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Nicotine Patches (Habitrol®)
This section describes the Habitrol® patch (7mg/14mg/21mg), one of two NRT products covered under the BC Smoking Cessation Program.
The patch only contains nicotine and none of the other toxins that are in tobacco smoke. The patch sticks to your skin like a bandage, providing a slow and steady release of nicotine into your system to help reduce withdrawal and cravings.
The patch only contains nicotine and none of the other toxins that are in tobacco smoke. The patch sticks to your skin like a bandage, providing a slow and steady release of nicotine into your system to help reduce withdrawal and cravings.
Note: Stop smoking completely before you start using the patches.
For information on quitting smoking, check out our QuitPlan for tips and tools on how to quit.
Advantages of using the patch
- Easy to use
- Useful for heavier smokers who need steady release of nicotine.
- Designed to temporarily replace some of the nicotine that cigarettes would normally supply and thus reduce the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal such as cravings, irritability and anxiety.
- You can choose the strength of the dosage. This is dependent on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day. See below for suggested dosages or talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Warnings & Precautions
Do not use the patch if you have severe eczema, psoriasis or other generalized skin disorders.
Consult your pharmacist or physician prior to using the patch if the following apply to you:
- pregnant or breastfeeding
- being treated for any serious heart condition
- heart attack or stroke within the last 2 weeks
- Require kidney dialysis
- use any prescribed medication regularly. Smoking alters the effects of some medications, and when you quit smoking it may be necessary for your doctor to adjust the doses, especially if you are diabetic, taking medications for high blood pressure or heart disease, or taking antidepressants, tranquilizers or sleeping pills.
Stop using the patch immediately and see your doctor if you have:
- chest pain
- irregular heartbeat
- palpitations
- leg pain
- persistent stomach pain
- rash or hives
How to use the patch: Dosing
- Dosing should be individualized based on how much you smoke. To choose which dosage of the patch is right for you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the product monographs and suggested dosing noted below.
- The Habitrol patch should be applied and left on the skin for 24 hours per day. Other patch products may be different.
Habitrol comes in three patch sizes, which give doses of 21 mg/day (Step 1), 14 mg/day (Step 2) and 7 mg/day (Step 3). Typically a pack-a-day smoker would wear each size for 3 to 4 weeks, gradually reducing nicotine delivery by going from Step 1 to Step 2 to Step 3.
Suggested starting doses:
| # of cigarettes per day |
First Month Weeks 1-4 |
Month 2 Weeks 5-8 |
Month 3 Weeks 9-12 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dose of Patch | Dose of Patch | Dose of Patch | |
| More than 10 | Start with Step 1 (21 mg) | May choose to continue or step down to lower strength (Step 2: 14 mg) | May choose to continue, step down to lowest strength (Step 3: 7 mg) or stop using the patch completely. |
| 10 or fewer | Start with Step 2 (14 mg) | May choose to continue or step down to lower strength (Step 3: 7 mg) | May choose to continue or stop using the patch completely. |
How to APPLY the Patch
- Open the patch wrapper immediately prior to usage, as it will lose the nicotine contained if opened well before use.
- If applicable, remove the old patch prior to putting on the new one and safely discard in garbage out of reach from children and pets.
- Peel the liner off the back of the new patch.
- Place on a non-hairy, clean, dry area of skin (such as the upper arm, hip, back or shoulder) and free of creams, lotions, oils or powder. Women should avoid placing the patch on their breasts.
- Press firmly for 10-20 seconds, especially along the edges.
- Wash your hands after applying.
- The patch should be worn for approximately 24 hours and then removed and discarded. Do not leave it on for more than 24 hours as it may irritate your skin and it loses its strength. Replace your patch at the same time each day to help you to remember to change it.
- In order to avoid skin irritation, use a different spot for the patch each day. The same area should not be used again for at least one week.
Common side effects of using the patch
- headaches
- cold or flu-like symptoms
- dizziness
- anxiety
- sleep problems
- vivid or abnormal dreams
- stomach upset
- Mild itching, burning and tingling are normal in the first hour of wearing the patch
- redness of the skin when the patch is removed
Note: Remove the patch and consult your doctor if you experience chest pain, irregular heartbeat, palpitations, leg pain or persistent stomach upset while using the patch.
Things to remember
- Mild itching, burning and tingling are normal in the first hour of wearing the patch.
- Do not use more than one nicotine patch at a time. Using more than one would increase your risk of experiencing side effects.
- Do not cut or trim patches. This will interfere with how the nicotine is released from the patch. Only use the nicotine patches as directed.
- Remove the patch two hours before prolonged strenuous activity or going scuba diving. These activities may increase your risk of experiencing side effects.
- If you find yourself still craving cigarettes while using the patch, speak with your doctor or pharmacist to see what options (such as using nicotine gum and the patch together) are available for you. But remember that PharmaCare will only cover one smoking cessation aid per calendar year: January 1st through December 31st.
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