nicotine transdermal system (redirected from Habitrol)

nicotine transdermal system

Clear Nicoderm CQ, Habitrol, Nicoderm CQ, Nicotrol, NiQuitin (UK)

Pharmacologic class: Cholinergic

Therapeutic class: Smoking deterrent

Pregnancy risk category C (gum), D (inhalation, nasal, transdermal)

Action

Supplies nicotine during controlled withdrawal from cigarette smoking. Binds selectively to nicotinic-cholinergic receptors in central and peripheral nervous systems, autonomic ganglia, adrenal medulla, and neuromuscular junction. At low doses, has a stimulating effect; at high doses, a reward effect.

Availability

Chewing gum: 2 mg, 4 mg

Inhalation: 42 cartridges/system, each containing 10 mg nicotine (delivers 4 mg)

Nasal spray: 10 mg/ml (0.5 mg/spray) in 10-ml bottles (100 doses)

Transdermal patch: 7 mg/day, 11 mg/day, 14 mg/day, 15 mg/day, 21 mg/day, 22 mg/day

⊘Indications and dosages

➣ Adjunctive therapy (with behavior modification) for nicotine withdrawal

Transdermal system -

Adults: 21 mg/day transdermally (Habitrol) for 4 to 8 weeks, then 14 mg/day for 2 to 4 weeks, then 7 mg/day for 2 to 4 weeks, for a total of 8 to 16 weeks; patient must wear system 24 hours/day. Or 21 mg/day transdermally (Nicoderm CQ) for 6 weeks, then 14 mg/day for 2 weeks, then 7 mg/day for 2 weeks, for a total of 10 weeks; patient must wear system 24 hours/day. Or 15 mg/day transdermally (one Nicotrol patch) for 6 weeks; patient must wear system 16 hours/day, removing it at bedtime.

Adults, adolescents, and children weighing less than 45 kg (100 lb) who smoke fewer than 10 cigarettes daily or have underlying cardiovascular disease: 14 mg/day transdermally (Habitrol) for 4 to 8 weeks, then 7 mg/day for 2 to 4 weeks, for a total of 6 to 8 weeks; patient must wear system 24 hours/day. Or 14 mg/day transdermally (Nicoderm CQ) for 6 weeks, then 7 mg/day for 2 weeks, for a total of 8 weeks; patient must wear system 24 hours/day.

Nasal spray -

Adults: One spray intranasally in each nostril once or twice per hour, up to five times per hour or 40 times per day, for no longer than 6 months

Inhalation -

Adults: For optimal response, at least six cartridges inhaled daily for first 3 to 6 weeks, to a maximum of 16 cartridges daily for up to 12 weeks. Patient self-titrates dosage to required nicotine level (usually 6 to 16 cartridges daily), followed by gradual withdrawal over 6 to 12 weeks.

Chewing gum -

Adults: Use as needed depending on smoking urge or chewing rate, or use on fixed schedule q 1 to 2 hours. Initial requirement may range from 18 to 48 mg/day, not to exceed 60 mg/day.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to drug or its components or to menthol (inhaler only)
• Allergy to adhesive (transdermal forms only)

Precautions

Use cautiously in:
• cardiovascular disease, hypertension, bronchospastic disease, diabetes mellitus, pheochromocytoma, peripheral vascular disease, hyperthyroidism, peptic ulcer disease, hepatic disease
• immediately after myocardial infarction, severe arrhythmia, or severe or worsening angina (use not recommended)
• skin disorders (transdermal form)
• dental disorders, esophagitis, pharyngitis, stomatitis (gum form)
• females of childbearing age
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients.
• children under age 18 (safety and efficacy not established).

Administration

• Apply patch when patient awakens and remove patch (as prescribed) at same time each day.
• Administer nasal spray regularly during first week, to help patient get used to irritant effects.
• With inhalation use, give at least six cartridges daily for first 3 to 6 weeks.
• Encourage patient to titrate dosage to level required, followed by gradual withdrawal.

Route	Onset	Peak	Duration
Gum	Rapid	15-30 min	Unknown
Inhalation	Rapid	15 min	Unknown
Nasal spray	Rapid	4-15 min	Unknown
Transdermal (Habitrol)	Rapid	6-12 hr	Unknown
Transdermal (Nicoderm CQ)	Rapid	2-4 hr	Unknown

Adverse reactions

CNS: headache, dizziness, drowsiness, poor concentration, nervousness, weakness, paresthesia, insomnia, abnormal dreams

CV: chest pain, hypertension, tachycardia, atrial fibrillation

EENT: sinusitis; pharyngitis (with gum); mouth and throat irritation (with inhaler); nasopharyngeal irritation, rhinitis, sneezing, watering eyes, eye irritation (with nasal spray)

GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, dry mouth, dyspepsia; increased salivation, sore mouth (with gum)

GU: dysmenorrhea

Musculoskeletal: joint pain, back pain, myalgia; jaw ache (with gum)

Respiratory: increased cough (with nasal spray or inhaler), bronchospasm

Skin: burning at patch site, erythema, pruritus, cutaneous hypersensitivity, rash, sweating (all with transdermal patch)

Other: abnormal taste, increased appetite (with gum), allergy, hiccups

Interactions

Drug-drug. Acetaminophen, adrenergic antagonists (such as prazosin, labetalol), clozapine, furosemide, imipramine, oxazepam, pentazocine, propranolol and other beta-adrenergic blockers, theophylline: increased effects of these drugs

Bupropion: treatment-emergent hypertension

Insulin: decreased insulin requirement

Isoproterenol, phenylephrine: increased requirements for these drugs

Propoxyphene: decreased nicotine metabolism

Drug-food. Caffeine-containing foods and beverages: increased nicotine effects

Drug-behaviors. Cigarette smoking: increased nicotine metabolism and effects

Patient monitoring

• Assess for signs and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal (irritability, drowsiness, fatigue, headache).
☞ Watch for bronchospasm and evidence of nicotine toxicity (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, increased salivation, headache, dizziness, visual disturbances).

Patient teaching

☞ Caution patient against any type of smoking during therapy. Urge him to immediately report chest tightness or difficulty breathing.
• If patient uses gum, advise him to chew one piece whenever nicotine craving occurs. Instruct him to chew it slowly until he feels a tingling sensation, then store it between cheek and gum until tingling disappears.
• Instruct patient to apply transdermal patch to clean, dry skin of upper arm or torso when he awakens; to keep it in place when showering, bathing, or swimming; and to remove it at same time each day.
• If patient uses nasal spray, instruct him to tilt head back slightly when spraying. Remind him not to sniff, swallow, or inhale through nose.
• If patient uses inhalation form, teach him to puff continuously for 20 minutes and to use at least six cartridges daily for first 3 to 6 weeks.
• As appropriate, review all significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, foods, and behaviors mentioned above.