Nicorette Patch Starter Pack (Step 1,2,3)

Classification
Pharmacy Only Medicine

Dosage
The Combined Solution approved dosage and weaning programme are as follows:

Initial treatment: The treatment should begin with one 15 mg/16 hour patch daily, applied to an intact area of the skin upon waking up in the morning and removed at bedtime, combined with either the 2mg gum or 10mg inhaler. Use a minimum of 4 x 2 mg gums per day; usually 5 - 6 gums will be adequate for effect. Do not use more than 24 gums per day. Usually 4 - 5 inhaler cartridges will be adequate for effect. Do not use more than 12 inhaler cartridges per day. This full dose should be used for 6 - 12 weeks whereafter gradual weaning from the products should be initiated.

Weaning from combination:
This can be done in two ways, either by using lower strength patches I.e. 3 - 6 weeks on 10 mg/16 hour patches and then 3 - 6 weeks on 5 mg/16 hour patches, using the same amount of gum 2mg/inhaler 10mg as the initial treatment period, and then gradually reduce the amount of gum/inhaler up to 12 months. Alternatively stop using the patch and gradually reduce the number of gums/inhaler cartridges up to 12 months.

Recommended dosage:
Initial treatment
First 6-12 weeks:
Patch: 1 patch 15 mg/16 hour per day
Gum 2mg: Ad. libitum Recommended 5 - 6 gums per day
Inhaler 10mg: Ad libitum Recommended 4 - 5 cartridges per day

Weaning - alternative 1
Next 3 - 6 weeks
Patch: 1 patch 10 mg/16 hour per day
Gum 2mg: Continue to use gum as needed
Inhaler 10mg: Continue to use inhaler as needed

Following 3 - 6 weeks
Patch: 1 patch 5 mg/16 hour per day
Gum 2mg: Continue to use gum as needed
Inhaler 10mg: Continue to use inhaler as needed

Up to 12 months No Patch
Gum 2mg: Gradually wean from gum use
Inhaler 10mg: Gradually wean from inhaler use

Weaning - alternative 2
Up to 12 months
No Patch
Gum 2mg: Continue to gradually wean from gum use
Inhaler 10mg: Continue to gradually wean from inhaler use

Ingredients
Each Pack contains:
4 x Nicorette 5mg Patch
4 x Nicorette 10mg Patch
4 x Nicorette 15mg Patch

Purpose/Usage
Which Strength of Nicorette Patch to use and how long it should be used for
There are three different strengths of Nicorette Patch. The patch is applied on waking (usually in the morning) and removed 16 hours later (usually at bedtime). The patch is not intended to be worn while you are sleeping.

When you first start to use the Nicorette Patch you should use the highest strength. This is the 15mg/16hr Nicorette 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 (10mg/16hr) applied daily for 2 weeks, then use the lowest strength patch (5mg/16hr) applied daily for two weeks.

If you have been unable to quit smoking after this time, then further use of the Nicorette Patch may be considered after advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

How to combine use of Nicorette patch and Gum or Inhaler
Normally Nicorette Patch or Gum or Inhaler alone would provide enough nicotine to help most people control their craving for cigarettes. However, some people may find that even though they are using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) they still have intense or frequent cravings they find difficult to cope with. If you are one of these people you may benefit from combining Nicorette Patch with either Nicorette 2mg Gum or Nicorette 10mg Inhaler.

Each morning apply a Nicorette 15mg/16h Patch to an intact area of skin. The Nicorette Patch should be removed before going to bed. After applying the Nicorette Patch use Nicorette 2mg Gum or Nicorette Inhaler whenever a craving occurs.

If you are using Nicorette 2mg Gum try to chew at least 4 pieces of gum every day. Most people will use 5-6 pieces. If you are using Nicorette Inhaler try to use 4-5 cartridges every day.

The combination of Nicorette Patch and Nicorette Gum or Inhaler should be used in this way for 6-12 weeks. After this time if required you can wean yourself off NRT by either:
1. Use the Nicorette 10mg/16h Patch for 3-6 weeks and then use the Nicorette 5mg/16hr patch for 3-6 weeks while using the same number of pieces of Nicorette Gum or Inhaler cartridges in a day that you have routinely used. Then when a patch is no longer needed, gradually reduce the number of pieces of gum or inhaler cartridges until you no longer need them. OR
2. Stop use of the Nicorette 15mg/16hr Patch and then gradually reduce the number of pieces of Nicorette 2mg Gum or inhaler cartridges that are used until you no longer need them.

Precautions
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 Nicorette Patch. Most of the undesirable effects reported by users of Nicorette occur during the first weeks after beginning treatment.