How the Patch Can Help You Quit
Smoking and Your Body:
When you smoke a cigarette, nicotine reaches your brain in just seconds after each puff. Your brain and body get used to functioning with a certain level of nicotine. Your nicotine level drops dramatically after your last cigarette, and then you begin experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Common nicotine withdrawal symptoms include intense cravings for nicotine, irritability, anxiety, depression, restlessness, difficulty concentrating, difficulty sleeping and increased appetite. Physical withdrawal symptoms usually peak within 24 to 72 hours after quitting, then decline over the next several weeks. However, some smokers may experience withdrawal symptoms for several months.
How the Patch Works:
This patch program offers three patches with different dosing levels. You can move to a lower dose patch by changing the patch you wear to gradually reduce your nicotine level over an eight-week period. This program will help to reduce your nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, restlessness, headaches, difficult sleeping and concentrating, increased appetite, and craving for nicotine. By helping to reduce these physical withdrawal symptoms, the patch helps you concentrate on the psychological aspects of quitting and to change your habits that trigger your nicotine cravings.
This patch program takes 8 weeks to complete. At the end of the program, you should stop using the patch. It is important that you keep using the patch until you have completed the entire program, and continue to use the support program when you need it.
It is important that you are committed and fully prepared to give up smoking. If you are under 18 years of age, ask a doctor before use.
If you smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day:
Weeks 1 - 4 - Use Step 1 (21mg/day)
Weeks 5 and 6 - Use Step 2 (14mg/day)
Weeks 7 and 8 - Use Step 3 (7mg/day)
