The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 70.9 million people (28.4 percent of the population) were current tobacco users in 2008. According to Merck Manuals, smoking cigarettes increases the risk of heart disease and developing of several types of cancers. One way to support breaking n dependence is to use nicotine replacement therapy in the form of a transdermal patch, which delivers nicotine through the skin. However, there are possible side effects associated with using the nicotine transdermal system patch.
Mild Side Effects
Most of the side effects of using the nicotine transdermal system patch are mild in nature, reports Medline Plus. Possible mild side effects include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. If these side effects are severe or if they do not go away, patients should consult a physician immediately.
Severe Side Effects
Possible severe side effects of using the nicotine transdermal system patch include seizures and difficulty breathing, according to MedlinePlus. Furthermore, the nicotine patch may also cause a faster or slower than normal heart rate, or cause the heart rhythm to become erratic. Severe side effects should be reported to a doctor.
Skin Side Effects
Because transdermal system patch delivers nicotine to the body through the skin, there are possible skin side effects that may occur when using the patch. Nicoderm CQ is the brand name for a nicotine transdermal patch made by the pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). GSK reports that a possible side effect of using the transdermal patch is skin redness after removing the patch. MedlinePlus notes that redness of the skin is a general side effect of all nicotine transdermal patches. According to GSK, the redness should be temporary, but they advise contacting a doctor if the redness does not go away within 4 days, or if the skin swells.
