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Nicotine Patches: Are They Right for You?

A nicotine patch can be a badge of courage for a tobacco smoker trying to quit. It can also be a source of strength, weaning you off a habit that has harmful health consequences. A transdermal patch allows a consistent amount of nicotine to seep slowly through the skin over a 24-hour period. This permits a smoker to gradually "detoxify" from nicotine without inhaling the tar and other carcinogenic ingredients in cigarette tobacco. With determination and the help of the patch, you could be on your way to a smoke-free life.

Tips for proper use:

• Remove the patch from the packet and save the packet.
• Apply patches at the same time each day to get into a routine. Use a different area of skin than where your previous patch was located (if applicable). Do not use the same skin site for at least one week.
• Find an area of hairless and unbroken skin to place the patch. Your upper thigh or upper arm make good choices.
• Clean and dry your target site. Apply the patch.
• Remove the patch after the appropriate length of time has passed. No patch should be kept on for more than 24 hours. Put the patch back in its packet and discard.
• If you have not stopped smoking after four weeks, treatment should be stopped; subjects in trials who did not quit by this time failed to quit at all.