Nicotine patches give a dose of nicotine through your skin. You use these for about 12 weeks. You gradually change to lower doses. This helps to wean you off nicotine.
Nicotine patches are a slow-acting form of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). You can use them with a fast-acting form such as a mouth spray.
NRT combination treatment (using a slow and fact-acting product) is the best way to help you stop smoking. It is safe and recommended in Ireland's National Clinical Guideline on Stop Smoking Care.
You can buy nicotine patches without a prescription.
You can get NRT for free through:
- our stop smoking advisors
- our Quitline on 1800 201 203
- your GP if you have a medical card
Ways to use patches
There are 2 types of patches:
- the 16-hour patch, which you use while you’re awake
- the 24-hour patch, which you use all day and overnight
16-hour patch
The 16-hour patch works well if you’re a light or moderate smoker.
It is less likely to cause side effects. But it does not deliver nicotine during the night.
The 16-hour patch may not be suitable if you:
- sometimes wake during the night with a craving
- have early-morning withdrawal symptoms
- work in shifts
24-hour patch
The 24-hour patch gives a steady dose of nicotine, avoiding highs and lows. It helps with early-morning withdrawal. But there may be more side effects.
Choosing the correct strength of nicotine patch
Nicotine patches have different doses of nicotine and last for different amounts of time. The strength of patch you need depends on your level of nicotine addiction. Your pharmacist, GP or stop smoking advisor can help you pick the correct strength.
Level of nicotine addiction
Levels of addiction can generally be described as:
- heavy smoker - smokes 20 or more cigarettes or rollies a day
- moderate smoker - smokes between 10 and 20 cigarettes or rollies a day
- light smoker - smokes fewer than 10 cigarettes or rollies a day
Get advice if you're not sure which strength of nicotine patch to use. Talk to your pharmacist, GP or stop smoking advisor.
Call the Quit line on 1800 201 203
When to change to a lower-dose patch
You can usually change to a lower-dose nicotine patch over 12 weeks. It can help to break this into groups of weeks. This works for most smokers.
First month
Use the full-strength patch for the first 4 weeks.
Depending on whether you are a heavy, moderate or light smoker, this could be a:
- 16-hour patch with 25mg of nicotine
- 24-hour patch with 21mg of nicotine
Second month
Change to a middle-strength patch for the next 4 weeks:
- 16-hour patch with 15mg of nicotine
- 24-hour patch with 14mg of nicotine
Final 3 to 4 weeks
Use the low-strength patch during the final 3 to 4 weeks:
- 16-hour patch with 10mg of nicotine
- 24-hour patch with 7mg of nicotine
Stopping nicotine patches
If you still have nicotine cravings after 3 months, you can continue to use the patch.
Gradually try to reduce your use of patches. For example, you can put the patch on for a half day or every second day, then stop using it completely.
Important
Do not cut the patch in half - this affects the delivery of nicotine.
You can use the patch in combination with other fast-acting nicotine products to help manage cravings.
For example:
A good guide is to use 1 of these fast-acting products on the hour, every hour.
How to use nicotine patches
Put the patch on in the morning on a part of your body that is below your neck and above your waist. For example on your upper arm.
Change your patch each day. Remove the previous day's patch before you apply a new patch.
To apply a patch:
- Remove the plastic backing from the patch.
- Place the patch on a clean, dry area of your skin that does not have much hair.
- Hold the patch in place for 10 to 20 seconds to make sure it sticks well.
Important
Use a different area each time you change your patch, to avoid skin irritation. Do not apply patches to broken or infected skin, or directly over your heart area.
Side effects
Some people may get side effects from nicotine patches.
Side effects can include:
- skin irritation
- muscle aches and stiffness
- racing heartbeat
- difficulty sleeping (insomnia), sometimes with vivid dreams
- an upset stomach
- dizziness
- headaches
Many of these issues are also common symptoms of stopping smoking and nicotine withdrawal.
Some side effects, such a racing heart, may happen because the dose of nicotine is too high for you. You could also have nicotine withdrawal symptoms if the dose is too low.
Side effects are usually mild. But if you are worried about side effects, contact your GP or pharmacist. You may need to change the dose. Or your could stop using patches and try a different form of NRT.
Managing side effects
Ways to reduce side effects include:
- trying a different brand of patch if your skin becomes irritated
- using a lower-dose patch to reduce the amount of nicotine
- switching to a 16-hour patch if you have difficulty sleeping
Stop using patches and try a different form of NRT if side effects continue.