How to Use Nicotine Patches & Chantix

Deciding to quit smoking can be one of the most important decisions of your life. Smoking kills thousands of people each year, and so deciding to quit can save your life and your health. Quitting can be extremely stressful, however; most people who quit smoking experience intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms as their bodies adjust to the lack of nicotine. Thankfully, health companies have begun to produce products such as nicotine patches and pills like Chantix to aid smokers in leaving their bad habits behind. Using these products properly can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

Things You'll Need

• Nicotine patch or Chantix pills

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Instructions

Nicotine patches

• 1

  Open the patch package and pull off the protective covering. Try not to touch the sticky side of the patch with your fingers.

• 2

  Stick the patch to a clean, dry, hairless area of your upper body, such as the inside of your arm, your shoulder or your stomach. Apply pressure with your palm for 10 seconds, then release.

• 3

  Wash your hands to remove any sticky residue or medicine from your hands. Never rub your eyes, nose or mouth before you wash your hands, as the medicine can burn or itch if applied to sensitive areas.

• 4

  Follow product instructions for how long to keep the patch in place. When it is time, remove the old patch and fold it in half so that the sticky side sticks to itself. Put it into the package for the new patch for proper disposal.

• 5

  Apply the new patch to a different area of your body for best effectiveness. Begin using previously-used areas again after a week has passed.

Chantix

• 6

  Acquire a 12-week supply.

• 7

  Take Chantix just after eating with a full 8 oz. of water.

• 8

  Take one white Chantix pill per day for the first three days of treatment.

• 9

  Take two white pills (one in the morning and one in the evening) for the remainder of the first week of treatment.

• 10

  Take two blue pills (one in the morning and one in the evening) each day for the remaining weeks of treatment.