Nicotine Patch
FDA Label NDC 50090-1697

Nicotine, 21 mg delivered over 24 hours

Nicotine, 14 mg delivered over 24 hours

Nicotine, 7 mg delivered over 24 hours

Stop smoking aid

Reduces withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting smoking

• If you continue to smoke, chew tobacco, use snuff, use nicotine gum, or use nicotine patch or other nicotine-containing products

• Heart disease, recent heart attack, or irregular heartbeat. Nicotine can increase your heart rate.
• High blood pressure not controlled with medication. Nicotine can increase your blood pressure.
• An allergy to adhesive tape or skin problems because you are more likely to get rashes

• Using a non-nicotine stop smoking drug
• Taking a prescription medicine for depression or asthma. Your prescription dose may need to be adjusted.

• Do not smoke even when not wearing the patch. The nicotine in your skin will still be entering your bloodstream for several hours after you take off the patch.
• If you have vivid dreams or other sleep disturbances, remove this patch at bedtime

• Skin redness caused by the patch does not go away after four days, or your skin swells, or you get a rash
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations occur
• You get symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, and rapid heartbeat

Used patches have enough nicotine to poison children and pets. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Save pouch to use for patch disposal. Dispose of used patch by folding sticky ends together and putting in pouch.

• If you are under 18 years of age, ask a doctor before use
• Before using this product, read the enclosed self-help guide for complete directions and other information
• Stop smoking completely when you begin using the patch
• If you smoke more than 10 cigarettes per day, use the following schedule:

Weeks 1 thru 4	Weeks 5 and 6	Weeks 7 and 8
STEP 1	STEP 2	STEP 3
use one 21 mg patch/day	use one 14 mg patch/day	use one 7 mg patch/day

• If you smoke 10 or less cigarettes per day, start with Step 2 for 6 weeks, then Step 3 for 2 weeks and then stop
• Apply one new patch every 24 hours on skin that is dry, clean, and hairless
• Remove backing from patch and immediately press onto skin. Hold for 10 seconds.
• Wash hands after applying or removing patch. Save pouch to use for patch disposal. Dispose of used patch by folding sticky ends together and putting in pouch.
• The used patch should be removed and a new one applied to a different skin site at the same time each day
• If you have vivid dreams, you may remove the patch at bedtime and apply a new one in the morning
• Do not wear more than one patch at a time
• Do not cut patch in half or into smaller pieces
• Do not leave patch on for more than 24 hours because it may irritate your skin and loses strength after 24 hours
• Stop using the patch at the end of 8 weeks. If you still feel the need to use the patch talk to your doctor.

Store at 20°-25°C (68°-77°F)

acrylate adhesive, polyester, silicone adhesive

Call-1-877-440-7867 8 AM - 8PM ET, Monday-Friday

This product is not affiliated with Novartis Consumer Health, Inc.

1. You must be motivated to quit.

2. Use one patch daily according to directions.

3. It is important to complete treatment.

4. If you feel you need to use the patch for a longer period to keep from smoking, talk to your health care provider.

5. Use patch with a behavioral support program such as the one described in the enclosed booklet.

I: Thinking About Quitting

Why the Behavior Support Program Leads to Success ……………...............................1

Working Towards Success - The Stages Of Change…………………............................1

Which Way Now? …………………………………………………………..............................5

Why I Want to Stop Smoking……………………………………………...............................6

Health Benefits of Quitting ………………………………………………..............................7

II: Getting Started: Your Personal Quit Plan

Setting Your Quit Date ......................................………………………………………...….....7

Understanding Nicotine Addiction………………………………………..............................8

Smoking and your body ………………………………………….…......................................8

Smoking and your mind …………………………………………….......................................8

Knowing your "triggers" ………………………………………….….......................................9

Taming Your "Triggers" ………………………………………………….................................9

Reducing the Urge to Smoke …………………………………………..................................9

Building Your Supporting Cast …………………………………………................................11

Countdown to Quit Day - 10 Steps to Success ……………………................................... 12

Rewarding Yourself………………………………………….…………...................................13

If You Slip ……………………………………………………………….....................................13

III: The Patch

Important Information About This Nicotine Transdermal System …..................................14

How the Patch Works …………………………………………………......................................15

How to Use the Patch ……………………………………….…………......................................16

IV: Weight Control Guide ……………………………………….………............................ ......21

V: You Are On Your Way! ............................................................................................................23

VI: Your Daily Success Calendar …………………………….……….…................................24

VII: The Behavior Support Program ………………………………….….…..........................32

Last revised: November 2016

Nicotine Transdermal System Patch Stop Smoking Aid

Why the Behavior Support Program Leads to Success  

Congratulations! You’ve joined millions of others who have made the important and rewarding decision to quit smoking. A large percentage of smokers have already successfully quit. You can too. You’ve already taken the first smart step by choosing the patch and the Behavior Support Program. The program includes the use of nicotine replacement therapy and behavioral support, a combination that can significantly increase your chances of quitting.

The patch helps smokers quit smoking by reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Many patch users will be able to stop smoking for at least a few days, but many will start smoking again. Most smokers usually have to try to quit several times before they completely stop.

Your own chances to stop smoking depend on how strongly you are addicted to nicotine, how much you want to quit, and how closely you follow a quitting program like the one that comes with this product. If you find you cannot stop or if you start smoking again after using this product, please talk to a health care professional who can help you find a program that may work better for you.

First, there is the 3-step nicotine patch that delivers controlled amounts of nicotine to help reduce your withdrawal cravings for nicotine. The patch utilizes nicotine replacement therapy, and through the use of step-down dosing, gradually reduces the amount of nicotine in your system.

Second, the Behavior Support Program, developed by behavioral change and smoking cessation experts, recognizes that quitting smoking is a personal journey that occurs in six stages, known as the "Stages of Change."

The Behavior Support Program offers the following support elements to help you quit:

1. This guide will teach you how to move through the quit process by helping you to identify your reasons for quitting, manage urges to smoke, recover from slips and control your weight.

2. For support, contact the free sources of information: The American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org or The American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 or http://www.lung.org will offer you friendly support and information. You can use these resources to help you get ready to quit, manage urges, cope with withdrawal symptoms, recover from slips and deal with smoking spouses and friends.

If you have trouble using the patch, ask your doctor or pharmacist or contact our toll free number at 1-844-562-7963. Call Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm EST. 

Working Towards Success — The Stages of Change

Quitting smoking is a process that begins long before your quit day. Researchers have determined that smokers go through the following six "Stages of Change" while on the road to becoming smoke-free.

When you’ve made the decision to quit within the next month, and you have experimented with making changes, you’ve entered the Preparation Stage. Most people who have purchased the patch for the first time are in this stage. Preparation is a good name for this stage because thorough preparation greatly improves your chances of success. Just "winging it" or relying on willpower alone is not enough. You need a game plan that includes setting a quit date and committing to at least one person that you will make this change.  Using this guide, as well as contacting the professionals at the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org or the American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 or http://www.lung.org, to help you become fully prepared for your quit day and beyond. Support is available 7 days a week from 7 am to 11 pm CST.

On the day that you quit smoking, you are in the Action Stage. It’s time to set your plan in motion. You will probably experience cravings for nicotine and urges to have a cigarette throughout the day, but through preparation, you have developed multiple strategies for dealing with your "triggers," withdrawal symptoms and those cravings or urges to smoke. It’s important to start using the patch on the morning of your quit day to help reduce urges to smoke and other withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and difficulty concentrating.

If you are able to remain smoke-free for 6 months, you enter the Maintenance Stage. You like your new life, but still have occasional urges. Watch out for overconfidence. Thinking you can smoke "just one cigarette" should be a blinking neon warning sign. For most people, that one cigarette leads to two, then three, then full-time smoking again. Constantly remind yourself of the benefits you now enjoy as a nonsmoker. Have a plan ready to help you manage unexpected situations that may cause you stress and challenge your resolve to remain smoke-free. Most successful quitters will have occasional urges for many years.

Only about 1 in 5 quitters reach the Termination Stage, in which they have absolutely no temptation to smoke, and are 100% confident that they will never smoke again.

Your own chances to stop smoking depend on how strongly you are addicted to nicotine, how much you want to quit, and how closely you follow a quitting program like the one that comes with this product. If you find you cannot stop or if you start smoking again after using this product, please talk to a health care professional who can help you find a program that may work better for you.

Which Way Now?

If you are planning on quitting within the next month or have recently quit, continue working through this guide to develop your personal quit plan, including the use of the patch. If you have any questions or need additional support, contact the professionals at the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org or the American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 or http://www.lung.org. You will be encouraged by the wealth of information and support that is readily available.

If you are not planning on quitting soon, this isn’t the time for you to use the patch, but the professionals at the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org or the American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 or http://www.lung.org can still help you. They can offer you personalized feedback about your smoking, help you set a quit date, assist you with your ambivalence about quitting and provide you information about the resources available to you, even before you’re ready to quit. You can also help a friend or family member who is trying to quit by passing along this information about the Behavior Support Program. Use of the American Cancer Society:  http://www.cancer.org or the American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 or http://www.lung.org.

 Why I Want to Stop Smoking

Knowing that there are benefits to quitting is essential to your success. Writing down the reasons you want to quit on a card and keeping it with you to review can help you resist a temptation to smoke. Check off the reasons below that apply to you.

• I want control back — I’m almost always thinking about or smoking a cigarette. I feel like the cigarette is controlling me.
• I want to improve my chances of living a longer, healthier life.
• I want to spend my cigarette money on other things — maybe a vacation.
• I want more time for myself. Instead of taking those smoke breaks outside, I could be doing so many other things.
• I want to look and smell better by getting rid of that lingering odor of smoke.
• I want to set a healthier example for my children and grandchildren.

  Write other reasons you have for quitting in the space below:

  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  After completing this list, refer to it every day to reinforce your commitment to becoming a nonsmoker.

  Health Benefits of Quitting

  Most of us recognize the risks of smoking, such as cancer, heart disease and emphysema, but may not be aware of the many immediate and long-term benefits of quitting. Immediate benefits in the first days and months may include:

• Breathing may get easier

• Food tastes better

• Sense of smell improves

• Walking and exercise may become easier

  Remember, it’s never too late to quit. Whether you’re 34 or 84, your body can cleanse and start to repair the damage done by years of smoking.

Now that you are motivated and committed, the next step is to choose a quit date within the next 2 to 3 weeks. Decide whether it will be easier to quit on a workday when your smoking may already be restricted, or on the weekend when you are more relaxed. You may want to consider quitting at the beginning of the week, on a Sunday or Monday. It’s best to choose a date when:

• Your stress level is low
• You’ll be confronted with a minimum of smoking triggers
• You will not be in a social situation with other smokers, especially those that include alcohol

Enter your quit date on Day 1 of your Daily Success Calendar, located in the back of this guide.

Dependence on cigarettes is a twofold problem: the physical side of addiction to nicotine and the psychological side. Preparing to deal with both in advance will help make quitting easier and more comfortable.

As you know, smoking cigarettes is addictive. Nicotine, the addictive agent, reaches your brain in just seconds after each puff. Your brain and body get used to functioning with a certain level of nicotine. Within a few hours of your last cigarette, your nicotine level drops dramatically, resulting in withdrawal symptoms for most smokers.

Common 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. Some smokers, however, may experience withdrawal symptoms for several months.

Staying on this patch for the full eight weeks can reduce the withdrawal symptoms you experience. It is important to complete treatment. If you feel you need to use the patch for a longer period to keep from smoking, talk to your health care provider.

The physical need for nicotine isn’t the only reason you may find it difficult to quit smoking. You can also be psychologically dependent.

Over time you’ve created strong associations or "triggers" to light up a cigarette. Sometimes you smoke for comfort: "Smoking helps me relax," or "I don’t feel as angry when I smoke." Sometimes it seems to make a social situation more enjoyable: "I like to smoke when I’m out having coffee with a friend or when drinking at a party." At other times, you smoke out of habit: "I light up as soon as I get in the car," "I smoke when I’m taking a break at work" or "Because I am so used to smoking, I feel uncomfortable without a cigarette in my hand."

Listed to the right are some of the common situations or activities that "trigger" smoking in many people and some suggestions on how to change your habits in order to reduce your urge to smoke.

Here are some other common "triggers." Check off the ones that apply to you and write down how you will cope in the spaces below. Also, record other personal "triggers" and the things you plan to do instead.

Urges to smoke only last for a few seconds to a few minutes. Believe it or not, the urge to smoke will pass whether you smoke or not. When an urge strikes, try the following:

1. The "Three-Second Breathing" Exercise. Nothing relaxes you more quickly than taking a deep breath. Inhale deeply through pursed lips. Hold your breath for 3 seconds. Then slowly exhale through your mouth.

2. Switch your focus. Deliberately switch your attention from having a cigarette onto something else, like reading or stretching.

3. Use mental imagery to transform the urge into something manageable. For example, imagine the urge to smoke is like feeling thirsty. Then imagine reaching for a glass of cool ice water. Feel the coolness in your throat. Your entire body feels relief. You are calm and the urge has disappeared.

Quitting isn’t easy. Sometimes you can feel all alone. This is where friends and family, both smokers and nonsmokers, can help. Take your friends and family through your quit plan. Once they understand why you are changing some of your old habits, they’ll be in a better position to understand and support you.

Tell your smoking friends of your desire to quit (truth is, many of them may have that same desire). You might be pleasantly surprised how supportive they can be. If your smoking friends express an interest in quitting, give them the number or website information to the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org or the American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 or http://www.lung.org and they'll help them get started. You might even choose to quit at the same time so that you can work as a team supporting one another.

It’s hard for people who have never smoked to understand what you’re going through, both emotionally and physically. Be patient with them. Explain that you might be a little (or very) irritable for a while.

1. Tape a list of your reasons for quitting on the mirror. Go over them daily.

2. Tell one or two friends and your family. Ask for the specific help that you think you will need from each of them.

3. Use this Behavior Support Program.

4. Know your "triggers" and practice your coping strategies.

5. Change your routines (for example, sit in a different chair, not your smoking chair).

6. Plan how you will spend all the money you save from not smoking.

7. Freshen your environment. On the day before your quit date, clean your clothes, car and any rooms where you spend a lot of time.

8. Throw away any remaining cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters the night before your quit day.

9. Have plenty of low-calorie snacks available.

10. Use the patch as directed.

Many people get this far and forget to reward themselves. We know that we are more likely to keep going if we get rewarded. So, in the space below, write ways that you can reward yourself at least once a day.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Imagine that you go out with friends and end up having a cigarette. In other words, you "slipped." This is not a relapse back to smoking. Don’t let this mistake make you feel like a failure or like giving up. Get back on track immediately. Don’t smoke another cigarette. Figure out why you had the slip and how, in the future, you will deal with the people, places or feelings that led to smoking. Do whatever works for you. The point is that slips, like mistakes, can be great learning experiences. If you slip and need help, contact the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org or the American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 or http://www.lung.org. Support is available 7 days a week from 7 am to 11 pm CST. We’ll be happy to help you find ways to cope — without a cigarette.

If you do return to your regular smoking habit, take some time to examine what went wrong. Did you quit without being prepared? Did you have and use the support of friends and family? If you are ready to try again, the American Cancer Society or the American Lung Association can help you evaluate and revise your personal quit plan. Contact the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org or the American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 or http://www.lung.org. Support is available 7 days a week from 7 am to 11 pm CST.

The patch helps smokers quit smoking by reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Many patch users will be able to stop smoking for at least a few days, but many will start smoking again. Most smokers usually have to try to quit several times before they completely stop.

Your own chances to stop smoking depend on how strongly you are addicted to nicotine, how much you want to quit, and how closely you follow a quitting program like the one that comes with this product. If you find you cannot stop or if you start smoking again after using this product, please talk to a health care professional who can help you find a program that may work better for you.

And, if for some reason you are not ready to try again right now, keep these materials until you are ready. Before you set your quit date, call us to help you prepare for a successful quit.

This product is only for those who want to stop smoking. The patch helps smokers quit by reducing nicotine withdrawal symptoms. Almost half of those who use this product will be able to stop smoking for at least a few days, but many will start smoking again. Most smokers will require several attempts before they stop smoking completely. Your own chances of quitting depend on how strongly you are addicted to nicotine, how motivated you are to quit, and how closely you follow a quit program, such as this one. If you find that you cannot stop smoking, or if you start smoking again after using the patch, talk with your doctor, who can help you find a program that may work better for you.

Ask your doctor before use if you:

• Have heart disease or an irregular heartbeat, or if you had a recent heart attack. Nicotine can increase your heart rate.
• Have high blood pressure not controlled with medication. Nicotine can increase blood pressure.
• Are allergic to any adhesives or patch ingredients or have skin problems, because you are more likely to get rashes.
• Are using a non-nicotine stop smoking drug.
• Take prescription medicine for depression or asthma. Your prescription dose may need to be adjusted.

Keep out of reach of children and pets. Used patches have enough nicotine to poison children and pets. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

The patch is a nicotine transdermal system skin patch containing nicotine, the addictive agent in tobacco products. When you wear a patch, it gradually releases nicotine into your bloodstream through the skin. By replacing some of the nicotine to which your body has become accustomed from smoking, the patch helps reduce the nicotine withdrawal symptoms many people normally feel when they stop smoking. By offering three patches with different nicotine dose levels, this patch uses a step-down dosing system that allows you to gradually reduce your nicotine level by changing the patch you wear (moving to a lower dose) over an eight-week period. Nicotine replacement therapy can reduce nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, restlessness, headaches, difficulty sleeping and concentrating, increased appetite, and craving for nicotine. By helping to reduce your physical nicotine withdrawal symptoms, the patch helps you to 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. It is important to complete treatment. If you feel you need to use the patch for longer period to keep from smoking, talk to your health care provider.

By placing a nicotine patch on your skin, you are NOT inhaling the harmful tars, toxins and chemicals found in cigarettes. These are the most dangerous parts of the cigarette. And, because you’re not smoking while wearing the patch, there’s no second-hand smoke or odors to affect your family and friends.

It is important that you are firmly committed to giving up smoking.

Warnings:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, only use this medicine on the advice of your health care provider. Smoking can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using any nicotine replacement medicine. This medicine is believed to be safer than smoking. However, the risks to your child from this medicine are not fully known.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease, have had a recent heart attack, or have an irregular heartbeat. Nicotine can increase your heart rate.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have high blood pressure not controlled with medication. Nicotine can increase your blood pressure.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have an allergy to adhesive tape or have skin problems because you are more likely to get rashes with patch use.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have stomach ulcer or diabetes.
• Ask a doctor before use if you have a history of seizures.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are using a non-nicotine stop smoking drug.
• Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are taking a prescription medicine for depression or asthma. Your prescription dose may need to be adjusted.
• When using this product, do not smoke even when not wearing the patch. The nicotine in your skin will still be entering your bloodstream for several hours after you take off the patch.
• When using this product, if you have vivid dreams or other sleep disturbances, you may remove the patch at bedtime and apply a new one in the morning.
• Stop use and ask a doctor if skin redness caused by the patch does not go away after 4 days, or if your skin swells, or you get a rash.
• Stop use and ask a doctor if irregular heartbeat or palpitations occur.
• Stop use and ask a doctor if you get symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and rapid heartbeat.
• Stop use and ask a doctor if you have symptoms of an allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing or rash)
• Keep unused and used patches out of the reach of children and pets. Used patches have enough nicotine to poison children and pets. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Save pouch to use for patch disposal. Dispose of the used patches by folding sticky ends together and putting in pouch. Do not wear more than one patch at a time.
• Do not cut the patch in half or into smaller pieces.
• Do not leave the patch on for more than 24 hours because it may irritate your skin and it loses strength after 24 hours.
• To avoid possible burns, remove patch before undergoing any MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) procedures.
• It is important to complete treatment. If you feel you need to use the patch for a longer period to keep from smoking, talk to your health care provider. The patch has been tested in 3 months studies and long term studies have not been conducted.

See chart on following page.

First, it is important that you are well 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: Begin with Step 1. Use the 21 mg patch for 4 weeks, then 14 mg patch for 2 weeks, and 7 mg patch for 2 weeks
Weeks 1 - 4	Weeks 5 and 6	Weeks 7 and 8
STEP 1 21 mg/day	STEP 2 14 mg/day	STEP 3 7 mg/day

If you smoke 10 or less cigarettes per day: Do not begin with Step 1.Begin with step 2, 14 mg patch for 6 weeks, and 7 mg patch for 2 weeks.
Weeks 1 - 6	Weeks 7 and 8
Step 2 14 mg/day	Step 3 7 mg/day

If you smoke 10 or less cigarettes per day:

• Do not use Step 1 Patch (21 mg/ day). Begin with Step 2 Patch (14mg/day) for 6 weeks, use Step 3 Patch (7mg/day) for 2 weeks.
• Steps 2 and 3 allow you to gradually reduce your level of nicotine. Completing the full program will increase your chance of quitting successfully.
• It is important to complete treatment. If you feel you need use the patch for longer period to keep from smoking, talk to your health care provider.

Lowering your patch dosage over 8 weeks will help you overcome physical cravings for nicotine.

1. Choose a clean, dry, non-hairy area of skin on your upper body or the outer part of your arm. Do not put a patch on skin that is very oily, burned, broken out, cut or irritated in any way. Immediately before applying the patch, wash your hands and the skin area with plain soap and water and dry completely. Avoid using any soap, lotion, hand cream, tanning lotion or oil, bath oil or insect repellent that contains aloe, lanolin or glycerin as a moisturizer. These products can leave a moisturizing film on your skin, which can interfere with the adherence of the patch.

2. Do not remove the patch from its sealed, protective pouch until you are ready to use it. Carefully cut open the child-resistant pouch along the dotted line, as indicated. If the new patch is cut, throw it away. Save pouch to use for patch disposal. Dispose of the used patches by folding sticky ends together and putting in pouch.

3. A white translucent liner covers the sticky side of the patch where it contacts the skin. The liner has a precut slit to help you remove it from the patch. With the white translucent side facing you, pull the liner away from the patch, starting at the precut slit. Hold the patch at the edge (touch the sticky side as little as possible) and pull off the other piece of the protective liner. Throw this liner away.

4. Immediately apply the sticky side of the patch to your skin. Press the patch firmly against your skin with the palm of your hand for about 10 seconds. Make sure it sticks well to your skin, especially around the edges.

5. When you have finished applying or removing the patch, wash your hands with water only. Nicotine on your hands could get into your eyes and nose and could cause stinging, redness or irritation.

6. After 24 hours, remove the patch you have been wearing.

If you remove and apply the patch at about the same time each day, it will help you to remember when to put on a new patch. Choose a different place on your skin to apply the next patch and repeat steps 1 through 5. Do not reapply a patch to a previously used skin site for at least 1 week. Do not leave the patch on for more than 24 hours, because it may irritate your skin and loses strength after 24 hours. Do not wear more than one patch at the same time, and do not cut a patch in half or into smaller pieces to wear.

You should wear the patch 24 hours a day. This may help overcome your morning cravings for nicotine. However, if you have vivid dreams or other sleep disturbances, you may remove the patch at bedtime and apply a new patch the following morning. The patch should be applied at approximately the same time each day.

If your patch falls off, put on a new one. Then remove this new patch at your regular time to keep your schedule the same. When applying the patch, be sure to press it firmly onto your skin with the palm of your hand for about 10 seconds, making sure that the patch sticks well, especially around the edges.

Water will not harm or affect the patch you are wearing. You can take a bath or a shower, or you can swim while you are wearing the patch.

Save pouch to use for patch disposal. Dispose of the used patches by folding sticky ends together and putting in pouch. Keep all used patches out of reach of children and pets.

Keep the patch in its protective pouch until you are ready to use it. Store your patches between 20 to 25°C (68 to 77°F), because the patch is sensitive to heat. The inside of your car, for example, can reach much higher temperatures in the summer. Keep all unused patches out of the reach of children and pets.

When you first put on a patch, mild itching, burning, or tingling at the patch application site is normal and should go away within an hour. After you remove a patch, the skin under the patch might be somewhat red. Your skin should not stay red for more than a day. If you have a skin rash or redness caused by the patch that does not go away after 4 days, or your skin swells, call your doctor. Do not put on a new patch; you may be allergic to one of the components of the patch.

While wearing a nicotine replacement patch, you may experience one or more of the following side effects: nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, nervousness or restlessness, headache, vivid dreams or other sleep disturbances, and irritability.

If you experience any of the following side effects, immediately remove the patch and call your doctor:

• Severe skin irritation or discoloration
• Irregular heartbeats or palpitations
• Severe chest pain or tightening
• Symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as pallor (extreme paleness), cold sweat, nausea, abnormal salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain or severe headache, disturbed hearing or vision, dizziness, mental confusion or weakness.

It’s perfectly normal to gain some weight when you stop smoking. But don’t panic. Sometimes the weight change is simply a result of a change in your body’s metabolism. This is caused by your body’s withdrawal from nicotine. Your metabolism is simply returning to that of a nonsmoker. Besides, the average weight gain is only about five to ten pounds, and as you will see, there are things you can do to help control it.

Another source of extra pounds is the need for oral gratification. If you use food as a temporary substitute for cigarettes, you may gain weight. If you feel some concern about your weight, remember: a small weight gain is better than the high health risks associated with smoking.

The following tips will help you minimize the weight gain while you quit smoking.

Some general tips:

• Replace fattening snack foods with healthy, low-calorie snacks
• Keep low-fat, low-calorie snacks in the car
• Broil, boil, poach, or steam food instead of frying
• Remove fat from meat and skin from poultry
• Eat slowly and you’ll feel full sooner on less food
• Try eating several small meals a day instead of three big ones
• Drink a large glass of water before a meal

One of the best ways to control your weight is to move more. So if you already exercise regularly, keep it up. If not, start with small increases in your daily activity.

We’re NOT talking about running a marathon. We’re talking about walking to the store instead of hopping in the car. Or, walking up three flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator. Maybe you should rediscover your bicycle, take up golf or go for a swim.

A little exercise will do more than you think:

• It reduces possible weight gain while quitting smoking
• It can improve your sleeping
• It can make you feel better in general

Congratulations again on your decision to quit smoking. By incorporating the behavior-changing tools discussed in this guide into your everyday life, you are on your way to successfully becoming and remaining smoke-free. Continue to reinforce your commitment to remain smoke-free by reading this guide again, or contacting the American Cancer Society: http://www.cancer.org or the American Lung Association: 1-800-586-4872 or http://www.lung.org for support (7 days a week, 7 am to 11 pm CST). While you are taking control with the Behavior Support Program, don’t forget to celebrate your successes along the way.

If you have trouble using the patch, ask your doctor or pharmacist or contact our toll free number at 1-844-562-7963 (Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm EST).

Behavior Support Program