Quitting Smoking With Patches: How They Work

Nicotine patches are one of the most familiar forms of nicotine replacement therapy. They do not make stopping smoking effortless, but they can take the edge off withdrawal so you can focus on breaking the habits that go with smoking.

How patches work

A patch sticks to the skin and releases nicotine slowly through the day. Because you get a steady background level of nicotine, without the smoke, cravings and withdrawal symptoms tend to be less intense. The harmful substances in tobacco smoke are what cause most smoking-related disease; patches deliver nicotine without them.

16-hour or 24-hour?

Patches come in versions worn during waking hours only or around the clock. Some people prefer the 24-hour type if they crave a cigarette as soon as they wake up; others find that wearing a patch overnight disturbs their sleep. A pharmacist can help you choose.

Using them well

• Put a new patch on clean, dry, hair-free skin, such as the upper arm or hip, and change the spot each day.
• Start on the day you stop smoking.
• Follow the product instructions on strength and on how to step down over the course of treatment.
• Many people combine a patch with a faster-acting product, such as gum or a spray, for sudden cravings — ask about this first.

Possible side effects

Some people notice skin irritation where the patch sits, vivid dreams or disturbed sleep. Moving the patch to a different spot, or removing a 24-hour patch at bedtime, often helps. If side effects bother you, talk to a pharmacist.

Who should check first?

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a heart condition, or take other medicines, speak to a GP, pharmacist or stop-smoking adviser before using nicotine replacement.

Patches as part of a plan

Patches work best alongside support. Stop-smoking services are free in many areas and can help you plan your quit date and handle cravings. Our quit smoking timeline describes what to expect along the way, and some adult smokers also consider refillable vapes, covered in our article on moving from disposables to a pod system.