Nicoderm
Encyclopedia
NicoDerm, also known as NicoDerm CQ (short for Committed Quit or Committed Quitter) is a branded over the counter palliative
nicotine replacement therapy
used to minimize the withdrawal
effects involved in quitting smoking
.
Alternative brand names include Prostep, Habitrol, NiQuitin
, Nicotrol, Nicorette
, and Commit.
Corporation, based in Mountain View, California
. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline
(GSK), Aventis
and Pfizer
.
NicoDerm was approved by the FDA
in 1991, touted as the original "nicotine transdermal system."
NicoDerm was the second product to provide an alternative to the withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. Nicotine gums, such as Pfizer
's Nicotrol gum (still available in New Zealand) were already quite popular with consumers.
Shortly after NicoDerm's release, Clear NicoDerm was released, as some users complained about the patch's inability to match a wide variety of skin colors. Over the past several years, NicoDerm has become the most popular topical nicotine alternative.
Also shortly after NicoDerm's release, many other pharmaceutical companies began releasing many nicotine replacement therapies, such as Nicotrol, which for a time encompassed Pfizer's entire line of products, including Nicotine gum
, lozenge
s, inhaler
s and nasal sprays. Of the Pfizer line of products, the Nicotrol inhaler and nasal spray are the only two products that appear to still be in production. Nicotrol Gum is still available cheaply in New Zealand.
Unlike adhesive bandage
s, transdermal patches generally use a solid plastic backing, occasionally with a fabric covering on the outside to look like an adhesive bandage. Transdermal patches also use a much stronger adhesive, allowing them to maintain their hold without having to wrap around to themselves, be covered or taped.
Like any other transdermal patches currently available on the market, NicoDerm's adhesive also mediates the release of the medication through the skin.
NicoDerm comes in 3 different variations ranging from 7 mg to 21 mg. The main difference between each level is not the amount of nicotine placed between the backing and the adhesive, but the size of the patch. This is due to the nature of the adhesive. For the adhesive to maintain its hold properly, the consistency of it must remain the same, thereby allowing only a specific amount of nicotine.
Nicoderm's box stated, "Use it 16 hours or 24 hours--You decide!".
Palliative care
Palliative care is a specialized area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients...
nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy
Nicotine replacement therapy is the remedial administration of nicotine to the body by means other than tobacco, usually as part of smoking cessation. Common forms of nicotine replacement therapy are nicotine patches and nicotine gum...
used to minimize the withdrawal
Withdrawal
Withdrawal can refer to any sort of separation, but is most commonly used to describe the group of symptoms that occurs upon the abrupt discontinuation/separation or a decrease in dosage of the intake of medications, recreational drugs, and alcohol...
effects involved in quitting smoking
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
.
Alternative brand names include Prostep, Habitrol, NiQuitin
Niquitin
NiQuitin is a range of nicotine replacement products designed to help smokers quit by replacing the nicotine supplied by cigarettes with a lower, steadier level in order to relieve withdrawal. This is to help users wean off nicotine gradually. Nicotine replacement therapy products NiQuitin is a...
, Nicotrol, Nicorette
Nicorette
Nicorette is the brand name of a pharmaceutical preparation that contains nicotine for the treatment of tobacco dependence. Nicorette was the first medicinal preparation to facilitate smoking cessation....
, and Commit.
History
NicoDerm is manufactured by ALZAALZA
Alza Corporation was a pharmaceutical and medical systems company founded in 1970's by Dr Alejandro Zaffaroni; the company's name is a portmanteau of his name. Alza pioneered the field of drug delivery systems, bringing over 20 prescription pharmaceutical products to market, and employing about...
Corporation, based in Mountain View, California
Mountain View, California
-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...
. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline plc is a global pharmaceutical, biologics, vaccines and consumer healthcare company headquartered in London, United Kingdom...
(GSK), Aventis
Aventis
Aventis was a pharmaceutical and lab assay testing company. It was formed in 1999 when Rhône-Poulenc S.A. merged with Hoechst AG. The merged company was based in Strasbourg, France. With its headquarters in Strasbourg, Aventis was the product of the first transnational merger to combine large...
and Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
.
NicoDerm was approved by the FDA
Food and Drug Administration
The Food and Drug Administration is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, one of the United States federal executive departments...
in 1991, touted as the original "nicotine transdermal system."
NicoDerm was the second product to provide an alternative to the withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. Nicotine gums, such as Pfizer
Pfizer
Pfizer, Inc. is an American multinational pharmaceutical corporation. The company is based in New York City, New York with its research headquarters in Groton, Connecticut, United States...
's Nicotrol gum (still available in New Zealand) were already quite popular with consumers.
Shortly after NicoDerm's release, Clear NicoDerm was released, as some users complained about the patch's inability to match a wide variety of skin colors. Over the past several years, NicoDerm has become the most popular topical nicotine alternative.
Also shortly after NicoDerm's release, many other pharmaceutical companies began releasing many nicotine replacement therapies, such as Nicotrol, which for a time encompassed Pfizer's entire line of products, including Nicotine gum
Nicotine gum
Nicotine gum is a type of chewing gum that delivers nicotine to the body. It is used as an aid in nicotine replacement therapy , a process for smoking cessation and quitting smokeless tobacco. The nicotine is delivered to the bloodstream via absorption by the tissues of the mouth.It is currently...
, lozenge
Lozenge
A lozenge , often referred to as a diamond, is a form of rhombus. The definition of lozenge is not strictly fixed, and it is sometimes used simply as a synonym for rhombus. Most often, though, lozenge refers to a thin rhombus—a rhombus with acute angles of 45°...
s, inhaler
Inhaler
An inhaler or puffer is a medical device used for delivering medication into the body via the lungs. It is mainly used in the treatment of asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease . Zanamivir , used to treat influenza, must be administered via inhaler...
s and nasal sprays. Of the Pfizer line of products, the Nicotrol inhaler and nasal spray are the only two products that appear to still be in production. Nicotrol Gum is still available cheaply in New Zealand.
Functioning
Adhesive bandage
An adhesive bandage, also called a sticking plaster is a small dressing used for injuries not serious enough to require a full-size bandage. "Band-Aid" is the common American English term, while "plaster" is the term in British English usage.- Function :The adhesive bandage protects the cut, e.g...
s, transdermal patches generally use a solid plastic backing, occasionally with a fabric covering on the outside to look like an adhesive bandage. Transdermal patches also use a much stronger adhesive, allowing them to maintain their hold without having to wrap around to themselves, be covered or taped.
Like any other transdermal patches currently available on the market, NicoDerm's adhesive also mediates the release of the medication through the skin.
NicoDerm comes in 3 different variations ranging from 7 mg to 21 mg. The main difference between each level is not the amount of nicotine placed between the backing and the adhesive, but the size of the patch. This is due to the nature of the adhesive. For the adhesive to maintain its hold properly, the consistency of it must remain the same, thereby allowing only a specific amount of nicotine.
Nicoderm's box stated, "Use it 16 hours or 24 hours--You decide!".