Medium Strength
Nicorette Patch contains nicotine which is absorbed through the skin when the patch is applied. This should help to relieve the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal when you stop smoking.
Help relieve your desire to smoke and some of the unpleasant symptoms smokers experience when stopping smoking
Do not smoke during your Nicorette Patch programme. Never use more than one patch at a time. Do not use with any other nocotine product. Do not use if you are allergic to nicotine or develop an allergy to this patch
These patches should not be used if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Nicorette Patch should not be used by non-smokers, occasional smokers or people under 18 years of age.
If you have suffered from persistent indigestion or chest pains, heart problems, high blood pressure, recent stroke, psoriasis or other skin disorders tell your doctor or pharmacist
1Make sure it is safe for you to use these patches
2Use your patches as instructed and follow the advice given in this leaflet
3These patches may cause unwanted effects in some people.
Before using the patches :
Are you pregnant or trying to become pregnant?
Are you breast-feeding?
Have you ever had a stroke or problems with your circulation?
Have you ever had a stomach ulcer?
Do you have persistent indigestion or pains in the chest?
Do you have any liver or kidney disease?
Do you have an overactive thyroid gland?
Are you diabetic?
Are you allergic to nicotine or adhesive plasters?
Have you been diagnosed as having a tumour of the adrenal glands?
Are you taking any other medicines?
If the answer to any of these questions is YES, tell your doctor or pharmacist before using your patch
When you give up smoking, your body will miss the effects of the nictoine present in tobacco smoke. You may also miss the habit of smoking. Nicorette Patch, applied to the skin, releases pure nicotine which is absorbed through the skin, helping to reduce your desire to smoke. This allows you to concentrate on overcoming the smoking habit. To do this, you will also need willpower and possibly some guidance from your GP or your local Stop Smoking Clinic.
Whilst on the course of patches you will benefit from not inhaling tobacco smoke which contains harmful substances. Nicorette Patch (nicotine patch) should generally be used for a total of 3 months. After 8 weeks you should change to the lower strength patches to help you give up nicotine altogether in stages.
IMPORTANT: You must stop smoking completely before using Nicorette Patch
Do not smoke at all when using Nicorette Patch
Always use your patches as directed. Nicorette Patch comes in 3 strengths - 15mg, 10mg and 5mg.
You should start on the highest strength (15mg) patch the day after you stop smoking completely. After 8 weeks you should cut down your nicotine intake by using the 10mg patch for 2 weeks, followed by the 5mg patch for a further 2 weeks
Each Nicorette Patch should be applied (as directed in the product leaflet) when you get up in the morning and removed before you go to bed (or after 16 hours whichever is sooner)
When applied to the skin nicotine is released throughout the day through the skin.
Side effects
In common with all medicines, these patches may cause unwanted effects in some people.
You may get slight redness or itching of the skin where the patch has been. This usually disappears within 2 days. Rarely, a rash or a more severe skin reaction can occur. If this happens stop using the patch and tell your doctor or pharmacist.
If you get palpitations, chest pain, leg pain or bad indigestion, remove your patch, do not smoke or apply another patch and see your doctor as soon as possible. Other possible unwanted effects that may occur include headache, dizziness, and nausea. You may also experience some other effects as a result of stopping smoking such as tiredness and irritability. These effects often disappear after a few days. If they do not improve tell your doctor or pharmacist.
If you find it difficult to give up nicotine patches or you are worried that you may start smoking again, see your doctor or pharmacist.
In the event of accidental overdose, or if a child has opened or used a patch, remove the patch and contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department immediately. If possible show them the packet or this leaflet.
Warning
Keep your patches in a cool, safe place, out of the reach of children or pets.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to someone else.
If these patches are used by someone else they could develop signs of overdose including headache, sickness, stomach pains and diarrhoea. If this happens, remove the patch at once and contact your nearest doctor or hospital casualty department immediately.
Helpful Tips on Giving Up
You may have tried to stop smoking before and you know from bitter experience that it's not easy to give up cigarettes. However, you have now taken the first constructive step towards becoming a non-smoker.
In overcoming your tobacco dependence you will have to tackle two problems :
1.Your smoking Habit
2.Your Addiction to nicotine
Willpower
The overriding success factor in quitting is how determined you are. The first few weeks of quitting will probably be the most difficult because your smoking ritual is still fresh in your mind.
However, you will find that as time goes by, your willpower becomes stronger.
Telling friends, family and work colleagues that you have quit smoking and that you envisage a tough time ahead will encourage them to support you.
1)Pick the right day
There is never a perfect time to give up smoking, but you should plan ahead by choosing a date in the not too distant future on which you are going to give up cigarettes completely.
This is your Quit Day. Try to pick a day when you will not be too stressed.
2)Break your routine
For a number of years you will have become accustomed to smoking at certain times, with particular people or circumstances.
Think about the times you will miss smoking the most and plan how you will cope on these occasions. Changing your routine will help you break the habit of smoking.
3)Quit with a friend
Quitting with a fellow smoker is a good idea. It will strengthen your resolve and build on your determination.
Encourage a friend or family member to quit with you. It will give your morale a boost since there will be another person knowing exactly what you are feeling and with whom you can share your determination to quit smoking.
4)Remove any temptation
To help yourself succeed be sure to remove all cigarettes, matches, lighters etc. from the home, the car and at work.
Ask your friends and colleagues not to offer you cigarettes or smoke close by you - but be careful not to offend them.
Explain that you have given up.
This type of support from friends is of greatest benefit for the first couple of weeks of quitting, as this is your most vulnerable time.
The last thing you want is a cigarette close at hand in a moment of weakness.
5)Take one day at a time
When you reach your Quit Day, don't allow yourself to think that you're quitting for good. That will make it seem like a superhuman task. Just promise yourself "I won't have a cigarette today", and take it one day at a time.
You'll be surprised how much that little thought helps.
6)Distract yourself
Whenever you feel the urge to smoke coming on, distract yourself by keeping active. Don't feel sorry for yourself. Get up and do something. Do that job around the house or garden that you've been putting off, or take up a hobby. Remember that the craving only lasts a few minutes.
7)Learn to Relax
Once you have stopped smoking, taking exercise regularly will not only help you get fitter but will encourage you to relax.
Exercise has the ability to relieve stress and tension.
Taken regularly it will benefit you physically and psychologically. If you have not exercised for some time, take it slowly to begin with and increase the amount of time spent exercising over the course of a few weeks.
Not only will exercising help you relax but also helps to keep your weight under control, which some people find a problem when quitting.
8)Think cash not ash
One of the really noticeable benefits of 'stopping' is the extra cash that's suddenly available. To emphasise the point put the money into a pot marked 'cash not ash' and watch it accumulate. But be sure to use the money to treat yourself.
You deserve a reward for not smoking.
9)Dealing with relapses
You might find that in times of stress, reaching for a cigarette is the only thing that will help you through.
There may also be certain situations - particularly social situations such as a party or in the pub - where temptation just gets the better of you, so you smoke one or two cigarettes. You might feel that your only option is to go back to smoking.
Don't think of it as having failed, just think through the reasons why you wanted to quit in the first place and don't let those couple of cigarettes get the better of you. Refer back to your plan and start again. You can beat it!!
10)If you don't succeed
Giving up is more difficult for some people than others. If you fail to stop first time, don't be disheartened.
Try again at a later date - you can do it.
Remember the most successful long term ex-smokers have usually had to try several times to stop smoking - if you don't succeed - quit quit again!
Caution :
Please always read the product leaflet carefully.