Because smoking cigarettes that contain nicotine causes addiction to that drug, the most common form of help for people trying to quit consists of replacing nicotine in the body for a time. The person uses this time to break the physical habit of lighting and smoking the cigarette, while still feeling the effects of nicotine in the body. One method is Habitrol, a transdermal patch attached to the skin. Although only less common or rare side effects of the Habitrol nicotine patch occur as serious problems, some common and non-serious side effects do exist.
Headaches
The person using the patch may experience headaches when first applying the medicated device. MayoClinic.com reports this typically will occur as a mild headache, and doctors expect the problem to resolve itself without their intervention. The organization indicates, however, that people experiencing headaches for an extended period, or experiencing severe headaches, should consult the doctor for help.
Appetite Changes
During the first stage of the use of the Habitrol nicotine patch, the person may feel more hungry than usual. While this can lead to overeating, the condition tends to subside as the person’s body begins to become acclimated to having this form of nicotine absorbed into the body. MayoClinic.com states this, too, classifies as a common, non-serious form of side effect that should vanish on its own, but the user may want to ask a physician about it if it does not end or if it makes the person too hungry.
Irritation
Wearing the Habitrol nicotine patch can cause some minor side effects at the site where it has been attached. The person may feel a sensation of burning or itching there, and the skin may appear red. While this may feel annoying, MayoClinic.com indicates it typically disappears within a day of application of the patch.
Tachycardia
As with nicotine itself, using the Habitrol nicotine patch can cause an acceleration of the heart rate in some people using it. The heart may beat faster than normal, a condition known medically as tachycardia, as the nicotine infuses into the body. Drugs.com reports this and other cardiovascular side effects may occur more often in people who already have diseases associated with the heart. The Habitrol patch also may cause the blood pressure of the person to rise beyond normal levels, the organization reports.
