Habitrol
 
What is Habitrol and why is it prescribed?
Habitrol is designed to help you quit smoking by reducing your craving for tobacco. Each adhesive patch contains a specific amount of nicotine embedded in a pad or gel. When you wear a nicotine patch, a specific amount of nicotine steadily travels out of the patch, through your skin, and into your bloodstream, keeping a constant low level of nicotine in your body. Although the resulting level of nicotine is less than you would get from smoking, it may be enough to keep you from craving cigarettes or experiencing other withdrawal symptoms. Habitrol patches are round and come in three strengths: 21, 14, or 7 milligrams of nicotine per patch. You wear a Habitrol patch 24 hours a day. Nicotine patch therapy should be part of an overall stop-smoking program that also includes behavior modification, counseling, and support. The goal of the therapy should be complete cessation of smoking, not just cutting down.

How should you take Habitrol?
Follow your doctors directions for taking Habitrol. The general procedure is as follows: Take a fresh patch out of its packaging and remove the protective liner from the adhesive. Save the wrapper for later disposal of the used patch. Stick the patch onto your outer upper arm or any clean, dry, non-hairy part of your trunk. Press the patch firmly onto your skin for about 10 seconds, making sure that the edges are sticking well. Wash your hands. Any nicotine sticking to your hands could get into your eyes or nose, causing irritation. After 16 or 24 hours (depending on the brand), remove that patch and apply a fresh patch to a different spot on your body. To reduce the chances of irritation, do not return to a previously used spot for at least a week. Fold the used patch in half, place it back in its own wrapper, and throw it in a trash container that cannot be reached by children or pets. Water will not harm the nicotine patch. You may keep wearing your patch while bathing, showering, swimming, or using a hot tub. If your patch does fall off, dispose of it carefully and apply a new patch. As a memory aid, pick a specific time of day and always apply a fresh patch at that time. You may change the schedule if you need to. Just remember not to wear any single patch for more than the recommended time, since after that time the patch will begin to lose strength and may begin to irritate your skin. Do not change brands without consulting your doctor, and do not attempt to adjust your dosage by cutting a patch in pieces. If you are unable to stop smoking after 4 to 10 weeks of wearing nicotine patches, it is likely that patch treatment will not work for you. If you miss a dose apply the patch as soon as you remember. Never use two patches at once. Do not remove a patch from its wrapping until you are ready to use it. Store your supply of patches at temperatures no higher than 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Are there any Habitrol side effects?
Habitrol side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. The most common Habitrol side effects may include dizziness, high blood pressure, itching and burning at the application site, nausea, and redness of the skin. Less common Habitrol side effects may include abnormal dreaming, allergic reactions, back pain, chest pain, constipation, cough, diarrhea, drowsiness, dry mouth, headache, impaired concentration, indigestion, inflammation of sinuses, menstrual irregularities, numb­ness, pain, pins and needles sensation, rash, sleeplessness, sore throat, stomach pain, sweating, taste changes, tingling, vomiting, and weakness.

What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Habitrol?
If Habitrol is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Habitrol with Acetaminophen-containing drugs (such as Tylenol), Caffeine-containing drugs (such as No Doz), Certain airway-opening drugs (such as Isuprel, Dristan, and Neo-Synephrine), Certain blood pressure medicines (such as Minipress, Trandate, and Normodyne), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Haloperidol (Haldol), Imipramine (Tofranil), Insulin, Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), Non-nicotine quit-smoking drugs (such as Zyban), Oxazepam, Pentazocine (Talwin), Propranolol (Inderal), or Theophylline (Theo-Dur).

Are there any special warnings about Habitrol?
Do not smoke, chew, or sniff any form of tobacco while wearing a patch; doing so could give you an overdose of nicotine. Be aware that for several hours after you remove a patch, nicotine from the patch is still in your skin and passing into your bloodstream, so you should not smoke even when the patch is off. The use of nicotine patches may aggravate certain medical conditions. Before you use any brand of nicotine patch, make sure your doctor knows if you have, or have ever had, any of the following conditions: Allergies to drugs, adhesive tape, or bandages, Chest pain from a heart condition (angina), Diabetes requiring insulin injections, Heart attack or heart disease, High blood pressure (severe), Irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia), Kidney disease, Liver disease, Overactive thyroid, Skin disease, or Stomach ulcer. Nicotine, from any source, can be toxic and addictive. Do not use nicotine patches any longer than your doctor prescribes or the product instructions recommend. Thoroughly discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of nicotine replacement therapy. If your heartbeat becomes irregular or you have heart palpitations, stop using the patch and call your doctor. Do the same if redness caused by the patch doesn't go away in 4 days or if your skin swells or develops a rash. Nicotine patches sometimes can cause vivid dreams or other sleep disturbances. If this happens, take the patch off at bedtime. Do not use a patch if its pouch is unsealed. The safety and effectiveness of nicotine patches have not been tested in children. Because a used nicotine patch still contains enough nicotine to poison a child or a pet, you must dispose of used patches with special care. Wrap each patch in the opened pouch or aluminum foil in which it came and throw it in a trash receptacle that is out of the reach of youngsters and animals.
 

Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor.
 

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