Is the Nicotine Patch a Good Way to Stop Smoking?

Nicotine in tobacco products is the addictive component that makes it difficult for people to quit smoking and other tobacco products. 

The pharmacological effects of nicotine are what lead to the addiction to tobacco products which is injurious for health. 

Apart from the addictive nicotine, there are other chemical ingredients in tobacco that result in an increased number of deaths and terminal diseases like cancer. 

Therefore, tobacco users resorted to different forms of NRT to decrease their nicotine cravings and use of tobacco products. And Nicotine Patches became the most widely used form of NRT simply because they were correctly used by tobacco consumers. 

Approval Of  Transdermal Patches by FDA

Jed Rose, founder of the University of California Los Angeles’ (UCLA’s) Nicotine research program, together with his brother and Murray Jarvik discovered nicotine patches. The team published their first study on the subject in the year 1984. 

In the mid of 1990s, the team got nicotine patches approved by the FDA and launched them as prescription drugs in 1991. However, the major milestone was achieved in the mid-1990s, when FDA gave approval for different types of NRTs to be sold over-the-counter.

Other forms of FDA-approved NRT include gums, lozenges, nasal sprays, and inhalers. However, people have started preferring Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) or e-cigarettes over other forms of NRT. However, e-cigarettes are not approved by the FDA. 

Health Issues Associated With Nicotine

The addictive property of nicotine is what makes quitting tobacco extremely challenging. There can be 8 to 20 milligrams of nicotine in a single cigarette, with an average of 12 milligrams. 

Though the amount of nicotine in a cigarette may vary, one thing that is persistent is that the human body receives 1 milligram of nicotine from every cigarette consumed. 

This nicotine is then absorbed immediately and goes from your lungs, into your bloodstream, and finally to your brain. Now, this nicotine will activate your brain and create a number of receptors. These receptors release chemicals that will give you pleasure. 

The issue is that the use of tobacco creates a huge amount of such receptors in the brain of a regular smoker. And thus, his brain becomes dependent on such receptors to release feelings of pleasure. 

This addiction leads to serious health issues like cancer, leukemia, diabetes, heart stroke, etc. 

Are Nicotine Patches Effective?

Nicotine patches transmit low/measured doses of nicotine into the bloodstream through a person’s skin. This nicotine is delivered at a rate similar to that of smoking. This results in reducing withdrawal symptoms like nicotine cravings and also the rewarding effect of consuming tobacco products.  

Eventually, you can turn to lower-dose patches and finally get rid of nicotine addiction. 

However, quitting tobacco has both physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine patches are effective in reducing physical symptoms. But, you need to take therapy and enroll in support programs to reduce emotional symptoms like anxiety. 

Nicotine Patch Dosage

Heavy smokers typically start with full-strength patches, delivering 15 mg - 22 mg of nicotine daily for the first few weeks. They then use a weaker strength patch that delivers 5 mg - 14 mg of nicotine daily for the remaining weeks. 

According to the FDA, one should use a nicotine patch for approximately 3 - 5 months. 

Potential Side-Effects of Nicotine Patches

Possible side effects of nicotine patches may include: 

• Nausea

• Increased heartbeat

• Skin irritation

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Sleep issues

• Vomiting 

• Stomach issues

• Diarrhea

• Seizures

You may change the brand for the nicotine patch in case you develop skin irritation. Or go for a different form of NRT in case of further issues. It is suggested to consult your doctor before considering any of the alternative options. 

Symptoms of Nicotine Overdose

Nicotine overdose from different forms of NRT is rare, but it is certainly possible. The NRT products provide you with a nicotine supply similar to or close to what you get from the use of tobacco products.

Obviously, one does not want higher doses as these can prove to be fatal. Therefore, make sure you follow the instructions given both by your doctor and on the nicotine patch cover. 

Some of the symptoms of Nicotine overdose  include:

• Diarrhea

• Headache

• Stomach pain

• Restlessness

• Weakness

• Seizures

• Confusion

• High blood pressure

• Shakiness

• Pale skin

• Dizziness, etc