Which nicotine patch should i start with

The goal in recommending the patch is to meet patients' nicotine needs, allowing them to feel, for the most part, comfortable throughout the day. By providing relief from the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal, NRT makes it easier for patients to focus on making behavioural changes in their lives. The patch also will not make someone quit — it is not a substitute for motivation. However, if used in the appropriate dose, the patch will make the process of quitting much easier.

Several tools have been designed to objectively assess the appropriate patch dose. For most people who smoke one pack per day or less, the following is a reasonable starting point:. People who smoke one pack per day absorb 1.

If the patch dose is adequate, the patient should feel relatively comfortable between cravings. The patient may still have strong urges during the day, but most of the time will not feel physical cravings or discomfort. A persistent need for a cigarette or no improvement while on the patch strongly suggests that the dose is inadequate. If the dose is inadequate, the patient will experience some of the ongoing physical discomfort of withdrawal, including irritability, dysphoria, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, headache, decreased concentration and strong cravings.

If the dose is too high, the patient will experience symptoms of nicotine overdose, including nausea, cramps, dizziness, palpitations and dysphoria. The use of larger doses of nicotine by patients who smoke heavily and who are highly tolerant to the effects of the drug makes theoretical sense. If your heart is racing or beating irregularly, stop using the gum and talk to your health care provider.

It relieves withdrawal symptoms very quickly and lets you control your nicotine cravings. Most people are told to use 1 to 2 doses per hour. At least 8 doses 16 sprays each day may be needed when you first start, but use as directed by your health care provider. You should not use more than 40 doses 80 sprays per day. Instructions can vary. The FDA recommends that the spray be prescribed for 3-month periods and that it not be used for longer than 6 months.

Stop using the spray to see if the feelings get better and talk to your health care provider if this happens. You may need to use it less often. If you have asthma, allergies, nasal polyps, or sinus problems, your provider may suggest another form of NRT. Special note: This form of NRT poses a more serious risk to small children and pets because the empty bottles of nasal spray contain enough nicotine to harm them. Do not get the liquid on your skin.

If a bottle breaks or liquid leaks out, put on plastic or rubber gloves to clean it up. The nicotine inhaler is a thin plastic tube with a nicotine cartridge inside.

They are not the same as electronic cigarettes, which are not approved by the FDA to help people quit smoking. At this time, inhalers are the most expensive form of NRT available. You puff on the inhaler and the cartridge sends a pure nicotine vapor into your mouth. You may use up the cartridge all at once over about 20 minutes, or puff on it only a few minutes at a time.

The recommended dose is between 4 and 20 cartridges a day, slowly tapering off over 6 months. Stop using the inhaler to see if the feelings get better and talk to your health care provider if this happens.

Special note: This form of NRT poses an extra risk to small children and pets because the used cartridges still have enough nicotine in them to cause harm if it gets on skin or mucous membranes for instance, if licked or touched to the eyes, mouth, or other mucous membrane. Be sure to store and dispose of the cartridges away from children and pets. The lozenge is available in 2 strengths: 2 mg and 4 mg. The needed dose should be based on how long after waking up a person normally has their first cigarette.

So, if you smoke your first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking up, use 4 mg nicotine lozenges. If you smoke your first cigarette more than 30 minutes after waking up, use 2 mg-nicotine lozenges.

Some people who are using NRT prefer the lozenge to the gum because its use is less conspicuous. The recommended dose is 1 lozenge every 1 to 2 hours for 6 weeks, then 1 lozenge every 2 to 4 hours for weeks 7 to 9, and finally, 1 lozenge every 4 to 8 hours for weeks 10 to The lozenge makers also recommend:. No one type of nicotine replacement therapy NRT - by itself or in combination - is necessarily any better than another.

When choosing the type of NRT you will use, think about which method will best fit your lifestyle and pattern of smoking or using smokeless tobacco. Are you looking for once-a-day convenience? How urgent are your cravings for nicotine? Whatever type you use, take your NRT at the recommended dose. If the patch becomes loose or falls off, simply replace it with another. You should apply the new patch to a different area of skin, though a skin site can be reused after a period of one week.

Nicotine patches only address the physical side of addiction. A behavioural therapy app, like Quit Genius, works in conjunction with the patches to deal with the psychological part of addiction! As with any medication, some people experience side effects while using nicotine patches. Possible side effects include:. These symptoms are usually mild, serious reactions are exceedingly rare.

If you experience any signs of an allergy, such as a rash, swelling, hives or difficulty breathing, discontinue use of the patch immediately and seek medical attention as soon as possible.

You can buy them from your local pharmacy or drugstore, as well as many supermarkets and online retailers. Nicotine patches, in particular, offer a discreet and hassle-free way of combating cigarette cravings, by providing your body with a steady dose of nicotine throughout the day.

Take your time and do your research, but try to decide on a method prior to your quit date, so that you can have everything in order and be completely prepared as you set out to enjoy the benefits of a healthier, happier, smoke-free life! Addiction Solutions. Like many Step 2 patches, it's designed for those who currently smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, and NicoDerm recommends using these patches for the first six weeks of an eight-week smoking-cessation program.

This patch is also suitable for those who are moving to a lower-dose nicotine patch after completing the Step 1 portion of a quitting program. NicoDerm recommends this group use the Step 2 patch for two weeks before moving to an even lower-dose option. Like other similar patches, this one delivers 14 milligrams of nicotine over the course of 24 hours. Unfortunately, because the patch is beige, opaque, and relatively large, it may not be as discreet as some other options. Like many Step 2 patches, the Rite Aid Transdermal Nicotine Patch is designed for those who currently smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, as well as for those who are moving to a lower-dose nicotine patch after completing the Step 1 portion of a quitting program.

Rite Aid recommends using its Step 2 patches for two weeks before moving to a lower-dose option. Each patch contains 7 milligrams of nicotine, which will be released in controlled doses over the course of a day. Unlike some other similar patches, this one is not transparent. Instead, it is circular and opaque, making it a less discreet option. Like other Step 3 patches, this is designed for those who are moving to a lower-dose nicotine patch after completing the Step 2 portion of a quitting program.

Habitrol recommends using its Step 3 patches for the final two weeks of your smoking cessation program. The Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patches package is an all-in-one kit that makes following a quitting program particularly easy.

Instead of asking you to piece together a quitting timeline and stock up on a bunch of different boxes, Habitrol gives you everything you need in one package. Each pack comes with 56 nicotine patches: 28 Step 1 patches enough to last you four weeks , 14 Step 2 patches which will last you two weeks , and 14 Step 3 patches enough for two weeks. Combined, these patches create an eight-week program that makes it easy to gradually reduce your nicotine consumption. The work is done for you—all you have to do is buy the box and remember to wear a patch each day.

This lack of customization may put some off. But many will appreciate that by removing some tedious obstacles, Habitrol has made it easier to start a quitting program—and to stick with it. The primary way nicotine patches vary from one another is in dosage. Step 1 nicotine patches deliver 21 milligrams of nicotine, Step 2 nicotine patches deliver 14 milligrams of nicotine, and Step 3 patches deliver 7 milligrams of nicotine.

These doses are typically released little by little over a hour period. And the dose you should opt for will vary, based on your smoking history and where you are in your quitting program. Some nicotine patches are beige and opaque, while others are clear. If you want a more discreet option, one of the clearer patches will likely serve you better than one of the opaque ones.

Nicotine patches come in packs, and these packs tend to contain somewhere between seven to 21 nicotine patches. As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be.

So you're ready to finally quit smoking?