Manufacturer:
Novartis Pharmaceuticals

Generic Name:
nicotine

Route:
transdermal system

Why is it prescribed?

Habitrol® patches contains nicotine.

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.

Side Effects

Habitrol® patches contains nicotine.

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)

• fast or irregular heartbeat
• high blood pressure
• hives
• rash
• stomach pain
• coughing
• trouble in sleeping
• unusual dreams
• irritability

Precautions and Warnings for Habitrol® patches

Habitrol® patches contains nicotine

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. The use of nicotine replacement in certain heart conditions (e.g. heart attacks, heart beat irregularities)is contraindicated. 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 concomitant medications may require adjustment. Drugs whose concentrations may be affected by smoking cessation include:

• acetaminophen
• imipramine
• oxazepam
• propranolol
• theophylline
• insulin
• prazosin
• labetalol

Patient Information

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 peak nicotine levels higher than those experienced from smoking alone. Drug interactions: Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking. The following drugs may require an adjustment in dosages: acetaminophen imipramine oxezepam propranolol theophylline insulin Check with your doctor or pharmacist before using Habitrol®,if you have or have had any of the following: heart disease, heart attack or heart pain (angina), irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, stomach problems, stroke, blood circulation problems, kidney or liver disease, brain disease, diabetics, skin diseases. Apply Habitrol®, as directed. If you do not understand how to apply the patch, ask your pharmacist. When you first put on a Nicoderm® patch, mild itiching, 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. When the used patch is removed from the skin, it should be folded over and placed in the protective pouch that contained the new system. The used patch should be immediately disposed of in such a way as to prevent its access by children or pets. Store at room temperature, between 15 and 30°C. Apply immediately upon removal from pouch, and do not store after the pouch has been opened.

Directions for Use

Patients must desire to stop smoking and should be instructed to stop smoking immediately 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.

Lung Diseases Treated with this Drug

• nicotine withdrawal symptoms

Need More Information?

For more information contact your physician, pharmacist, other health care professional or for general questions call your local lung association.