What are the most common side effects caused by using the patch to quit smoking?

What are the most common side effects caused by using the patch to quit smoking?

Linda Hyder Ferry (Associate Professor, Preventive Medicine and Family Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine) gives expert video advice on: How is nicotine gum used?; What are the most common side effects associated with nicotine gum?; What is a 'nicotine patch'? and more...

The nicotine patch sends nicotine through the skin, into the blood vessels that are underneath the dermas; the skin. Some people can't tolerate that. It either causes pain at the site, it can cause blistering, redness or irritation; some people's skin is just too sensitive. If some people have eczema or psoriasis, their skin may react badly to the nicotine patch. Some people's side effects include not being able to sleep at night, but that can be fixed by either taking a lower dose – switching to a lower dose patch – or taking the patch off just when you go to bed and then putting it back on in the morning. Some people have similar affects no matter what form of nicotine they use, such as upset stomach, nausea or headaches. In general the nicotine patch, if your skin can tolerate it, is tolerated very well.