Nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs), like the nicotine patch, can be a useful way to decrease nicotine dependence. According to the FDA, NRTs can relieve nicotine cravings, decrease withdrawal symptoms, and alleviate some of the stress of quitting. Nicotine patches don’t contain the toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke, making them a safer option if you’re looking for a way to quit smoking.
We sought expert advice and researched the most effective nicotine patches available to find the best options for anyone looking to quit smoking. We evaluated patches based on comfort, effectiveness, and value. A general practitioner from our Medical Review Board reviewed the claims in this article about what to look for in a nicotine patch and how to select the best one.
Which Nicotine Dosage Should You Get?
Nicotine patches traditionally come in three doses, and each of these doses corresponds to a different rate of nicotine consumption:
- Step 1 nicotine patches deliver 21 milligrams of nicotine
- Step 2 nicotine patches deliver 14 milligrams of nicotine
- Step 3 patches deliver 7 milligrams of nicotine.
These doses are typically released slowly over a 24-hour period. The dose you should opt for will vary based on your smoking history and where you are in your quitting program. The number of patches in a pack also varies, so we recommend consulting your quitting program and schedule before you buy.
What Healthcare Providers Want You to Know
- Efficacy: Nicotine patches work by slowly delivering nicotine through your skin and into the body’s circulatory system, Nicolas Schlienz, PhD, Research Director at Realm of Caring, says. This small dose of nicotine can relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms like irritability, restlessness, trouble concentrating, anxiety, and more. These symptoms can cause a great amount of discomfort, which is why it’s so difficult to quit smoking, Schlienz adds. Using nicotine patches can reduce these symptoms and help you quit for good.
- Safety: Nicotine patches are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but there are still a few misconceptions associated with their use, says Schlienz. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that disease and death associated with smoking are not caused by nicotine but rather are a result of exposure to toxins in cigarette smoke. They’re much safer than smoking cigarettes, says Boris MacKey, Recovery Advocate at Rehab 4 Addiction. Nevertheless, you should still consult your doctor before using patches, Mackey adds, since there are potential side effects as with any treatment.
- Expiration dates: Nicotine patches do expire, and you probably want to avoid using a nicotine patch that has expired. This is because expired nicotine patches may become less potent over time, says Schlienz, which would be less helpful for the quitting process.
- Active smoking: You should not smoke while wearing a nicotine patch. Because nicotine patches release nicotine into your system—and cigarettes do, too—doubling up can increase your tolerance to nicotine. It can also put you at risk of experiencing nicotine poisoning or nicotine overdose.
- Proper placement: The CDC recommends placing it on your upper body—somewhere like your chest, shoulder, back, or upper arm, and choosing a different spot daily to cut down on irritation. To make sure the nicotine patch sticks, look for a hair-free area that’s clean and dry. Avoid parts of your skin that are irritated, damaged, or scarred.
- Pregnancy risks: You should not use nicotine patches while pregnant because they may harm fetal development. Because of this, experts recommend talking to your doctor before using nicotine patches if you’re breastfeeding, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant.
- Watch your blood pressure: High blood pressure is an uncommon but potential side effect of using nicotine patches. If you have a personal or family history of high blood pressure—or if you’re currently taking medication for high blood pressure—experts recommend that you talk to your doctor before using nicotine patches.
When to See a Healthcare Professional
Schlienz says you should discuss nicotine patches with your healthcare provider to determine whether or not they are a good option for you. Your doctor can also help you understand what dose of nicotine to start with, where and how to wear a nicotine patch, when to remove a nicotine patch, and more.
Also, like any form of medication, nicotine patches are associated with some negative side effects. That being said, the CDC says that nicotine patches are much safer than continuing to smoke. It’d be wise to speak to your healthcare provider before using them for the first time—they can help monitor and mitigate potential side effects and ensure you’re starting with the appropriate nicotine dose and using your nicotine patches correctly.
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Extended-release
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Discreet, transparent design
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Not prone to as many side effects as other options
Key Specs:
Dosage: 21 milligrams/patch | Quantity: 14 nicotine patches | Appearance: Clear/transparent
Why We Recommend It
If you’re looking for a Step 1 patch, the NicoDerm CQ Nicotine Patch is an excellent choice. Like other Step 1 patches, this one is made to deliver 21 milligrams of nicotine in a day. And since the patch is designed with extended-release technology, the nicotine will be deployed little by little rather than hitting your system all at once. Whereas many nicotine patches are beige and opaque, the NicoDerm CQ Nicotine Patch is clear. This transparency makes it easy to wear discreetly during any time of year.
Each pack contains 14 nicotine patches, making it a two-week kit. Like many Step 1 patches, this one is designed for those who currently smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day. NicoDerm recommends wearing one patch daily for the first six weeks of a ten-week quitting program.
Keep in Mind
This patch is prone to slipping. We also recommend you take it off before you sleep or else you may experience vivid dreams. It’s also a bit pricier than other options.
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Key Specs:
Dosage: 21 milligrams/patch | Quantity: 14 nicotine patches | Appearance: Beige/opaque
Why We Recommend It
The Rite Aid Nicotine Transdermal Patch is another solid step 1 choice. Each patch contains 21 milligrams of nicotine, which will be delivered, bit by bit, over the course of 24 hours. Each pack of Rite Aid Step 1 Nicotine Transdermal Patches contains 14 nicotine patches, making it a two-week kit. Like many Step 1 patches, this one is designed for those who currently smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day. Rite Aid recommends using these patches for four weeks before switching to a lower-dose patch. Tailored to those who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day, the Step 1 kit contains 14 patches for a two-week period.
Keep in Mind
One potential downside of the Rite Aid Nicotine Transdermal Patch, though, is that it isn’t particularly discreet. Each patch is beige, opaque, and relatively large, making it potentially less convenient to wear than NicoDerm’s Step 1 patches.
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Key Specs:
Dosage: 14 milligrams/patch | Quantity: 14 nicotine patches | Appearance: Clear/transparent
Why We Recommend It
The NicoDerm CQ Nicotine Patch is a solid and discreet Step 2 option. Like other Step 2 patches, this one contains 14 milligrams of nicotine, which will be gradually delivered over a 24-hour period. Like other NicoDerm patches, it is clear, making it easy to wear discreetly.
Each pack contains 14 patches, making it a two-week kit. Like many Step 2 patches, it’s designed for those who currently smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes a day, and NicoDerm recommends using these patches for the first six weeks of an eight-week smoking cessation program. This patch is also suitable for those who are moving to a lower-dose nicotine patch after completing the Step 1 portion of a quitting program. NicoDerm recommends this group use the Step 2 patch for two weeks before moving to an even lower-dose option.
Keep in Mind
Be aware that there are some negative side effects associated with this patch. They’re also more expensive than others.
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Key Specs:
Dosage: 7 milligrams/patch | Quantity: 14 nicotine patches | Appearance: Clear/transparent
Why We Recommend It
If you’re ready to move onto a Step 3 nicotine patch, NicoDerm’s CQ Step 3 Nicotine Clear Patches are a solid choice. The patches are transparent, so they should be easy to wear discreetly. And each extended-release patch is designed to deliver 7 milligrams of nicotine per 16 to 24 hours in small, controlled doses.
Each pack of NicoDerm CQ Step 3 Nicotine Clear Patches contains 14 nicotine patches—or two weeks’ worth of nicotine patches. And like other Step 3 patches, these nicotine patches are recommended for those who have completed Step 2 of a quitting program.
Keep in Mind
There are some negative side effects associated with this patch, and it’s more expensive than other options.
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Key Specs:
Dosage: 7 milligrams/patch | Quantity: 14 nicotine patches | Appearance: White/opaque
Why We Recommend It
The Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patch is another good choice for a Step 3 patch. Each patch contains 7 milligrams of nicotine, which will be released in controlled doses over the course of a day.
Each pack contains 14 patches, making it a two-week kit. Like other Step 3 patches, this is designed for those who are moving to a lower-dose nicotine patch after completing the Step 2 portion of a quitting program. Habitrol recommends using its Step 3 patches for the final two weeks of your smoking cessation program.
Keep in Mind
Unlike some other similar patches, this one is not transparent. Instead, it is circular and opaque, making it a less discreet option.
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Key Specs:
Dosage: 7–21 milligrams/patch | Quantity: 56 nicotine patches | Appearance: White/opaque
Why We Recommend It
The Habitrol Nicotine Transdermal System Patches package is an all-in-one kit that makes following a quitting program particularly easy. Instead of asking you to piece together a quitting timeline and stock up on many different boxes, Habitrol gives you everything you need in one package.
Each pack comes with 56 nicotine patches: 28 Step 1 patches (enough to last you four weeks), 14 Step 2 patches (which will last you two weeks), and 14 Step 3 patches (enough for two weeks). Combined, these patches create an eight-week program that makes it easy to reduce your nicotine consumption gradually.
Keep in Mind
These patches are large and opaque, so they aren’t the best for anyone looking for discreet options.
How We Selected the Best Nicotine Patches
We considered dozens of popular nicotine patches, favoring widely and well-reviewed ones. We segmented our nicotine patch recommendations by dosage (grouping Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 patches separately). Within each group, we assessed patches based on the following criteria:
- Appearance: We assessed whether the patches were opaque, easy to see, or transparent and discreet.
- Comfort: We considered how the patches felt when worn and taken off.
- Effectiveness: We also assessed how well the nicotine patches worked and factored in potential side effects, as well.
What to Look for in a Nicotine Patch
- Appearance: Some nicotine patches are beige and opaque, while others are clear. If you want a more discreet option, a clearer patch will likely serve you better than an opaque one.
- Patch count: Nicotine patches come in packs, containing between seven and 21 nicotine patches. Before you shop, consider how many patches you’ll need—and at what doses. Different quitting programs call for different schedules, and considering your program before you buy will help you avoid stocking up on something you don’t need. (For instance, if your program calls for two weeks of Step 3 patches, you don’t need to buy a 21-pack of Step 3 patches.)
Our Experts
We began our research for this story by speaking to three addiction experts. The following experts explained how nicotine patches work, who they might be useful for, and how to use them safely:
- Nicolas Schlienz, PhD, Research Director at Realm of Caring
- Peter Martin, MD, MSc, Director of the Vanderbilt Addiction Center
- Boris MacKey, Recovery Advocate at Rehab 4 Addiction
Why Trust Verywell Health?
As a seasoned health and fitness writer, Lindsey Lanquist understands how vital quality product recommendations can be. She is careful to recommend reliable, comfortable, and genuinely well-reviewed products by those who’ve tried them.
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