Helps you stop smoking
How to use your Nicotinell Patches
Please read this carefully before you start to use your patches. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
What are Nicotinell Patches?
Nicotinell TTS30 (large) each contain 52.5mg of nicotine. Average absorption rate 21mg/24 hours.
Nicotinell TTS20 (medium) each contain 35mg of nicotine. Average absorption rate 14mg/24 hours.
Nicotinell TTS10 (small) each contain 17.5mg of nicotine. Average absorption rate 7mg/24 hours.
The transdermal patches also contain acrylate esters vinylacetate co-polymers, fractionated coconut oil, methacrylic acid esters copolymers, aluminised and siliconised polyester films.
These Nicotinell patches are for application to the skin. They contain nicotine which takes the place of nicotine you would otherwise get from smoking.
The Nicotinell patches are used to help you stop smoking as part of an overall treatment programme. When you apply the patch to your skin, nicotine passes through your skin and into your body. The Nicotinell patch programme involves up to 3 steps; each with a different patch size. As your body adjusts to not smoking, you should gradually reduce the dose of Nicotinell over a period of up to a maximum of 12 weeks until you no longer need to use the patches
Before using your patches
- Do you have or have you ever had any serious heart disease?
- Have you had a recent stroke (within the last 3 months)?
- Have you ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to nicotine?
- Do you have a generalised skin disease?
- Are you diabetic?
- Do you have high blood pressure, angina (chest pain) or any blood vessel disorders?
- Do you have any serious liver or kidney disease?
- Do you have or have you ever had a stomach ulcer?
- Do you have an overactive thyroid gland?
- Are you taking any other medicines?
If the answer to any of these questions is YES, do NOT use the patches without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
- You must not smoke whilst you are using these patches.
- Do not use any other nicotine product whilst you are using these patches.
- These Nicotinell patches should not be used by non-smokers or occasional smokers.
- Pregnant and breast feeding women are advised to give up smoking without the use of nicotine products. Do not use if you are pregnant or breast feeding except on the advice of your doctor.
- Do not use if you are under 18 years of age except on your doctor's advice.
Using your patches
Apply one patch every day
If you smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day start with:
step 1 Nicotinell TTS30 (large = 21 mg/24 hours) for 3-4 weeks then:
step 2 Nicotinell TTS20 (medium = l4mg/24 hours) for 3-4 weeks then:
step 3 Nicotinell TTS10 (small = 7mg/24 hours) for 3-4 weeks.
If you smoke less than 20 cigarettes a day start with:
step 2 Nicotinell TTS20 medium = (4mg/24 hours) for 3-4 weeks then:
step 3 Nicotinell TTS10 (small 7mg/24 hours) for 3-4 weeks then:
step 3 Nicotinell TTS10 (small ) may be used for up to a further 3-4 weeks if necessary.
If you have any questions about this ask your pharmacist.
- Do not start with step 3. the small size patches.
- Do not use Nicotinell patches for more than 3 months in total.
- It is important to keep the patch on day and night especially if you need help to overcome the early morning craving for a cigarette.
Applying your patches
Allow yourself time to put the patch on. Decide where you will put the patch. It is important to choose a hairless area of skin to make sure that it sticks properly. We recommend the front or side of the chest, the back or the upper arm. If it does not stick successfully to these areas you may try it on any other body site (such as the outer thighs or top of the buttocks). Avoid areas where the skin creases (such as over a joint) or where the skin folds when you move. Avoid skin which is red or irritated.
Make sure that the skin is completely clean and dry. After a hot bath or shower you may continue to sweat even after toweling. Wait until the skin is completely dry before sticking the patch on.
Never powder or oil your skin before putting on a patch as it may not stick properly.
Cut open the sachet along the dotted line (a) taking care not to damage the patch inside.
Take out the yellowish patch. Carefully remove the small section of the silver-coloured backing (b). |
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Remove the larger section of silver-coloured backing (c). Throw the silver-coloured backing away. Avoid touching the sticky surface of the patch with your fingers, as far as possible.
Place the sticky side of the patch on the chosen site (d). |
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Press firmly with the palm of your hand for at least 20 seconds (e). It may help to time this with a watch. This is important because the adhesive is pressure sensitive and will not be effective unless pressure is applied for the required time.
Run your finger around the edge of the patch to make sure that the edge is firmly stuck down (f). Do not fiddle with the patch during the day.
If you find the patches are not sticking well, it may help to clean the area where you want to apply the patch with a little surgical spirit. Allow this to dry naturally before applying the patch. |
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Provided that you have applied the patch correctly, you can shower or swim with little risk of the patch coming off.
If it does fall off, throw it away carefully and apply a new patch to a different area of skin.
Changing your patch
Apply a new patch at roughly the same time each day (preferably in the morning). Leave it in place for 24 hours.
When you take off the old patch, fold it in half with the sticky side inwards and throw it away carefully. Even used patches will contain some active medication which could be harmful to children, so make very sure that your patches are always kept well away from children.
- Always place your new patch on a different area of skin.
- Do not cut the patches.
- Never use more then one patch at a time. An overdose of nicotine can be dangerous.
- If you forget to change your patch at the usual time, change it as soon as you remember. Then go on as before.
After using your patches
These patches sometimes cause unwanted effects in some people. You may get slight redness and itching of the skin where a patch has been. This usually disappears within 2 days. Rarely a more severe reaction at the site of application, or very rarely a generalised skin rash may occur.
If either of the above happens, stop using the patch and tell your doctor.
Other effects which may occur include:
- Headache or dizziness
- Muscle discomfort
- Mild stomach upset
- Difficulty in sleeping
These effects are often mild and may wear off after a few days' treatment. If they are troublesome and do not improve, tell your pharmacist or doctor. If your patches upset you in any other way, tell your pharmacist or doctor.
Remember
These patches are not suitable for non-smokers or occasional smokers. They may develop signs of nicotine overdose including headache, sickness, stomach pains and diarrhoea. If this happens, remove the patch at once and contact your doctor or nearest hospital casualty department immediately |
