Nicoderm is a transdermal patch that delivers a continuous amount of nicotine through the skin. This medication is available for individuals who wish to stop smoking and it is available in a variety of dosages so that you can taper down the amount of nicotine you receive. In a similar fashion to cigarette smoking, using Nicoderm can cause side effects. Most of these are benign and subside over time, but some side effects can be serious and should be reported to your physician.
Skin Irritation
The most commonly experienced side effect of Nicoderm is due to skin sensitivity to the adhesive or to the plastic material that makes the patch. This side effect manifests like an allergic reaction, with redness of the site, itching, burning, and possibly, mild swelling. If you appear to be having an allergic reaction to the Nicoderm patch, stop using it immediately and contact your health care professional. This side effect is common in people who have latex allergies or skin sensitivity to adhesives.
Upset Stomach
According to Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, a less commonly experienced side effect of Nicoderm and similar nicotine delivery patches is nausea, vomiting and stomach upset. These usually go away over time but if they are severe, either decrease the patch dosage or contact your doctor for recommendations for a different nicotine delivery method. Nicotine, the active ingredient in Nicoderm, is a stimulant, a class of drugs known to have adverse effects on the gastrointestinal system. Some individuals also report that they experience diarrhea when using Nicoderm.
Insomnia
Because the active ingredient in Nicoderm is a stimulant, it can cause sleep disruption, including insomnia and vivid dreams. These side effects subside over time but can also be relieved by either reducing the dosage or switching to a different medication to quit smoking. If you are sensitive to the effects of stimulant medications or caffeine, or if you have pre-existing cardiac conditions, talk to your doctor before taking Nicoderm.
Rapid Heartbeat
Some individuals experience cardiovascular side effects when using Nicoderm. These can include heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, irregular heartbeat and difficulty breathing. In addition, if you are experiencing heart problems, you may feel faint or dizzy because less oxygen is being made available to your brain. If you experience any cardiac symptoms, feel dizzy or faint, stop using Nicoderm immediately and contact your health care professional. People with sensitivities to stimulants are at particularly high risk of these side effects when using Nicoderm.
Anxiety
The stimulant effect of Nicoderm can cause certain individuals to become anxious or jittery, similar to drinking large amounts of caffeine. Decreasing the dosage or changing the medication you are using to quit smoking may help relieve these side effects. If you are taking medications for anxiety or have sensitivity to stimulants, you should avoid taking this product and talk to your doctor about alternatives. In addition, never smoke when using Nicoderm, because it can cause significant anxiety, increased blood pressure and dangerous stimulation of the nervous system.
Member Comments