How They Work
Nicotine patches are designed to help you to manage yourto smoke. Patches help with cravings and withdrawal symptoms. The patches start to release nicotine as soon as you apply the patch to your skin. The patches release nicotine throughout the day for 24 hours. Each day you attach a patch to your skin. For six to 12 weeks you use the daily patches to reduce the cravings for a cigarette. The amount of nicotine in the patches is gradually reduced over time to wean you off nicotine.
Each day, preferably upon waking up in the morning, you attach a new patch to your skin. You keep the patch on for the next 24 hours. If you prefer, you can remove the patch before bedtime. However, for best results, keep the patch on for at least 16 hours each day.
The Step Down Program
Nicotine patches are available in three different strengths. This helps smokers to gradually reduce their cravings for nicotine.
The initial treatment depends on how many cigarettes you smoke a day. If you smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day, you need to start with patches containing 21 mg of nicotine. Use a patch every day for six weeks. The next step is to use a 14 mg nicotine patch for two weeks. The final step is to use a 7 mg patch for two to four weeks to completely end your cravings to smoke.
For people who smoke less than 10 cigarettes a day, start using a patch with 14 mg of nicotine. Use a nicotine patch daily for 2 weeks. The next step is to use a 7 mg nicotine patch for two to four weeks until you no longer have a desire to smoke.
It's important to read the instructions of the nicotine patch you use. By reading the package label you get a good idea of how the patches work and how much nicotine is in each patch.
Nicotine patches are a discrete way to end your dependency on nicotine. With patches, you can quit smoking in about 10 weeks.
