Habitrol® patches
This product is manufactured by Novartis using the ingredient nicotine.
This product is taken via transdermal system.
Why is it prescribed?
As an aid to smoking cessation for partial relief of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This treatment should be used as part of a comprehensive behavioural smoking-cessation program.
Habitrol® contains nicotine as the active ingredient. It provides 24 hour rate controlled delivery of nicotine following its application to intact skin. Habitrol® reduces the withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking cessation and thus increases the success rate of smoking cessation programs. The patient should be urged to stop smoking completely when initiating Habitrol® therapy. Patients should be informed that if they continue to smoke while using Habitrol® systems, they may experience adverse effects due to high nicotine levels.
The patch should be worn for approximately 24 hours and then removed. Do not leave it on for more than 24 hours because it may irritate your skin, and because it loses strength after that time. You should always replace your patch at the same time each day. This will help you to remember to change it. If you are bothered by insomnia or vivid dreams, the patch may be removed at bedtime.
Apply Habitrol®, as directed.
1.Choose an area of skin on your upper body or the upper outer part of your arm. To ensure that the patch will stick on well, make sure the skin is non-hairy, clean (not oily), dry, and free of creams, lotions, oils or powder. Do not put a patch on skin that is inflamed, burned, has broken out, or is irritated in any way, because these conditions may alter the amount of drug absorbed. Women should not apply the patch to their breasts. Be sure to apply the patch to a different area each day. The same area should not be used again for at least one week.
2.Do not remove the patch from the pouch until you are ready to apply it. Using scissors, carefully cut open the pouch along the edge. Save the pouch as you will need it when you dispose of the used patch.
3.Peel the patch you are replacing off your skin, and fold it in half, with the adhesive (sticky) side inward. Place it in the opened foil pouch and DISPOSE OF THE POUCH (WITH THE FOLDED OLD PATCH INSIDE) IN THE GARBAGE, OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN AND PETS. Any adhesive left on your skin may be removed with rubbing alcohol.
4.A square, shiny protective liner covers the adhesive side of the patch (the side that you will stick onto your skin). Note that there is a pre-cut slit along the length of the liner. It is designed to help you remove the patch from the liner. To remove the patch from the liner, start by removing the strip of liner formed by the pre-cut slit. To do this, hold the liner with the patch facing you, and the slit along the top. Hold a bottom corner of the liner. Now, starting from one edge, pull away the strip from along the top and discard it. To remove the main part of the liner, hold the patch at the free edge, (touching the sticky side as little as possible), and peel the liner off of the patch. Discard the liner.
5.Immediately apply the sticky side of the patch to your skin and firmly press it on with the palm of your hand. Continue pressing firmly for 10-20 seconds. Make sure that it is sticking well, especially around the edges, but do not test the patch by pulling at it once you have stuck it on.
6.When you have finished applying the patch, wash your hands with water only. Any nicotine on your hands could get into your eyes or nose, and cause stinging, redness or other more serious problems.
When you first put on a Habitrol® patch, mild itching, burning or tingling is normal and should go away within 1 hour. After you remove the patch, the skin under the patch might be somewhat red. Your skin should not stay red for more than 1 day. If you get a skin rash after using a patch, or if the skin under the patch becomes swollen or very red, remove the patch, wash the area with water (do not use soap). Do not put on a new patch. Call your doctor or pharmacist. You may be allergic to one of the components of the patch.
Water will not usually affect the patch if it is applied correctly. You may bathe, swim, shower, or exercise while wearing the patch. It should be removed 2 hours before engaging in prolonged strenuous exercise.
If a patch does fall off, dispose of it and put on a new patch as soon as possible. Be sure the area is non-hairy, clean (not oily), dry, and free of creams, lotions, oils or powder. You should remove this replacement patch at the time you regularly change the patch (the time you would have replaced the other patch if it had not fallen off).
You cannot adjust your dose by cutting a patch, even though the smallest patch contains half the nicotine contained in the next size up. Cutting a patch will cause the nicotine to evaporate rapidly, making all the pieces useless.
Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30 degrees C. Apply immediately upon removal from pouch, and do not store after the pouch has been opened.
Alternatives
Other products that have the same ingredient as Habitrol® patches are •Nic-Hit Gum •Nic-Hit mini lozenge •Nic-Hit Spray •Nicoderm® patches •Nicorette® gum •Nicorette® inhaler •Nicorette® Mini Lozenges •Nicorette® Quick Mist •Nicotine Gum •Nicotine Patch •Thrive® gum •Thrive® lozenges •
See other products used in the treatment of •nicotine withdrawal symptoms •nicotine addiction •
Patients must want to stop smoking and should be instructed to stop smoking as soon as they begin using Habitrol® therapy. For the first 6 weeks you will use the highest strength, step 1 (21mg/day) because at first your body's cravings will be strongest. Weeks 7 and 8 you will use step 2 (14mg/day). For weeks 9 and 10 you will use step 3 (7mg/day). However, if you smoke less than 10 cigarettes a day, weigh less than 45 kilograms or have heart disease and your doctor recommended Habitrol® you should start with step 2 (14mg/day). For the first 6 weeks you will use step 2 (14mg/day) then for weeks 7 and 8 you will use step 3 (7mg/day). If you need to, use step 3 (7mg/day) for an additional 2 weeks (weeks 9 and 10). If you do not understand how to use the patch or the dosing schedule ask your pharmacist.
Nicotine replacement therapy provides a lower level of nicotine to your blood than cigarettes, and allows the body's need for nicotine to gradually go away. It works as a temporary aid to help with smoking cessation by reducing nicotine cravings and nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Along with its needed effects, nicotine replacement may cause some unwanted or undesirable effects. Generally, nicotine replacement is well tolerated and many people will not experience unwanted effects. The frequency and severity of these effects is dependant on many factors including dose, duration of therapy and individual susceptibility. Possible unwanted effects include:
- belching
- increased appetite
- injury or irritation to mouth, teeth or dental work (chewing gum only)
- trouble sleeping
- unusual dreams
Rare:
- fast or irregular heartbeat
- high blood pressure
- hives
- rash
- stomach pain
- coughing
- irritability
Do not continue to smoke while using nicotine replacement products.(If using nicotine gum to cut back, do not smoke at the same time as chewing gum.) If you smoke or use other nicotine-containing products while using nicotine replacement you may get a nicotine overdose. Signs of an overdose include headaches, dizziness, nausea, abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweat, blurred vision, difficulty with hearing, mental confusion, weakness and fainting, rapid heartbeat and difficulty breathing. If you experience any of these symptoms contact your doctor or Poison Control Centre at once.
Do not use nicotine replacement therapy if you have:
- certain heart conditions (e.g. heart attacks, heart beat irregularities)is contraindicated.
- recent stroke
- skin diseases
- known allergy to the patches or to nicotine
Consult your doctor first if you have ever had any of the following:
- irregular heart beat (arrhythmia)
- high blood pressure
- overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- stomach ulcers
- kidney or liver disease
- diabetes requiring insulin
- treatment for poor circulation
- rashes from adhesive tape or bandages
Drug Interactions: It is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist of any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking. In some cases the dose of one or both drugs may need to be altered or another drug may be prescribed. The concentration of medication in the body may be altered by smoking cessation with or without nicotine replacement. The dosage of certain medications may require adjustment. Drugs whose concentrations may be affected by smoking cessation include:
- acetaminophen
- imipramine
- oxazepam
- propranolol
- theophylline
- insulin
- prazosin
- labetalol
Use in pregnancy: Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you suspect you are pregnant.
Use while breastfeeding: Consult your doctor or pharmacist before use.