Nicotine patch: Any harm in long-term use?

I know the nicotine patch is only intended for short-term use, but it seems better than smoking. Is there any harm in long-term use of the patch as a replacement for cigarettes?

- Bart / Nevada

Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence Gibson, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

Most tobacco dependence treatment programs recommend that smokers use nicotine patch therapy for 6 to 20 weeks or for as long as it takes to establish solid abstinence from smoking. Long-term use of the nicotine patch isn't known to cause serious side effects. The most common short-term side effects from the nicotine patch include mild itching, tingling or burning on the skin at the patch site.

The nicotine patch delivers small doses of nicotine to your body, which allow you to manage your withdrawal symptoms and cravings, as well as to gradually taper the amount of nicotine you receive. The nicotine in the patch contains none of the toxic compounds — such as tar, carbon monoxide and carcinogens — found in tobacco smoke. Although the effects of nicotine may include increased heart rate and blood pressure, these effects do not occur with the patch because the amount of nicotine delivered to the bloodstream is much smaller than from cigarette smoking.

Part of any treatment plan for tobacco dependence should be the use of enough nicotine replacement for a long enough period to ensure permanent abstinence from nicotine. However, the goal of treating tobacco dependence is not only to quit all tobacco products but also to eventually stop using all nicotine replacement products, such as the patch. Consult your doctor for information on treatment programs in your area. Combining counseling with medications such as the nicotine patch can dramatically improve your chances of stopping smoking for good.