Nicoderm

History

NicoDerm is Manufactured by ALZA Corporation, based in Mountain View. It is marketed by GSK, Aventis and Pfizer.

NicoDerm was approved by the FDA in 1991, touted as the original "nicotine transdermal system."

NicoDerm was originally the second product to provide an alternative to the withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. By the time NicoDerm patches hit the market, nicotine gums, such as Pfizer's Nicotrol gum (no longer in production) had already been quite popular.

Shortly after NicoDerm's release, Clear NicoDerm was released, as some users complained about the patch's inability to match a wide variety of skin colours. Over the past several years, NicoDerm has become the most popular topical nicotine alternative.

Also shortly after NicoDerm's release, many other pharmaceutical companies began releasing many nicotine replacement therapies, such as Nicotrol, which for a time encompassed Pfizer's entire line of products, including gum, lozenges, inhalers and nasal sprays. Of the Pfizer line of products, it appears that the Nicotrol inhaler and nasal spray are the only two products that appear to still be in production.

For a short time GSK did produce an inhaler, but it would seem that Pfizer's experience in design prevailed, and GSK relented, opting rather to produce more consumer oriented products.

How It Works

Unlike adhesive bandages, topical patches generally use a solid plastic backing, occasionally with a fabric covering on the outside to look like an adhesive bandage. Unlike adhesive bandages, topical patches use a much stronger adhesive, allowing them to maintain their hold without having to wrap around to themselves, be covered or taped.

Like any other topical patch currently available on the market right now, NicoDerm's adhesive also mediates the release of the medication through the skin.

NicoDerm comes in 3 different variations ranging from 7mg to 21mg. The main difference between each level is not the amount of nicotine placed between the backing and the adhesive, but the size of the patch. This is due to the nature of the adhesive. For the adhesive to maintain its hold properly, the consistency of it must remain the same, thereby allowing only a specific amount of nicotine through.

General Usage

GlaxoSmithKline recommends starting with the Step 1(21mg) patch for smokers who smoke more than half a pack (10 cigarettes) a day. Smokers of half a pack or less per day are recommended to start with Step 2(14mg) patches. Smokers are advised to use the initially chosen step for six weeks, and use the additional step(s) for two weeks each.

It is recommended to find a fairly flat spot on the body that will not bend or unsettle the patch too much. This has become somewhat more lenient as GSK has recently (late 2005) released a "ThinFlex" version of NicoDerm, which moves more easily with the body. It is also wise to avoid spots that have long, or thick hair, this can disrupt the adhesive making the patch less effective, and also harder --and possibly painful-- to remove.

When placing the patch, remove the plastic backing from the adhesive, and place one flat edge of the adhesive on a dry, clean area of the skin, roll your hand over the rest of the patch until it completely covers the patch. Hold for ten to fifteen seconds to make sure that the adhesive takes hold.

If the patch does not hold, discard it safely by folding it in half with the adhesive inside, clean and dry the skin and repeat.

NicoDerm, like most other topical nicotine treatments, should not be worn for more than 24 hours. As the NicoDerm patch does not allow the skin under it to breathe, it must be removed after such time to prevent the skin from beginning to die. When removing the patch, simply peel away from the skin, fold the adhesive side into itself and discard somewhere that pets and children cannot get at it.

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