Active ingredient
- nicotine
Legal Category
GSL: General Sales List
GSL: General Sales List
The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.
Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original leaflet can be viewed using the link above.
The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 02855/0237 .
NiQuitin Clear Patch
PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET
NiQuitin Clear Patches
Nicotine
Please read right through this leaflet before you start using this medicine.
This medicine is available without prescription, but you still need to use NiQuitin Clear Patches carefully to get the best results from them.
In this leaflet:
1. What NiQuitin Clear Patches do
2. Check before you use NiQuitin Clear Patches
3. How to use NiQuitin Clear Patches
4. Possible side-effects
5. How to store NiQuitin Clear Patches
6. Further information
1.What NiQuitin Clear Patches do
NiQuitin Clear Patches are used to help people stop smoking. They work by replacing some of the nicotine you get from cigarettes. This type of treatment is called Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).
The nicotine in cigarettes makes them addictive, but other substances in cigarette smoke, such as tar, carbon dioxide and other toxins, are more harmful to your health. NRT products like NiQuitin Clear Patches do not have the health dangers of tobacco.
The nicotine from NRT reduces your cravings for cigarettes and helps you resist the urge to smoke. It also relieves some of the unpleasant symptoms (like feeling ill or irritable) that smokers have when they try to give up. The patches provide a steady amount of nicotine to your body, generally at a lower level than from cigarettes.
NiQuitin Clear Patches can be used to help you:
In addition, NiQuitin Clear Patches may be used when you:
Reducing the number of cigarettes smoked can increase the chances that you will go on to quit completely.
NiQuitin Clear Patches can be used during pregnancy and breast-feeding (see Pregnancy and breast-feeding below).
Some people worry that, when they have stopped smoking, they may become dependent on NRT instead. This is very rare, and if it were to happen it is still safer than continuing to smoke. It is also an easier habit to break.
It is always better to stop smoking completely. Smoking is harmful and has no health benefits. NRT products like NiQuitin Clear Patches can help you stop. Any risks or possible side-effects of nicotine from NRT are much less than the proven dangers of continuing to smoke.
Your chance of stopping smoking will be improved if you also take part in a support programme. These 'Stop Smoking' programmes are known as behavioural support. For more information:
2. Check before you use NiQuitin Clear Patches
Do not use NiQuitin Clear Patches:
Take special care with NiQuitin Clear Patches
Get help and advice from a healthcare professional:
If you are taking other medicines
Stopping smoking may alter the effect of other medicines you may be taking. If you have any questions or concerns about this, talk to a healthcare professional.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Smoking when you are pregnant is harmful to the baby. The risks include poor growth before birth, damage to the baby's lungs, premature birth and stillbirth. Stopping smoking is the best way to improve your health and the health of your baby, and the earlier you stop smoking the better.
It is best to give up smoking without using NRT. If that's too difficult, using NRT is safer for you and your baby than continuing to smoke. The nicotine in NRT is less dangerous than the more harmful substances in cigarette smoke, such as tar and other toxins.
If you have tried to stop smoking without using NRT, and haven't been able to, your healthcare advisor may recommend NRT to help you stop. If you do use NRT during pregnancy:
If you are breast-feeding
Tobacco smoke is harmful to babies and children, causing breathing difficulties and other problems.
If you are breast-feeding, it is best if you stop smoking without using NRT. But if you do need to use NRT, the nicotine that gets into breast milk is less dangerous to your baby than breathing in second-hand smoke. If you do use NRT while breast-feeding:
Driving and using machines
There are no known effects of NiQuitin Clear Patches on your ability to drive or use machines. However, users of nicotine replacement products should be aware that giving up smoking can cause behavioural changes that could affect you.
3. How to use NiQuitin Clear Patches
Adults and young people aged 12 years and over
Instructions for use of NiQuitin Clear Patches depend on whether you are:
or if you have cravings after you have stopped smoking.
If you are under 18 years old and not ready to stop smoking straightaway, talk to a healthcare professional for advice.
In all cases:
NiQuitin Clear Patches are not suitable for children under 12 years of age or for non-smokers. They may develop signs of nicotine overdose, including headache, sickness, stomach pain and diarrhoea.
Stopping smoking straightaway
Adults and young people aged 12 years and over:
It is important to make every effort to stop smoking completely. But if you do sometimes smoke a cigarette while using NRT, don't be discouraged — just keep going with your quit attempt. It may help to talk to a healthcare professional if you are finding your quit attempt difficult.
If you smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day, start with Step 1 and the following step down programme.
Step 1, NiQuitin Clear 21 mg for 6 weeks
Step 2, NiQuitin Clear 14 mg for 2 weeks
Step 3, NiQuitin Clear 7 mg for 2 weeks
If you smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, then start with Step 2 and use the following step down programme.
Step 2, NiQuitin Clear 14 mg for 6 weeks
Step 3, NiQuitin Clear 7 mg for 2 weeks
As your body adjusts to not smoking, you are able to reduce the strength of patches used until you no longer need to use them. This step-down programme allows you to gradually overcome your body's need for nicotine.
To increase your chances of success, complete the step down programme in full and follow a stop smoking behavioural support programme - see the end of Section 1 for more details.
Cutting down on smoking before you stop
Adults aged 18 years and over:
You may find it easier to quit completely later if you use NiQuitin Clear Patches to help you cut down on smoking first.
If you smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day you can use NiQuitin Clear patches to help you prepare to stop smoking. You can continue to smoke for the first two to four weeks of using the patches, then stop smoking completely. You should use the following step down programme:
Pre-Step, NiQuitin Clear 21 mg + smoking for 2 - 4 weeks
STOP SMOKING COMPLETELY
Step 1, NiQuitin Clear 21 mg for 6 weeks
Step 2, NiQuitin Clear 14 mg for 2 weeks
Step 3, NiQuitin Clear 7 mg for 2 weeks
If you have not felt able to make a quit attempt 6 weeks after starting to use NRT, you may find it helpful to talk to a healthcare professional.
Cutting down with no immediate plans to stop
Adults aged 18 years and over:
It is always best to stop smoking completely, but using NRT to cut down is less harmful than continuing to smoke heavily. Cutting down the number of cigarettes you smoke each day will make it easier to quit completely in future.
If you feel an urge to smoke, apply a patch as directed in this leaflet to help you manage your cravings. Cut down the number of cigarettes you smoke per day by as many as possible.
It is best to stop smoking completely as soon as you feel able to. Follow the instructions above, under 'Stopping smoking straightaway'.
Going without cigarettes for a short time
Adults aged 18 years and over:
NiQuitin Clear Patches can help you manage your cravings so that you can resist cigarettes in situations where smoking is inappropriate, for example:
If you feel an urge to smoke, apply a patch as directed in this leaflet.
Continue to use patches during the period when you are avoiding smoking. Remove the patch when you start smoking again.
It is best to stop smoking completely as soon as you feel able to. Follow the instructions above, under 'Stopping smoking straightaway'.
Once you have stopped smoking...
After you have stopped smoking, you may still sometimes feel a craving for a cigarette. You can use NiQuitin Clear Patches again to help you relieve these cravings - using NRT is always better than smoking again.
If you are worried that you may start smoking again, talk to a healthcare professional. They can advise you on how to get the best results from further courses of NRT.
If you are finding it difficult to stop using NRT completely, talk to a healthcare professional.
How to apply the patches
It is important to choose a clean, dry and hairless area of skin on which to position the patch, to make sure that it sticks properly.
Avoid areas where the skin creases (such as over a joint), or where the skin folds when you move. Do not apply to skin which is red, broken or irritated.
How to change your patches
NiQuitin Clear Patches generally stick well to most people's skin. However, a patch may occasionally come off. If your patch falls off during the day, put on a new patch, making sure you choose a different non-hairy skin site that is clean and dry. Then go on as before.
NiQuitin Clear is intended for 24 hour use but if you prefer, the patch can be removed before you go to bed (after 16 hours) and a new one put on when you wake up.
However, removing the patch after 16 hours will reduce its effectiveness in relieving the urge to smoke felt by some smokers on waking.
If you forget to change your patch at the usual time, change it as soon as you remember then go on as before.
If you use more NiQuitin Clear Patches than you should
If a child has stuck a patch on themselves or eaten one, contact your doctor or hospital emergency department immediately. If possible, show them the NiQuitin Clear Patches packet or this leaflet. Symptoms of nicotine overdose in children include headache, sickness, stomach pain and diarrhoea.
If you apply too many patches, you may start to feel sick, dizzy and unwell. Remove all patches and contact your doctor or hospital emergency department immediately.
4. Possible side-effects
Like all medicines, the nicotine in NRT products can have side-effects. They are similar to those you might get from the nicotine in cigarettes, and are more likely the more nicotine you take, but not everybody gets them. At the recommended doses NiQuitin Clear Patches have not been found to cause any serious side-effects.
Stopping smoking itself can cause some symptoms such as feeling weak, tired, depressed, irritable, nervous, restless, anxious, drowsy, dizzy, unable to concentrate, headache, sleep disturbance/ night-time awakening, cough, flu-like symptoms and changes in mood.
Other side-effects may include:
Stop using the patch and tell a healthcare professional if you get these.
Remove the patch and reduce the dose if you get this.
Tell a healthcare professional if you get any of these.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not mentioned in this leaflet You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
If you smoke too much while using the patches
If you are following the programme for preparing to stop smoking, or cutting down with no immediate plans to stop, and you smoke too many cigarettes while you are wearing a patch, you may feel sick, dizzy and unwell. Stop smoking and remove the patch. Wash and dry the skin with water only (no soap) and contact your doctor, a pharmacist or nurse.
5. How to store NiQuitin Clear Patches
6. Further information
What NiQuitin Clear Patches contain
The active substance is nicotine. The 21 mg patches contain 114 mg of nicotine and deliver 21 mg over 24 hours. The 14 mg patches contain 78 mg of nicotine and deliver 14 mg over 24 hours. The 7 mg patches contain 36 mg of nicotine and deliver 7 mg over 24 hours.
The other ingredients are ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene film, polyisobutylene and printing ink.
What NiQuitin Clear Patches look like and the contents of the pack
Each step (strength) comes in its own pack and each pack contains 7 patches (1 week kit) in individual sachets. A 14 patch pack (2 weeks kit) is available for Step 1 (21 mg) and for step 2 (14 mg).
Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer
The Marketing Authorisation holder is
and all enquiries should be sent to this address.
The manufacturer of NiQuitin Clear Patches is
NiQuitin is a registered trade mark of ELAN PHARMA INTERNATIONAL LTD.
This leaflet was last revised in May 2020.
Omega Pharma Ltd, 1st Floor, 32 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V 2SA, UK
+44 (0)203 598 9603
+44 (0)203 598 9603