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The stamp tobacco is offered for sale only in pharmacies and on prescription issued since April 1992 under the name of Nicotinell TTS and Nicopatch.

This patch allows the maintenance of blood plasma nicotine concentration, which will be gradually reduced.

You should know that a self-regulating membrane ensures regular and continuous release of the active ingredient. It is gradually decreasing cravings and reduces the effects of abstinence in dependent subjects (see DEPENDENCE).

Smoking cessation results in heavy smokers important problems (nervousness, irritability or depressive syndrome).

The only motivation is not necessarily enough, the patch is a step in the necessary assistance must be available to smokers who want to quit, because it allows the steady release of nicotine in the body.

Recall that in less than 10 seconds of inhaling cigarette smoke makes the arrival of nicotine to the brain.

Blood levels of nicotine cravings rule. If the level drops, the need to take a cigarette arises.

So the gradual and continuous release of nicotine patch helps stabilize the nicotine concentrations and craving disappears gradually. The nicotine concentrations after installing the patch reached a plateau from the fourth day.

Heavy smokers (more than a pack a day and more than 6 wide Fagerstrom score: see EVALUATION OF TOBACCO DEPENDENCE) shall apply on the outside of the arm, chest and hip, a patch of 30 cm2 that deliver 21 mg of nicotine per 24 hours for a month, then a patch of 20 cm2 that deliver for a month 14 mg of nicotine per 24 hours, and then a patch of 10 cm2 that deliver 7 mg of nicotine per 24 hours.

The presentations of this patch for modulating the dose.

We must respect absolutely the 3 months of treatment.

The method is successful in 40-50% of cases against only 20% for other methods or in PLACEBO.

The treatment costs about 1,500 francs for the treatment of three months. It is not reimbursed by social security, but the economy of buying cigarettes far outweighs the expense.

There may be some cons-indications to the installation of the patch: allergy to nicotine, ANGOR, RECENT MYOCARDIAL, ARRHYTHMIAS, Pregnancy and lactation (see these terms).

Some precautions must be taken in cases of hypertension, peripheral arterial disease (see ARTERITIS), cerebral circulatory insufficiency, hyperthyroidism, renal failure, hepatic, and in case of peptic ulcer. It is for these reasons that the patch is available only on prescription.

In conclusion, let it be changed every day instead of applying the patch to avoid the phenomenon of skin irritation and especially that it is imperative to stop smoking when you decided to use these devices if the accumulation of nicotine becomes too large in the body and is a source of serious complications sometimes.