Habitrol Patch (21mg) helps you to give up smoking by relieving the desire to smoke, as well as some of the unpleasant effects. Each box contains 7 patches
Medicine Classification:
Pharmacy Medicine
Purpose:
Helps you stop smoking
Active Ingredients:
Each Patch contains 52.5mg nicotine
General:
Habitrol Patch helps you to give up smoking by relieving the desire to smoke, as well as some of the unpleasant effects, which smokers experience when they stop smoking
How Habitrol Patch works
Smokers have both a physical reliance on nicotine (i.e. the body becomes dependent on nicotine) and a psychological reliance on the smoking habit
When you give up smoking, your body will miss the effects of nicotine and you will miss the habit of smoking
Habitrol Patch helps you to tackle these two sides of the problem separately, instead of all at once
It is your body's dependence on nicotine, which causes withdrawal symptoms when you suddenly stop smoking. Nicotine is an addictive substance. Symptoms may include irritability, restlessness, depression, weight gain, and craving for cigarettes
Habitrol Patch is intended to ease such withdrawal symptoms by providing your body with nicotine. This leaves your mind free to concentrate on overcoming your psychological desire to smoke
Habitrol patch has been designed to slowly allow nicotine to be absorbed through your skin. The amount of nicotine in the Habitrol Patch is sufficient to help overcome the withdrawal symptoms but is lower than the amount of nicotine which you get from smoking. Therefore, overcoming your reliance on the nicotine in Habitrol Patch is much easier than overcoming your dependence on the nicotine you get from smoking
Habitrol Patch is intended to help you to give up smoking, but you will only be successful in becoming a non-smoker if you are determined to quit
Which Strength of Habitrol Patch to use and how long it should be used for
There are three different strengths of Habitrol Patch. The patch is applied on waking (usually in the morning) and removed 24 hours later
When you first start to use the Habitrol Patch you should use the highest strength. This is the 21mg Habitrol Patch. You should use this strength patch daily for 8 weeks
Then you should reduce the amount of nicotine you are using by changing the strength of the patch you use. Use the next lower strength patch (14mg) applied daily for 2 weeks, then use the lowest strength patch (7mg) applied daily for two weeks
This gradual reduction in the amount of nicotine will help your body get used to going without nicotine
The patches each last 16 hours, are easy to use, and can be discreetly worn under clothing
Precautions
When you must not use Habitrol Patch
Do not use Habitrol Patch If:
You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant
There is medical evidence that nicotine in any form may be harmful to an unborn child. Therefore it is recommended that you do not use Habitrol if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, unless you are unable to stop smokig without nicotine replacement. Talk to your doctor before using Habitrol Patch during pregnancy
You are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed
Nicotine passes freely into breastmilk, and can affect the health of the baby. Therefore it is recommended that you do not use Habitrol Patch if you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed
You have had a recent heart attack or stroke
You have heart disease such as palpitations (fast or irregular heart beats) or uncontrolled angina (chest pain)
You are a non-smoker
You are under 18 Years old
There is not enough information about the use of Habitrol Gum in children
You are allergic to nicotine or may be sensitive to the patch adhesive
You should not use Habitrol Patch if the expiry date printed on the carton has passed or the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering
Do not give Habitrol Patch to anyone else to use as it is recommended that they seek professional advice prior to starting treatment
Before you start to use Habitrol Patches
If you have had any of the following, you should ask for your doctor or pharmacist's advice before using Habitrol Patch
These medical conditions may need consideration by or discussion with your doctor or pharmacist. You and your doctor or pharmacist can then weigh up the risk of using Habitrol Patch against the benefits you will get if you stop smoking
The medical conditions include:
Angina (chest pain) or any other problem with your heart or blood vessels such as pain in one or more legs when you walk
High Blood Pressure
Previous Stroke
Kidney disease
Liver disease
Stomach ulcer or pain
Hyperthyroidism (a disorder of the thyroid gland)
Phaeochromocytoma (a tumour of the adrenal gland)
Diabetes
Taking Other medicines
If you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription, in a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop, the way these medicines work may be affected once you stop smoking
These medicines may include:
Theophylline (asthma medication)
Insulin
Imipramine (antidepressant)
Pentazocine (pain medication).
If you use too much (overdose) or in accidental poisoning
Over dosage can occur if more than one patch is used, or you smoke or use other nicotine containing products while you are wearing a patch
Symptoms of overdose or poisoning include:
Nausea and vomiting
Salivating
Diarrhoea
Abdominal Pain
Cold sweats
Weakness
Disturbed hearing
Headache
Breathing difficulties
Weak, rapid or irregular pulse
Loss of consciousness
In the event of yourself or someone else showing symptoms seek medical advice
You can also help by doing the following:
Remove all the nicotine patches
Flush the skin with water and dry it
Adverse Effects
Nicotine like all other medicines may cause unwanted side effects in some people
Seek professional advice from your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are using Habitrol Patch. Most of the undesirable effects reported by users of Habitrol occur during the first weeks after beginning treatment. Some are minor and temporary but others may need medical attention
You may notice the following:
Redness or itching of the skin where the patch has been
Headache
Nausea and/or vomiting
General skin redness and hives
Dizziness
Sleeplessness
Some effects, such as dizziness, headache and sleeplessness may be withdrawal symptoms due to low nicotine levels
If any of these effects do not go away, or you have any other undesirable effects during use, tell your doctor or pharmacist
Warning:
Store below 25°C
For external use only
Patches must be kept out of the reach of children both before and after use
Dosage:
Apply ONE patch daily
Smokers smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day, start on HABITROL STEP 1
Smokers smoking less than 20 cigarettes per day start on HABITROL STEP 2
HABITROL patches are not recommended for occasional smokers
How to use Habitrol Patches
Choose and prepare an area of skin
Before you open the pouch choose an area of skin and make sure it is clean and dry. Any area of the body could be used, but preferably hairless skin is best to stick the patch on. Some examples may be the upper thigh, hip, the upper arm or the chest
The patch should be placed on a different part of the body each day. This will help reduce skin irritation
Each patch is sealed in a childproof pouch. You will need a pair of scissors to cut the pouch open. Cut along one edge of the pouch with the scissors and carefully remove the patch. Be sure to handle the patch carefully as the nicotine on the sticky side could come off on your hands. This can cause stinging and redness if it gets near your eyes or nose
To apply the patch remove the clear plastic coating and press the sticky side onto the clean dry skin for about 10 seconds. Run your finger around the edge of the patch to ensure it sticks properly
If you apply the patch correctly you can shower, bathe or swim without worrying about it coming off
Customer Declaration:
By ordering this product you acknowledge that you have
read and understand the information about this product
Price Includes Delivery (Courier in New Zealand, Airmail Elsewhere) for orders over $50