Long Term Effects Of Using Nicotine Patch
Jan 24, 2013 What are the long-term effects of using nicotine Some studies have raised speculation that long-term use of nicotine might like the patch or.
Jun 18, 2005 long term nicotine patch use. if using the nicotine patch long-term is an it s crazy. chewing tobacco also gives stronger effects;.
Nicotine Gum Side Effects: Stories From Long Term both short and long term, by nicotine gum and only managed to quit with the help of the nicotine patch and.
I m wondering if using the nicotine patch long-term is an option. I ve used it to quit smoking before, but enetually when I come off it I tend to slip into drinking or back to smoking. What are the perils of nicotine, specifically, apart from the perils of smoking itself. If I have to be addicted to something, wouldn t a patch be less harmful than pack-a-day smoking or sixer-a-night drinking. Obviously a total eradication of all addictions would be best, but please give me advice on whether this could be a short-term harm-reduction approach, or if the patch is just too dangerous to use for months on end.
posted by anonymous to Health Fitness 10 answers total
Nicotine is a neurotoxic vasoconstrictor that, outside of stimulating the central nervous system, constricts the blood vessels and increases the heart rate and blood pressure of someone using it. Prolonged use causes arteriosclerosis, increased blood pressure and may contribute to heart disease. There is also the possibility that the nicotine itself is a carcinogen but the studies on that are just starting.
Considering that smoking already increases your risk of heart disease, lung disease and cancer of various areas while giving you arteriosclerosis anyway, trading all of those for two of those is better than nothing.
posted by 517 at PM on June 18, 2005 A friend who is a nurse says most of those she s seen quit smoking permanently, cut those patches into 8/ths or 16/ths and stuck on just a dab when they had the craving later, after they quit using them all the time.
posted by unrepentanthippie at PM on June 18, 2005 I know I ve read that you aren t supposed to cut the patch-- supposedly it screws up the time release and you start leeching extra nicotine off the cut edge. Makes sense, though, considering that the step 2 and 3 patches cost the same as step 1, it could just be to keep people from making four boxes of 3 s out of a box of 1 s.
posted by cosmonaught at PM on June 18, 2005 if you really need nicotine, there are alternatives to smoking--safer alternatives. i m still a smoker, but i don t limit myself to cigarettes. chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, even snuff although that adds the additional risk of deteriorating septum, shave off a very small amount of your total life, whereas continued, habitual smoking will shave off many, many years.
a lot of smoking has to do with mental addiction to the routine, as well. the physical addiction is brutal, but the we put ourselves in schedules, give ourselves little routines even lazy motherfuckers like me and one of the hardest things to do will be to not have that cigarette during break, or what have you. Or even if it s not that kind of routine, the process of lighting and inhaling a cigarette is a something you do.
if you can break that barrier, i highly suggest smokeless tobacco. at least if you continue that, it ll be a hell of a lot safer. there are still risks, and unpleasant effects--bad breath, yellower teethwith chewing tobacco, burning a hole in your lip. again, though, the risks of smokeless tobacco take an even longer amount of time to manifest themselves than the obvious risks of cigarette or cigar smoking.
if you re really jonesin for that puff, just use a little self-restraint and force yourself for a chew. even nicorette gum is a good alternative. 90 of those who succesfully quit and regress well, that s POVbegin smoking let s say ; back into smoking do so because of nostalgia--which puts them in the loop of it again. if you re not physically addicted anymore, the only thing that will start you smoking again is missing the days of chilling out with a mighty fine rolled cigarette. if you can withstand that, chew away.
pipe tobacco is also a lot better than just straight cigarettes. smoking regular tobacco out of a bong they do sell water pipes in cigar stores, or out of a pipe is so much more effective, as well. imagine that quick trip you get from inhaling cigarette smoke deep, and amplify it a bit--it s crazy. chewing tobacco also gives stronger effects; whether this is positive or negative is up to you.
best of luck either way. i wouldn t quit cold turkey, i d restrict myself to lesser, but still enjoyable forms of everything: dont stock yourself with any hard liquor, just stick to beer; dont stock yourself with cancer sticks, just alternatives.
posted by Lockeownzj00 at PM on June 18, 2005 Nicotine itself can paralyze the ciliated cells in your respiratory tract that normally sweep debris out of the lungs. As a result, more crap tends to stay inside, with the usual consequences.
That said, patches are obviously orders of magnitude better than smoking, chewing, and so on.
posted by NucleophilicAttack at PM on June 18, 2005 It s probably true that you aren t supposed to cut up the patches, it probably does screw with the delivery system, but I think the point was that in such tiny quantities, even if it does mess with the time release, you d get one tiny release and then the blood levels would taper off gradually.
She was talking in terms of someone using one of these squares every few days or once in a while, not several times a day.
posted by unrepentanthippie at PM on June 18, 2005 I ve cut the patches. It works perfectly well.
posted by Wolof at PM on June 18, 2005 If anyone is still reading this, I d recommend snus, the Swedish variant of smokeless tobacco.
The flavors are more varied than the American variants, and the Swedish gov t claims that snus users have the same rate of oral cancers as the general population, so its about as safe as tobacco use can be.
posted by pandaharma at AM on June 19, 2005 1 favorite Perhaps slightly off-topic: I was pleased when these nicotine patches were finally made over-the-counter. I never did prescribe them, because they violate the first principle of medical ethics: first, do no harm.
Nicotine is harmful; it activates both autonomic systems parasympathetic and sympathetic at the ganglion. Since the two systems are supposed to oppose each other, this is not a healthy situation. It s like comparing a car coasting at 35 mph to a car with the accelerator and brake both floored, traveling at 35 mph. The latter car is subjected to much more wear and tear.
Just stop ingesting harmful compounds. You are a man, after all, not a monkey, and you are imbued with free will.
posted by ikkyu2 at PM on June 19, 2005 It s dangerous to cut the patches - don t do it.
posted by agregoli at AM on June 20, 2005
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Home / Ask Dr. P / How long is too long to wear nicotine a nicotine patch to help of evidence regarding the dangers of long-term use of nicotine.
NRT is the most common medication used by Australian smokers. It is available in 2 main forms:
All can be purchased over-the-counter, however nicotine patches are available on a doctor s prescription with a government subsidy and a substantial cost saving.
The electronic cigarette e-cigarette also delivers nicotine and is being used by some people to assist quitting. Click here to download an information sheet on e-cigarettes and click here to read a brief article.
Nicotine is the main cause of addiction to smoking but has few significant health effects. It is the other 7,000 other ingredients in tobacco smoke such as tars and carbon monoxide which cause disease.
Nicotine replacement products generally work more slowly, and the amount of nicotine in the bloodstream is less than that from smoking. That makes nicotine medications much safer and much less addictive than cigarettes. Also, after you have smoked for a while, you body becomes used to nicotine and is more tolerant of it.
Click below for more about the safety of NRT:
How safe is nicotine replacement therapy.
How much nicotine is too muchGolden rules for using NRT
It is vital to take enough NRT to relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Some people metabolise nicotine faster and need larger doses to get the same effect. Standard doses of NRT provide about half the nicotine your body receives on average when smoking.
Nicotine lozenge and gum are available as 4mg or 2mg pieces or 1.5mg in the case of the minilozenges. Be sure to use the 4mg product if you smoke within 30 minutes of waking.
The doses recommended by the manufacturers are:
Patch. Most smokers need the full strength patch 21mg patch/24 hours or 15mg patch/16 hours. Only light smokers
Mouth spray: Up to 64 sprays per day
Nicotine lozenges: 9-15 pieces per day.
Minilozenges: 1.5mg mini lozenges: 9-20 pieces per day. 4mg mini lozenges: 9-15 pieces per day
Nicotine gum. 2mg gum: 8-20 pieces. 4mg gum: 4-10 pieces.
Inhalator: 3-6 cartridges per day
Don t be afraid to increase the dose if you still have cravings or withdrawal symptoms. Many failures from using NRT are due to underdosing.
Sometimes side-effects mistakenly reported from NRT are actually due to nicotine withdrawal symptoms. You may need more NRT rather than less.
Are you getting enough nicotine. Click here for more.
2. Take the full course of NRT
A full course of NRT is at least 8-12 weeks. Many smokers get overconfident early in the treatment, but don t realise they are doing well because of the treatment. Stopping medication too early often leads to relapse.
Also, it takes time to break the smoking habit and NRT keeps you comfortable while you unlearn many years of smoking behaviour.
Long term use of NRT months or years may increase success rates further and is much safer than continuing to smoke. Click here for more about the importance of taking a full course of NRT.
3. Start the nicotine patch 2 weeks before quitting
Starting the patch 2 weeks before Quit Day is twice as effective as starting it on the day you quit. Smoking while using the patch is safe.
4. Continue the patch after a lapse
Do not remove the patch if you have a slip-up as it helps prevent you from going back to regular smoking. Using the patch while smoking is safe.
5. Use quick-acting forms of NRT to treat cravings
Oral forms of NRT mouth spray, lozenge, gum and inhalator are effective in relieving cravings, for example when triggered by stress, coffee or alcohol. Ideally, they should be used in anticipation of a craving whenever possible. Nicotine mouth spray gives the fastest relief of cravings.
After quitting, it is a good idea to carry some quick acting NRT to relieve cravings, as they can continue to occur for months or years.
The incorrect use of NRT makes it less effective and causes more side-effects. It is important to follow the instructions carefully see below. Do not drink or eat immediately before and while using oral NRT as this reduces the absorption of nicotine in the mouth.
View this video for instructions on using the various nicotine replacement products.
The best results from NRT are from combining a nicotine patch for a steady, slow dose of nicotine with a quick-acting form of NRT mouth spray, gum, lozenge or inhalator for breakthrough cravings.
Combinations work better than single forms of treatment and are recommended for most smokers. They are safe and are usually well tolerated.
Nicotine patches are the most popular form of NRT. A patch is applied to the skin daily and delivers a steady dose of nicotine through the day.
Nicotine absorption from the patch is slow and it takes several hours for the patch to have its full effect. Patches are not so helpful for immediate cravings so are usually combined with a faster acting form of NRT, such as the mouth spray, lozenge, gum or inhalator. Sometimes multiple patches are required to relieve cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
There are two types of nicotine patch. Twenty-four hour patches are usually applied on rising and removed the next morning. They help to protect against early morning cravings and may give better craving relief overall. They can be taken off at bedtime if sleep is disturbed. The 16 hour patch that is applied in the morning and removed at bedtime.
Smokers of 10 or more cigarettes per day normally start on a full strength patch 21mg for the 24 hour patches and 15mg for the 16 hour patches. Sometimes 2 or even 3 patches are required to relieve cravings or withdrawal symptoms.
Correct use of nicotine patches
Nicotine patches work best if started 2 weeks before Quit Day. Apply the patch each morning to clean, dry, hairless skin on the upper arm, chest or back. Use a different location each day to avoid skin irritation.
Sometimes patches are applied at bedtime. The nicotine level builds up overnight and gives good protection against morning cravings. However, the higher nicotine levels at night can disturb sleep.
Nicotine patches can be stopped abruptly or you can gradually taper the dose of nicotine over several weeks, by using weaker strength patches. There is no evidence that either method is better than the other.
Nicotine patches usually stick on well, but sometimes they fall off, especially in hot and humid conditions. Click here for tips for keeping the patches on. If the patch does fall off, it can be taped on again.
Click here to see a video on correct use.
Patches are used for 12 weeks but can be continued for longer if needed.
Long-term addiction to the nicotine patches is very uncommon. However, continuing to use nicotine patches is much safer than returning to smoking.
Patches can cause skin irritation, redness, itch and rash. This is usually mild, but can be treated with 1 hydrocortisone cream if troublesome. It is important to rotate the application site each day to reduce irritation. Click here for more.
Insomnia and vivid dreams can also occur, but tend to improve with time. However, if severe, you can remove the patch at bedtime or a couple of hours before retiring.
Other possible, but uncommon side effects of the nicotine patch include dizziness, racing heartbeat, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches.
With a doctor s prescription, you can receive one course of subsidised patches per 12 month period. The cost is 5.80 per script for pensioners and Health care card holders and 35.40 for others.
Patches can also be purchased over-the-counter, without a prescription, for the full retail price. However, this is still cheaper than smoking.
Package inserts provide detailed, approved information from the manufacturer.
Nicabate 24 hour patch Nicotinell 24 hour patch Nicorette 16 hour patch
Nicotine from the mouth spray Nicorette QuickMist is sprayed directly into the mouth and is absorbed much more rapidly than other forms of NRT. It starts to relieve cravings after one minute and delivers its maximum effect in about 10 minutes.
Spray under the tongue or onto the inside of the cheek, being careful to avoid the lips and eyes. Do not inhale while spraying and do not swallow for a few seconds after spraying.
Use the mouth spray when cigarettes would normally be smoked or for quick relief if cravings occur.
Do not drink or eat for 10 minutes before and for 5 minutes after using the mouth spray as this reduces the absorption of nicotine in the mouth. Try not to swallow saliva for a minute or two after each spray.
The recommended dose is 1-2 sprays every 30-60 minutes, up to a maximum of 4 sprays per hour or 64 sprays per day.
A course of 12 weeks is recommended. The number of sprays can be gradually reduced towards the end of treatment.
Figure: Spray directly into the mouth every 30-60 minutes
Side-effects from the mouth spray include irritation of the mouth and throat, increased saliva, nausea, dyspepsia, headache and hiccups.
The recommended retail price is 39.95 for a single pump spray 150 sprays and 59.95 for a double pack.
Figure: Nicabate lozenges and
Like the gum, nicotine lozenges are held in the mouth and release nicotine as they dissolve. Nicotine is absorbed through the lining of the mouth. The lozenges are more discreet than the gum and can be used inconspicuously in public.
The lozenge is available in 2 strengths, 2mg and 4mg. Smokers who have their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking should take the 4mg lozenge. There is also a popular minilozenge, which is available in 1.5mg and 4mg strengths.
Allow the lozenge to dissolve in mouth moving it from side to side from time to time. Try not to swallow saliva excessively. The minilozenges take about 10-15 minutes to dissolve and the regular lozenges take 20-30 minutes. Do not chew or swallow the lozenge.
Like the nicotine gum, the lozenge takes about 30 minutes for the full effect to kick in. It is best used on a regular basis, for example one piece hourly. It can also be used 15 minutes before entering a situation where you may be tempted e.g. being with other smokers.
Do not eat or drink while the lozenge is in the mouth as this reduces the absorption of nicotine into the bloodstream.
The recommended daily dosages are:
Minilozenges. 1.5mg mini lozenges: 9-20 pieces; 4mg mini lozenges: 9-15 pieces
Lozenges: 2mg 4mg lozenges: 9-15 pieces
If in doubt, it is always better to use more rather than less pieces.
A 12 week course is recommended.
Lozenges can cause nausea, hiccups, heartburn and flatulence if sucked too quickly or swallowed. Try to make them last longer if this is occurring. Other side-effects include insomnia, dizziness, headache, cough, sore throat.
The current recommended retail prices are:
Mini-lozenge: 20-pack 11.95; 60-pack 30.99.
Lozenge: 36-pack 19.99; 72-pack 33.99
Nicabate lozenges Nicabate minilozenges
Nicotine gum delivers nicotine to the mouth where it is absorbed into the body through the lining of the cheek.
Nicotine gum is available in two strengths: 2mg and 4mg. If you smoke within 30 minutes of waking you should begin treatment with the 4mg dose.
Nicotine gum should not be chewed like chewing gum. It requires a special chewing technique, called the chew and park method. Place one piece in the mouth and chew slowly until you feel a tingling or peppery taste, usually after about 10 chews. Park the gum between your cheek and gums until the tingling goes usually about a minute. Then chew again slowly until the tingling returns. Repeat this cycle for 30 minutes or until the peppery taste fades and then dispose of the gum.
The nicotine from the gum takes about 30 minutes for the full effect to kick in. It is best used on a regular basis, for example one piece hourly. It can also be used 15 minutes before entering a situation where you may be tempted e.g. being with other smokers.
It is important not to eat or drink while the gum is in the mouth or for 10 minutes before as this interferes with the absorption of the nicotine into the lining of the mouth.
Click here to see a video on correct use.
The recommended dose is 9-15 pieces of gum per day. If in doubt, it is best to use more rather than fewer pieces.
A full course of treatment is 12 weeks. Tapering the amount of gum chewed helps users to stop using it.
Some people choose to continue the gum long-term to provide ongoing support. This is much safer than going back to smoking.
Hiccups and nausea can occur if the gum is chewed too rapidly and excessive nicotine is swallowed. Vigorous chewing can also cause jaw discomfort. Some other possible side-effects of the gum include bad taste, throat irritation and a racing heartbeat. Nicotine gum also sticks to dentures and is not suitable for denture wearers.
Nicotine gum is available over-the-counter without a prescription. The recommended retail price of Nicabate 2mg or 4mg gum is 9.99 for a 24-pack and 28.49 for a 96-pack.
Nicabate gum Nicotinell gum Nicorette gum
The nicotine inhaler Nicorette Inhalator is a hollow plastic tube with a replaceable nicotine cartridge inside. It is good for people who like to handle a cigarette. When you puff on the inhalator, a nicotine vapour goes into your mouth and is absorbed through the lining of the mouth.
Figure: A replaceable nicotine cartridge sits inside a hollow pipe.
Take shallow puffs from the inhalator into the mouth, not deep breaths into the lungs. You can take a puff approximately every 2 seconds or just puff as needed. A good rule of thumb is to puff for about 20 minutes every hour. Replace the cartridge when the taste fades, about every 3 hours.
Since the amount of nicotine from a puff of the inhalator is much less than that of a cigarette, about 10 times as many puffs are needed compred to smoking.
Use 3-6 cartridges per day initially, increasing if needed. Each cartridge contains 15mg of nicotine.
A 12 week treatment course is recommended. The number of puffs can be gradually reduced towards the end of treatment.
Side-effects include cough, irritation of mouth and throat, abdominal discomfort, nausea, hiccups and vomiting. Breathing or puffing on the inhaler too deeply will make you cough more.
The recommended retail price of a starter pack containing a mouthpiece 4 cartridges is 9.99. A pack of 42-cartridges is 39.99.
The package inserts provides detailed, approved information from the manufacturer.
Nicotine mouth strips are the latest form of nicotine replacement therapy. The mint flavoured strips are reported to give fast craving control which can help when smokers are exposed to smoking triggers, such as the smell of smoke or stress.
The thin films are recommended for smokers who are not heavily addicted and who smoke their first cigarette more than 30 minutes after rising. The strips release the same amount of nicotine as 2mg nicotine gum and 2mg lozenge. However, they can be used in combination with nicotine patches for increased potency.
Each strip is contained in an individual sachet. After opening the sachet, the thin film is place on the tongue. The mouth should then be closed and the film pressed to the roof of the mouth. The strips dissolve completely in about 3 minutes, releasing 2.5mg of nicotine.
The oral strips come in packs of 15 RRP 14.99 and 60 RRP 49.99 and can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription.
The manufaturer recommends a 12 week course using the following schedule:
Weeks 1 to 6: 1 strip every 1 to 2 hours
Weeks 7 to 9: 1 strip every 2 to 4 hours
Weeks 10 to 12: 1 strip every 4 to 8 hours
To help stay smoke-free after the course of treatment, you can use a strip in situations when you experience strong urges.
If the strips are not relieving your urges or withdrawal symptoms, you may need to use them more often or combine them with a nicotine patch.
Side-effects are usually mild and include nausea, throat irritation, hiccups and headache. A study of 200 subjects demonstrated they are as well tolerated as the nicotine lozenge.
The package insert provides detailed, approved information from the manufacturer.
Long-term addiction to the nicotine but uncommon side effects of the nicotine patch Nicotine mouth strips are the latest form of nicotine replacement therapy.
long term nicotine patch use?
