Nicotine patches explained

Nicotine patches have been around on the market for people to buy when they want to try and quit smoking for over fifteen years. The first patch was marketed back in nineteen ninety three. The patches come in different strengths depending on the level that you smoke will depend on which patch you need to be using first the highest milligram patch is the 21mg and is normally used by people who smoke twenty or more cigarettes a day. This is used for several weeks before the next step down the 14mg patch is then used as a replacement, this the leads to the 7mg patch and then nothing. This way the smoker is slowly weaned off the nicotine addiction enabling them to completely quit. The regime from start to finish usually takes around approximately ten weeks but for heavy smokers it can take longer and likewise for lighter smokers it can be as little as a couple of weeks to beat the nicotine receptors at their own game!

The patches cost anything from $20 to $30 a week which works out a lot cheaper than buying cigarettes in the first place. Not all patches now are branded names, many chemists are now using their own brands which are making them even cheaper still.

There are side effects to the use of nicotine patches that can be quite frightening though. Some people have reported having nightmares whilst sleeping as some of the patches are designed to be worn for twenty four hours and then replaced. Because the nicotine is slowly released into your blood stream it is like smoking in your sleep in effect which you would not normally do. This can cause bad dreams, vivid and unusual dreams and in some extreme cases all and out nightmares. Because of this some brands have introduced patches that can be worn all day and removed at night before bed. But because of this some people have reported that they suffer from morning cravings as the patches do not work instantly as soon as they are applied they take a few hours to kick in fully leaving the wearer to use nothing but their will power alone to see them through. Other people have claimed that they get rashes from wearing the patches and very bad itching. It is advised that the patch is worn in a different place everyday to avoid further irritation problems. Some people find the burning sensation does go slightly after an hour but others find a very sore red and enraged patch shaped burn mark that doesn’t go and it is then best to stop using the patches as this is often an indication of an allergic reaction.

Stopping smoking using patches works for some as long as they use will power as well, for others they need to combine it with other methods such as nicotine gum and other products on the market.