How to Use Nicotrol Nasal Spray: A GoodRx Guide
Nicotrol Nasal Spray is a smoking-cessation treatment that provides a safer form of nicotine. Using it correctly can help you quit smoking.
nicotine
Used for Smoking Cessation
Used for Smoking Cessation
Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) is a nicotine replacement therapy used to help people quit smoking. It's applied to the skin once per day and releases nicotine into your body throughout the day. Your starting dose of nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) depends on how many cigarettes you typically smoke. Side effects include skin irritation and difficulty sleeping. Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) is available over the counter and as lower-cost generics.
What is Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)?
What is Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) used for?
How Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) works
Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) is a nicotine agonist. Nicotine is an addictive chemical found in many tobacco products, including cigarettes.
Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) serves as a replacement for nicotine for people who are trying to quit smoking. It lowers your nicotine cravings and helps prevent nicotine withdrawal symptoms, without exposing you to the harmful chemicals found in tobacco products.
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Nicoderm CQ, Habitrol |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Nicotine replacement therapy |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Over-the-counter |
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Side effects of Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Skin irritation, redness, or rash
- Headache
- Vivid dreams or sleep problems
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The following Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) side effects have also been reported
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:
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
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
Acid or sour stomach
belching
indigestion
mouth and throat irritation
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$44.45
GoodRx discount
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Pros and cons of Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)
Pros
- Applied once a day
- Available over the counter
- Can be combined with other nicotine products
Cons
- Releases nicotine slower than other nicotine products
- Not a good option if you have sensitive skin
- Can cause vivid dreams
Pharmacist tips for Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)
- Don't use a nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) without talking to your provider first if you have heart problems (e.g., high blood pressure, recent heart attack, heart rhythm problems), allergy to adhesive tape or skin problems, diabetes, history of seizures, or stomach ulcers. Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) can potentially worsen the symptoms of these conditions.
- Let your provider or pharmacist know if you're taking other medications to help stop smoking or if you're taking depression or asthma medications because they might need to adjust your doses while using nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ).
- Stop using the nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) and contact a provider if you get skin redness that doesn't go away after 4 days, skin swelling, a rash, an irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, or difficulty breathing.
- Start nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) on the day you quit smoking. Double check that you're starting at the right dose of nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) based on how many cigarettes you smoke. Your provider might give you the full course of treatment (multiple boxes of nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)) all at once.
- Don't cut the patches because this can affect how the patch works.
- Apply a new nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) to dry, clean, and hairless skin every 24 hours. Don't leave the path on for more than 24 hours because it might irritate your skin, and it doesn't work as well after 24 hours.
- After applying the patch to skin, press and hold it down for 10 seconds. Then, wash your hands after applying or removing the patch to get rid of any nicotine that might've gotten on your fingers.
- To prevent skin irritation, choose a new spot on the body every time you apply a new patch. Let your provider know if nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) causes skin redness that doesn't go away after 4 days, or if it causes skin swelling or rash. If this happens, you might need to stop using this medication.
- Don't wear more than one patch at a time because your body will absorb too much nicotine. Get medical help right away if you experience symptoms of too much nicotine in your body, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, feeling weak, or a fast heart beat.
- Remove the nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) before undergoing an MRI procedure to help prevent possible skin burns.
- Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) can cause vivid dreams or nightmares. If you experience this, take off the patch at bedtime and apply a new patch in the morning to help.
- To get the most benefit from the nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ), complete the full treatment. Talk to your provider if you need to use this medication for a longer period.
- Store nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) up and away from children and pets so they're less likely to reach and accidentally take the medication. To dispose of patches, fold the sticky ends together and put in the pouch the patch came in before throwing it in the trash. If you think your child accidentally took the medication, call a Poison Control Center right away at 1-800-222-1222.
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Risks and warnings for Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)
Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Harm to unborn babies and breastfeeding babies
- Risk factors: Pregnant or planning to become pregnant | Breastfeeding
If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your provider about the benefits and risks of using nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ). Use of nicotine during pregnancy in any form can cause serious harm to your baby in the womb and after birth. Research shows that children born to mothers who used nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) during pregnancy might be at higher risk for certain developmental disorder after birth. Nicotine can also get into breastmilk and might cause harm to breastfed babies. Ask your provider about options to quit smoking with no or minimal use of nicotine products.
Worsening of certain medical conditions
- Risk factors: Heart problems | Recent heart attack | Irregular heartbeat | High blood pressure not controlled with medication | Diabetes | Stomach ulcers | Skin problems | History of seizures
Don't take nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) if you have any of the risk factors listed above unless your provider said it's safe to do so. Taking nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) can worsen your condition(s) and cause serious side effects. Make sure your provider knows about all the medical conditions you have or have had in the past before starting nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ).
Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) dosage
The average cost for 28 patches of 21mg of Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) is $18.65 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 74.18% off the average retail price of $72.23. 
Patch
Patch| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7mg | 28 patches | $19.76 | $0.71 |
| 21mg | 28 patches | $18.65 | $0.67 |
| 14mg | 28 patches | $20.35 | $0.73 |
Typical dosage for Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)
Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) patches are applied directly to the skin once daily.
If you smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day:
- Week 1 to 4: Step 1 - use one 21 mg patch daily
- Week 5 to 6: Step 2 - use one 14 mg patch daily
- Week 7 to 8: Step 3 - use one 7 mg patch daily
If you smoke 10 or less cigarettes per day:
- Week 1 to 6: Step 2 - use one 14 mg patch daily
- Week 7 to 8: Step 3 - use one 7 mg patch daily
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Interactions between Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) and other drugs
Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
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 this medicine, 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 this medicine 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.
- Bendamustine
- Hemin
- Tegafur
How much does Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
What are alternatives to Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Nicotine patch (Nicoderm CQ) images
