The quit-smoking patch, also know as the nicotine patch, was developed to help people stop smoking. The patch is placed on your skin, usually on the upper arm or shoulder, and slowly releases nicotine into your system through the skin. Used with behavior modification techniques, the nicotine patch can be very effective, but it can also carry some side effects you should be aware of.
Dizziness
The idea behind using the nicotine patch is to slowly wean the patient away from his dependency on the nicotine in cigarettes. This is the first step to overcoming cigarette addiction. Over the course of several weeks, the dose of the nicotine patch will be decreased until the patient no longer needs it. The nicotine patch comes in several strengths: 7, 14 and 21 mgs. The beginning dosage is based on the amount of cigarettes smoked daily. If the dose of the nicotine patch is too high, the patient may experience dizziness along with nausea and possibly vomiting. Nicotine overdose symptoms also include weakness, rapid heart beat and tremors.
High Blood Pressure
One of the drawbacks of the nicotine patch is the effect that nicotine has on the heart and arteries. Patients with high blood pressure should discuss using the nicotine patch with their physicians prior to using it. Nicotine causes the blood vessels to constrict and the heart to beat faster, which ultimately raises the blood pressure. This effect can be dangerous for people with coronary artery disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure. Constriction of the coronary arteries, the arteries that feed the heart, can cause a heart attack. Patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure can have pressures high enough that a stroke could occur or they are at risk for a heart attack as well. The health care provider will weigh the risk to benefit ratio with the patient and decide whether using a nicotine patch to quit smoking is appropriate or whether other agents should be utilized.
Skin Irritation
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, or AAFP, the nicotine patch can irritate the skin. The area under the patch may become red and itchy. AAFP recommends removing the patch if this happens. Sometimes placing it in another area will help. Patients with known hypersensitivity to transdermal patches may want to consider another type of nicotine replacement such as gum or nasal spray.
