Nicotine patches are used to help people quit smoking. They are available in doses ranging from 7 to 21 mg of nicotine released over an 18- to 24-hour period. The dose used depends on how many cigarettes per day the patient had been smoking. A dose of 30 to 60 mg, depending on the individual's weight and how tolerant he is to the effects of nicotine, is listed as toxic by the International Programme on Chemical Safety. Smoking while wearing the nicotine patch can lead to amplification of the effects of nicotine or even an overdose. Those who plan to use the nicotine patch to help them stop smoking should be closely monitored by a physician.
Neurological and Peripheral Effects
Neurological symptoms of too much nicotine include agitation, decreased coordination and restlessness, according to the International Programme on Chemical Safety. Additionally, headaches, delirium and confusion may develop. In cases of acute nicotine overdose, convulsions and coma can occur about 30 minutes after the overdose.
Peripheral nervous system effects are primarily neuromuscular in nature. Symptoms may include weakness or paralysis of muscles, decreased muscle tone and deep tendon reflexes, as well as muscle twitching. These symptoms can also affect respiratory, skeletal and smooth muscles.
Cardiovascular and Gastrointestinal Effects
Blood pressure may become very high, then suddenly drop. Fainting can occur. Additionally, an individual might experience a pounding and rapid heart rate, followed by a slow heart rate. She may find it difficult to breathe, breathing may be rapid or stop completely.
Burning of the mouth and throat, followed by extreme salivation, are the first gastrointestinal symptoms that might appear. These can be followed by nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and, in rare cases, diarrhea. The University of Maryland Medical Center warns that a person suffering from a nicotine overdose should never be made to throw up unless a health care professional or the poison control center has recommended it.
An Alternative Perspective
Combining the patch with smoking might double the chances for some smokers to successfully quit, according to a study by Jed E. Rose and colleagues, published in the journal "Nicotine & Tobacco Research." The authors found that in smokers with lower levels of dependence on nicotine, abstinence from smoking rates were doubled in those who wore the patch before quitting. The nicotine patch, with its continuous supply of nicotine, is thought to dampen the pleasurable and reinforcing effects of smoking cigarettes, making it easier to quit. Those who are interested in this method of treatment should speak with their doctor about the risks and benefits before proceeding.
References
- International Programme on Chemical Safety: Nicotine
- Nicoderm CQ: Choosing the Right Strength
- Habitrol: Product Information
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Nicotine poisoning - All Information
- "Nicotine & Tobacco Research"; Precessation Treatment With Nicotine Patch Significantly Increases Abstinence Rates Relative to Conventional Treatment; Jed E. Rose, Joseph E. Herskovic, Frederique M. Behm, and Eric C. Westman; September 2009
