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- $Unique_ID{BRK03251}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{nicotine transdermal patch}
- $Subject{Habitrol Basel Nicoderm Marion Merrell Dow Nicotrol Warner-Lambert
- ProStep Lederle stop smoking aid nicotine Transdermal patches cessation
- withdrawal irritability headache fatigue insomnia patch}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- nicotine transdermal patch
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Habitrol (Basel)
- Nicoderm (Marion Merrell Dow)
- Nicotrol (Warner-Lambert)
- ProStep (Lederle)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- A "stop smoking" aid
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- nicotine
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Transdermal patches (5 mg, 7 mg, 10 mg, 11 mg, 14 mg, 15 mg, 21 mg, 22
- mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be kept in its original, child-resistant packaging
- until ready to be applied to the skin. After use, the patch should be
- disposed of carefully, as the nicotine patches contain a large quantity of
- residual nicotine that may be harmful to children or pets.
-
- USES
-
- Nicotine patches are used as a temporary aid to smoking cessation
- programs. They help to control the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal
- (irritability, headache, fatigue, insomnia) and thus help you to concentrate
- on overcoming the psychological and social aspects of your smoking habit.
- Over time the dose of nicotine delivered from the patch is lowered until you
- are gradually weaned off nicotine.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- It is important to STOP SMOKING when therapy with nicotine patches is
- started. If you continue to smoke and use the nicotine patches, you are
- increasing the amount of nicotine in your blood and may be more likely to
- experience side effects. The nicotine patch should be applied daily to a
- non-hairy, clean, dry skin site on the upper trunk (chest, back, stomach) or
- upper outer arm. After 24 hours, the used patch should be removed and a new
- patch applied to a different site on your body. Try to change the patch at
- the same time every day, as this may prevent you from forgetting to apply a
- new patch. Depending on the type of nicotine patch your doctor prescribes and
- the severity of your withdrawal symptoms, you may be using the patches daily
- for six weeks to 12 weeks in order to help you stop smoking.
- The risk of smoking again is highest in the first few months after using
- nicotine patches. Follow your smoking cessation program to prevent smoking
- "relapse."
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Abnormal dreams, diarrhea, difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, mood changes,
- skin rash, swelling, hives, burning or itching at the patch site, and
- sweating. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
- medication.
-
- Major.
-
- If any of the side effects are persistent or particularly bothersome,
- report them to your doctor or pharmacist. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL
- YOUR DOCTOR about signs of too much nicotine (cold sweats, confusion,
- diarrhea, difficulty in breathing, disturbed hearing or vision, nervousness,
- nightmares, marked weakness, muscle palpitations, severe itching, or rash and
- seizures).
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Smoking cessation, with or without nicotine patches, may affect blood
- levels of certain medications (including aminophylline, caffeine, furosemide,
- imipramine, insulin, labetalol, pentazocine, prazosin, propoxyphene, and
- theophylline. Nicotine can also lessen the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
- beta blockers, such as propranolol. BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any
- medications you are currently taking, especially those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack. It is also
- important to tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had heart
- palpitations or irregular heartbeat, angina, heart disease, hormone
- imbalances, kidney problems, thyroid problems, pheochromocytoma, diabetes
- mellitus, high blood pressure, or stomach ulcers.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Nicotine (from the
- patches or from cigarette smoke) can cause fetal harm. Also, tell your doctor
- if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of nicotine can pass into
- breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-