increases your risk for heart disease, cancer, and kidney disease.
If you’re still craving cigarettes while using the nicotine patch, talk with your primary care provider. They may suggest a higher dose. They’ll also want to know if you’re using fast-acting forms of NRT, like nicotine lozenges or gum. This can help reduce your cigarette cravings more than using the patch alone.
6. Can you shower with the nicotine patch on?
Yes, it’s OK to shower with the nicotine patch on. You can even swim with it on. If the patch is firmly in place, getting it wet shouldn’t be an issue.
But if your patch becomes loose or falls off after it gets wet, replace it with a new one. Then replace it at your usual time moving forward.
7. Does the nicotine patch cause weight changes?
Not usually. But quitting smoking can increase your appetite since nicotine is an appetite suppressant. So weight gain may occur after you quit smoking, but it’s probably not because of the patch itself.
There are several healthy ways to manage your weight after you quit smoking, including eating nutrient-dense foods and exercising regularly. And know that the benefits of quitting smoking outweigh the risk of weight gain.
8. How long should you use the nicotine patch?
The manufacturer of the nicotine patch recommends using the patch for 8 weeks. But many people will benefit from using the patch for longer. Research shows that long-term use (1 year or more) of the nicotine patch is likely safe, although it may not increase your chance of quitting smoking compared with using it for a shorter amount of time.
The nicotine patch is a much safer alternative to cigarettes, especially at recommended doses. But nicotine (even in the patch) can have side effects. For example, it can increase blood pressure and heart rate. This is one reason NRT products aren’t meant to be used indefinitely.
If you’re interested in using the nicotine patch for more than 8 weeks, discuss this first with a healthcare professional. The ideal length of treatment with nicotine patches depends on several factors, including whether you’ve successfully quit smoking and what your goals are.
The nicotine patch isn’t meant to be stopped abruptly. Usually, you’ll gradually reduce your nicotine patch dosage over several weeks until you stop using it completely. But if you haven’t stopped smoking while using the nicotine patch, you may need a higher dose or to stick with your current dose for longer. Ask your healthcare professional before making any changes to your nicotine patch dosage.
9. Is the nicotine patch effective?
The nicotine patch can be very effective in helping you quit smoking. In fact, research shows that using NRT can increase your chances of quitting by up to 60%.
Nicotine patches are easy to use and rarely cause serious side effects. As mentioned, they work best when combined with another form of NRT, such as nicotine gum or lozenges.
Medications like NRT aren’t the only tools that can help you quit smoking. A smoking cessation program can also significantly increase your chances of quitting, especially when combined with medications like NRT. Smoking cessation programs may involve counseling, text-based support programs, and talking to others who have successfully quit.
How to save on the nicotine patch
If you have insurance, it’s likely that the nicotine patch will be partially or fully covered by your insurance plan. But if it isn’t fully covered, asking a healthcare professional for a prescription can help you receive a GoodRx discount for the nicotine patch.
With a prescription, GoodRx may be able to help you save over 60% off the average retail price of the nicotine patch. Nicotine patches at certain pharmacies may be as low as $21.00 with a free GoodRx coupon.
The bottom line
Nicotine patches (NicoDerm CQ, Habitrol) are a type of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). They’re a safe and effective way to quit smoking. There are several options for where to place the nicotine patch. These include your upper arm (on the inside or outside), back, and upper chest. Use a different spot each time you replace the patch, and don’t use the same spot more than once a week.
Nicotine patches work by replacing the nicotine you used to get from cigarettes with a clean form of nicotine. The nicotine in the patch is released slowly over the course of a day. On the other hand, fast-acting forms of NRT — such as nicotine lozenges and gum (Nicorette) — release nicotine to the brain quickly, helping with in-the-moment cravings. So combining the patch with a fast-acting NRT product increases your chances of quitting smoking successfully compared with using the patch alone. Working with a healthcare professional or using a smoking cessation program can increase your chances of successfully quitting.
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References
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