Nicotine patch prescription medications

Nicotine patches come in various strengths and may be used for various lengths of time. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use nicotine skin patches exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of them or use them more often than prescribed by your doctor. Apply the patch to a clean, dry, hairless area of skin on the upper chest, upper arm, or hip as directed by the package directions.

Avoid areas of irritated, oily, scarred, or broken skin. Remove the patch from the package, peel off the protective strip, and immediately apply the patch to your skin. With the sticky side touching the skin, press the patch in place with the palm of your hand for about 10 seconds. Be sure the patch is held firmly in place, especially around the edges.

Wash your hands with water alone after applying the patch. If the patch falls off or loosens, replace it with a new one. You should wear the patch continuously for 16 to 24 hours, depending on the specific directions inside your nicotine patch package. The patch may be worn even while showering or bathing. Remove the patch carefully and fold the patch in half with the sticky side pressed together. The products are FDA-approved only for use by adults. If you are under age 18 and want to quit smoking, talk to a health care professional about whether you should use nicotine replacement therapies.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should talk to their health care providers and use nicotine replacement products only if the health care providers approve.

If you take prescription medication for depression or asthma, tell your health care provider if you are quitting smoking because he or she may need to change your prescription dose. Stop using a nicotine replacement product and call your health care professional if you have any of the following symptoms:. The FDA has approved two smoking cessation products that do not contain nicotine. They are Chantix varenicline tartrate and Zyban buproprion hydrochloride.

Both are available in tablet form and by prescription only. Chantix acts at sites in the brain affected by nicotine by reducing the rewarding effects of nicotine.

The precise way that Zyban helps with smoking cessation is unknown. As with other prescription products, the FDA has evaluated these medicines and found that the benefits outweigh the risks. For users taking these products, risks include changes in behavior, depressed mood, hostility, aggression, and suicidal thoughts or actions.

Nicotine can increase your heart rate. Nicotine can increase your blood pressure. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are using a non-nicotine stop smoking drug taking a prescription medicine for depression or asthma. Your prescription dose may need to be adjusted. When using this product do not smoke even when not wearing the patch.

The nicotine in your skin will still be entering your blood stream for several hours after you take off the patch. Stop use and ask a doctor if skin redness caused by the patch does not go away after four days, or if your skin swells, or you get a rash irregular heartbeat or palpitations occur you get symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and rapid heartbeat.

Keep out of reach of children and pets. Learn about medications that can help you deal with the challenges of quitting—like withdrawal and cravings—and become smokefree. Medications can make it easier to quit smoking by reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Many former smokers find that using these medications for a couple of months helped them quit.

But they are just one type of tool, not a magic bullet. Follow instructions carefully to get the most benefit. There are 7 FDA approved medications 5 NRT products: patch, lozenge, gum, nasal spray, and inhaler; and 2 prescription medications: Bupropion and Varenicline. Your pharmacist or doctor can help you choose which is best for you.

NRT works by giving you a small, controlled amount of nicotine, which is the main addictive substance in cigarettes and other tobacco products. NRT doesn't have any of the other dangerous chemicals found in cigarettes. This small amount of nicotine helps satisfy cravings for nicotine and reduces your urge to smoke.

Some smokers have mild to moderate side effects. However, research shows that NRT is safe and works. NRT is available over the counter and by prescription. There are two common prescription medications that help smokers quit: Bupropion SR and Varenicline. You'll need a prescription from your doctor to get these medications. Many insurance plans cover quit smoking medications.

Check with your insurance plan to see if you are covered. Bupropion SR e. It may help with withdrawal symptoms and the urge to smoke. This medicine may not be right for pregnant women, people who have seizures, people who have eating disorders, or heavy alcohol users. You may have heard about a recall of varenicline. If you are currently using varenicline and have concerns, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about what is best for you.

Varenicline e.