What is a nicotine patch and how does it work?
Nicotine patches are special patches for treating nicotine addiction. Nicotine addicts who stop smoking often suffer from withdrawal symptoms. Typical symptoms include irritability, nervousness and a strong craving for a cigarette. Nicotine, which is addictive, is to blame.
Nicotine patches continue to supply the body with nicotine after quitting smoking and thus alleviate or prevent withdrawal. The nicotine is absorbed through the skin and ensures a constant nicotine level in the blood. Ideally, withdrawal symptoms do not occur at all and it is easier to give up the next cigarette.
During treatment, the nicotine dose is reduced further and further until the desire to smoke finally disappears completely.
Nicotine patches are suitable for people who used to smoke regularly throughout the day. In cases of severe addiction, doctors recommend a combination therapy. In addition to the patch, the person affected is given nicotine-containing chewing gum, tablets or a spray. They release nicotine quickly and thus combat the sudden craving for a cigarette.
Do nicotine patches help?
You can read more about this in our article “Nicotine replacement”.
Nicotine patches on prescription?
You can buy nicotine patches in Germany and Austria without a prescription in pharmacies, and in Switzerland also in drugstores. You have to pay the costs privately, they are not reimbursed by health insurance or basic insurance.
There is no general answer to the cost of nicotine patches. They depend on the manufacturer, the strength and the dose of the patch.
What side effects can it have?
Nicotine patches are generally well tolerated, but can also have side effects. However, these are usually mild and improve quickly.
Skin irritation is the most common. Redness and itching at the patch site may indicate a patch allergy. Talk to your doctor about an alternative to the nicotine patch. He or she will recommend another nicotine replacement product.
Other possible side effects of a nicotine patch are nausea, headaches or a rapid heartbeat. These mainly occur at the beginning of treatment and improve quickly.
Undesirable symptoms are not necessarily side effects of nicotine patches. They can also be signs of smoking cessation.
Who is a nicotine patch not suitable for?
Nicotine patches are approved for adults. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to use them. Nicotine addicts between the ages of 12 and 18 can use them “off-label”, i.e. without official approval, but only if prescribed by a doctor.
Nicotine patches are not suitable for people with chronic skin conditions such as psoriasis: They should only be used on healthy skin. In such cases, the doctor will recommend a different nicotine replacement product.
Nicotine constricts the blood vessels. Caution is therefore advised in cases of heart disease such as severe angina pectoris (“heart failure”), cardiac arrhythmia or after a heart attack or stroke: Those affected should not use nicotine replacement products, but should resort to other smoking cessation options in consultation with their doctor.
In diabetics, blood sugar levels can fluctuate more than usual during nicotine replacement therapy.
Nicotine patches during pregnancy
Nicotine patches and smoking
Nicotine patches continuously supply the body with a certain amount of nicotine. Anyone who smokes in addition to the nicotine patch risks an overdose. Typical symptoms are nausea, salivation, abdominal pain, diarrhea or sweating. Others report headaches, a feeling of weakness and even circulatory collapse.
If you suspect a nicotine overdose, remove the patch immediately and rinse the area with water! Call the emergency services immediately!
How is it used correctly?
For smoking cessation to be successful, it is important that you use the nicotine patch correctly, in addition to the correct strength and dosage.
Which strength?
Nicotine patches are available in different application forms: as 16-hour and 24-hour patches. You apply the 16-hour patch in the morning and remove it in the evening. The 24-hour nicotine patch is always changed in the morning. It is particularly suitable for heavy smokers who also need a nicotine supply at night.
Both patches are available in three different strengths: low, medium and high dosage. The aim of the treatment is to reduce the nicotine dose gradually. Doctors recommend the following scheme for heavy smokers, for example:
- First four to six weeks: patches with the highest dosage
- Following two to four weeks: patch with lowest dosage
Which patch in which dosage is suitable for you depends on how (much) you smoked before quitting smoking. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the right strength for you.
Quitting usually takes eight to twelve weeks. Longer use is also possible in consultation with your doctor.
Application: Where to stick it?
Apply the patch to a dry, hairless area. Make sure that the skin in the intended area is neither reddened nor damaged.
A spot on the upper body, shoulders, inside or outside of the upper arms or on the hips is best. After applying the nicotine patch, press it firmly against the skin with the heel of your hand for 10 to 20 seconds.
Change the area where you stick the patch every day. This way you can avoid skin irritation.
What else is important?
Nicotine patches are not waterproof. However, you can still shower, bathe and play sports with it carefully. If it comes off, stick it back on with a sticking plaster. Alternatively, you can stick it over with a conventional waterproof patch that does not contain any active ingredients.
Remove the plaster before going to the sauna or diving. Otherwise, nicotine can enter the bloodstream through the skin in an uncontrolled manner.
