Nicotine provides the habit-forming, pleasurable component in tobacco use that leads to long-term tobacco addiction. Therefore, nicotine replacement therapy in the form of skin patches, gum and pills can lessen withdrawal symptoms to make quitting more likely. The gradual release of nicotine in a patch can be regulated to compensate for a comparable amount of cigarettes the user may normally smoke. A 21mg patch compares with a pack-a-day smoker, while someone who smokes 10 or fewer cigarettes per day can begin with the 14mg patch and then drop to a 7mg patch in a few weeks. But since the patch still introduces nicotine into your body, there are possible side effects with its use.
Skin Irritation
One side effect of using a nicotine patch is skin irritation. The American Academy of Family Physicians website states it is normal to feel tingling, itching or even burning at the point of contact with nicotine skin patches. The site may be red where the patch was located as well. If the area is swollen or sore for more than a day, contact your physician to see if an allergic response or overdose is taking place.
High Blood Pressure
Nicotine patches can increase your heart rate and raise your blood pressure. If you have a history of high blood pressure or a weakened heart muscle, you can be exposed to the possibility of a heart attack. The American Heart Association website states that nicotine in any form also narrows arteries, decreasing oxygen to the heart by arterial constriction and reducing how much oxygen is available to the body.
Headaches, Dizziness
Nicotine patches can cause headaches in those susceptible to them. Mayo Clinic staff say that if you are one of those who tend to get debilitating cluster headaches, nicotine can bring on the headaches as an effect of using the patches. The nysmokefree.com website states that besides headaches, nicotine patch users may experience vertigo, insomnia and extreme drowsiness from the patch use.
Withdrawal Pain
While there should be fewer withdrawal effects from using a nicotine patch than by quitting smoking without a patch, some withdrawal pains are still likely. The nyskokefree.com website states that you may experience muscle and joint pains, nausea, diarrhea and stomach pain. You may also become irritable, anxious and depressed. But the website stresses these side effects are less than they would be if you were trying to quit smoking without the nicotine patch as an aid.
