The patch is a type of nicotine replacement therapy that allows quitting smokers to get their nicotine fix without the health hazards associated with cigarette smoking. Patch wearers start with a stronger dose of nicotine delivered transdermally; the dosage is then slowly decreased over a number of weeks. The patch alleviates nicotine cravings and other symptoms of withdrawal, such as irritability and lack of concentration. Any type of smoking cessation works best when you combine it with a personal "quitting plan," says the Mayo Clinic.
Step 1
Tell your doctor about your smoking cessation plan. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), most people can use the patch without any problems. Even people with diabetes and high blood pressure can use the patch, as long as their doctors gives them the go-ahead. However, the patch is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, says the NCI's Tobacco Control Research Branch. People with coronary artery disease should use the patch with caution.
Step 2
Pick the strength appropriate for your smoking habit. Light smokers--those who smoke 10 cigarettes a day or less--may want to start with a 15 mg patch, according to the the National Institutes of Health. If you're a heavy smoker, the NCI outlines a smoking cessation schedule using a generic nicotine patch: 21 mg daily for four weeks; 14 mg daily for two weeks; and finally, 7 mg daily for two weeks.
Step 3
Replace the patch every 24 hours. Keep the patch in place while you're wearing it during that time. You may have vivid dreams, explains the NIH, but you'll experience fewer withdrawal symptoms if you keep the patch on at night.
Step 4
Wear the patch on a body part where it's least likely to cause skin irritation. The NIH advises placing it somewhere above your waist but below your neck on a hairless area of skin.
Step 5
Do not smoke. According to the NIH, your chances of successfully kicking the habit are increased when you don't cheat. However, there's a more important reason to avoid smoking when wearing the patch--nicotine can build up in your body at toxic levels.
Step 6
Seek outside help. The better your support network, the more likely you are to stop smoking for good, states the Mayo Clinic. Add smoking cession classes, counseling sessions and support groups to your quitting plan. Ask local hospitals and clinics what resources they have to offer, or join a support group online. The NCI offers smoking cessation counseling through text messaging. Access Smokefree.Gov for more information about this service.
Tips and Warnings
- When you decide to stop smoking, tell your friends, family and co-workers about your big decision and enlist them for moral support, advises the Mayo Clinic. If you use nicotine replacement therapy according to the product's instructions, you're more likely to stop smoking for six months or longer, according to the NCI.
- The patch may come with some undesirable side effects, such as headache, nausea and insomnia, explains the NIH. If you have a skin condition, such as eczema, psoriasis or atopic dermatitis, you're more likely to experience skin irritation, according to the NCI.
Things You'll Need
- Nicotine (transdermal) patch
