How to take it

the patches not give you the "buzz" you get from a See the following directions, which tell you cigarette/e-cigarette. where to apply the patch, how to apply and how to remove the patch.

Benefits you can get from using NRT instead of smoking/vaping

For the best effect, ensure that you use Boots NicAssist Translucent Patches correctly – see "How to use the patches". The benefits of stopping smoking tobacco far outweigh any potential risk from using nicotine from NRT. It is the toxins in cigarette smoke such as tar, lead, cyanide and ammonia that cause smoking related disease and death, not the nicotine.

• You may think that smoking tobacco/ vaping helps relieve feelings of anxiety and stress, but it does not deal with the cause of the stress. In addition, the feeling of relaxation after smoking/vaping is temporary, with withdrawal symptoms and cravings soon returning.
• NRT can help relieve nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, low mood, anxiety, restlessness and cravings when used in place of cigarettes/e-cigarettes.
• NRT may benefit smokers and vapers who want to quit, by helping to control weight gain that may be experienced when trying to stop smoking/vaping Use of NRT is safer than smoking tobacco but as soon as you are ready, you should aim to stop smoking/ vaping completely. The effects of vaping on your body are not established.

1. Before you apply the patch, choose a completely clean, dry area of hairless skin on the front or side of the chest, upper arm or hip. 2. Do not place the patch onto any area of skin that is red, cut or irritated. 3. Do not apply oil or talcum powder to the skin before putting on the patch as this may prevent it from sticking properly. 4. It is important that you do not apply the patches to the same area of skin on two consecutive days. This will help prevent irritation.

How to apply the patch

1. Wash your hands before applying the patch. 2. Each patch comes in a child resistant sachet, which can be opened by cutting along the edge with a pair of scissors. 3. Remove the patch from its sachet and then peel one part of the silvery backing foil away. Do not touch the sticky surface of the patch with your fingers. 4. Carefully apply the sticky part of the patch to the chosen area of skin and then peel off the other half of the silvery backing foil. 5. Press the patch firmly onto the skin with your palm or fingertips. 6. Run your fingers around the edge of the patch to ensure that it sticks properly.

Removing and disposing of the patch

1. The patch should be removed before you go to bed, as it is not designed to be worn when you go to sleep at night or for more This medicine can be used by adults and than 16 hours per day. children of 12 years and over. However, some 2. After removal, the patch should be folded in people should not use this medicine or half, sticky side inwards and placed inside the should seek the advice of their pharmacist or opened sachet or a piece of aluminium foil. doctor first. 3. The patch should then be disposed of carefully in the household rubbish, out of the Do not use: sight and reach of children and animals.

• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients in this medicine (see "What is in this When to use the patch medicine") Read all of the following information carefully
• If you are a child under 12 years of age before starting to use the patches: Talk to your pharmacist, nurse or • Follow the instructions in the table on the doctor: back of the leaflet, which shows how many
• If you are in hospital because of heart patches you should be using and when you disease (e.g. heart attack, chest pain, should be using them. problems with your heart rate or rhythm,
• If you are ready to stop smoking/vaping stroke, angina or high blood pressure) – try to completely, you should use the patches, give up smoking/vaping first without using when needed, to replace all of your NRT. However, once you are out of hospital, cigarettes/e-cigarettes by following the if you still need help to stop smoking/vaping, instructions under "Stopping Immediately". you can use this medicine. For other heart
• If you are not ready to stop smoking/ conditions that do not require you to be in vaping completely, you should replace as hospital, using NRT is better than continuing many cigarettes/e-cigarettes as possible with to smoke. The risks of continued vaping are the patches. Boots NicAssist Translucent not yet established. Patches provide a safer alternative to
• If you have diabetes – monitor your blood smoking tobacco for you and those around sugar levels more often when you start using you, as it is the toxins in cigarette smoke that this medicine. You may find that you need to cause harm, not the nicotine. Reducing the adjust the amount of insulin that you use, or amount of cigarettes/e-cigarettes you the amount of tablets that you take (ask your smoke/vape may also help you to become doctor or diabetes nurse about this). more motivated to stop smoking/vaping.
• If you have an ulcer in your stomach or upper If you are planning to stop smoking/vaping or intestine or problems such as pain or swelling reduce the number of cigarettes/e-cigarettes of the stomach or oesophagus (the passage you smoke/vape, Boots NicAssist between your mouth and stomach). Translucent Patches can be used while you
• If your liver or kidneys do not work properly. are still smoking/vaping. However, during this
• If you have an overactive thyroid gland. time, you should aim to replace as many
• If you have high blood pressure due to a cigarettes/e-cigarettes as possible with the tumour near your kidney (your doctor may patch. As soon as you feel ready you should have told you that you have a condition stop smoking/vaping completely. Follow the called phaeochromocytoma). instructions under "Stopping Gradually".
• If you have skin problems such as psoriasis,
• You can also use the patches when you eczema, or raised red itchy skin covering can't or don't want to smoke/vape, such large areas of your body – you should not as long haul flights, social occasions, or use the patches (ask your pharmacist about when at work. However, in smoke/vape free other NRT products that may be more areas such as the pub, work breaks, on a suitable for you). train or bus, car journeys etc., an alternative
• If you are taking other medicines regularly flexible Boots NicAssist product (Gum, prescribed by your doctor (see "If you take Microtab) may be more suitable. Follow the other medicines"). instructions under "Temporary Abstinence".
• If you have ever experienced seizures (fits).
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding (see When making an attempt to stop smoking/ "Other important information"). vaping completely, behavioural therapy advice and support will normally improve the Other important information success rate. If you are pregnant: You should try to stop Depending on where you are in your smoking/vaping without using NRT. treatment programme, the strength of patch However, if you still need help to stop smoking, that you should be using may differ. you can use this product as the risk to your • See the "How to stop smoking/vaping – your baby is far less than if you continue to smoke. choice" instructions to see what strength of You should talk to your pharmacist, nurse or doctor for more advice. The effects of vaping on patch you should be using and, where applicable, for how long. babies and children are not established.
• Use the "How to use the patch" instructions

Before you use this medicine

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Choosing where to apply the patch

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NRT products that are used intermittently may be preferable to nicotine patches. However, if you feel sick or are sick (morning sickness) the patches may be better for you. If you do use nicotine patches they should be taken off before bedtime. The effects of vaping on your body during pregnancy are not established. If you are breastfeeding: You should try to stop smoking/vaping without using NRT. However, if you still need help to stop smoking/vaping, it is recommended that you use NRT products that are used intermittently, not patches. You should talk to your pharmacist, nurse or doctor for more advice. If you do use the patches, breastfeeding your baby just before you apply the patches makes sure that your baby gets the smallest amount of nicotine possible. The amount of nicotine that your baby may receive when you are using the patches or other NRT products is much smaller and less harmful than the second-hand smoke they would inhale if you smoked. The effects of vaping on your body during breastfeeding are not established. Tobacco smoke causes breathing and other health problems in babies and children. The effects of vaping on babies and children are not established. If your husband, partner or other family members smoke/vape too, try to get them to give up with you. Nicotine products and children: Nicotine can be very dangerous to children. The amount of nicotine tolerated by adults and adolescents can make children very ill, and can sometimes be fatal. Do not leave your patches where children may get hold of them. NicAssist patches and medical scans: Remove the patch before a medical scan to prevent the risk of burns.

If you notice any of the following serious side effects, stop using the medicine, do not smoke/vape and see your doctor as soon as possible: How to stop smoking/vaping • You develop a fast, slow or irregular heart beat.

• your choice
• You have an allergic reaction to the patch Because smoking/vaping is an addiction you such as rash, difficulty breathing or may find it difficult to give up. From time to swallowing, itching or swelling of the tongue, time you may still have strong urges to mouth or throat (go straight to casualty if smoke/vape but if you follow these severe). recommendations, you have a good chance • You experience seizures (fits). of stopping smoking/vaping completely or Effects related to stopping reducing the number of smoking/vaping (nicotine withdrawal) cigarettes/e-cigarettes you smoke/vape. You may experience unwanted effects If you find it hard to stop smoking/vaping because by stopping smoking/vaping or when using nicotine patches, you are using the patch when you are unable to worried that you will start smoking/vaping smoke/vape you have reduced the amount of again without them, or you find it difficult to nicotine you are getting. You may also reduce the number or strength of patches experience these effects if you reduce the you are using, talk to your pharmacist, nurse strength of your patch that you use before or doctor. you are ready to reduce your nicotine intake. Children under 12 years These effects include: Do not give this medicine to children under
• Irritability or aggression, feeling low, anxiety, 12 years. restlessness
• Poor concentration, urges to smoke Stopping immediately (craving), night time awakening or sleep disturbance Adults and children of 12 years
• Increased appetite or weight gain and over
• Lowering of heart rate Age How many and how often
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, blurry vision, to use them nausea
• Cough Adults and Apply one new patch
• Constipation children of (of appropriate strength) to 12 years the skin when you wake up • Bleeding gums
• Mouth ulcers and over (usually in the morning).
• Swelling of the nasal passages and back of Remove the patch 16 hours the throat later, which is usually at Effects of too much nicotine bedtime. You may also get these effects if you are not Don't use more than one patch at a time. used to inhaling tobacco smoke or vaping. You may be able to relieve these effects by If you lose a patch whilst swimming, bathing reducing the strength of the patch you are or showering you can replace it with another using. patch for the remainder of the 16 hours. These effects include:
• Feeling faint, feeling sick (nausea), headache The idea is to stop smoking/vaping immediately and use the patches to relieve Side effects of the patch the cravings to smoke/vape. After achieving When you use Boots NicAssist Translucent this you then slowly reduce the amount of Patch for the first time they may cause a mild nicotine that you are getting by switching to skin reaction. This is usually redness or lower strength patches. You then stop using itching of the skin where the patch has been the patches. You should aim to do this within applied. This will usually disappear after a 12 weeks (3 months). few days. The following diagram shows the basic step Rarely, this reaction may continue for longer, by step process. Make sure that you read or the reaction may be more severe. If this the instructions for each step in the happens, stop using the patches and talk to information which follows. your pharmacist, nurse or doctor. Patch reduction guide Very common side effects: (more than 1 in every 10 people are affected) 10 mg 15 mg 25 mg
• Itching 2 weeks 2 weeks 8 weeks Common side effects: Step 3 Step 2 Step 1 (less than 1 in every 10 people are affected)
• Dizziness, headache 12 week programme
• Feeling sick, being sick
• Skin rash, hives For best results, most smokers/vapers are recommended to start on the 25 mg patch Uncommon side effects: (step 1) and follow the instructions below. (less than 1 in every 100 people are affected) • Allergic reactions However, if you are a lighter smoker (those who typically smoke less than 10 cigarettes • Pins and needles
• Changes in heart rhythm (you may notice a per day) or a light to moderate vaper (e.g. fast heart rate or beat) vape infrequently or use low strength e-liquid) or you notice excessive side effects • Flushing, high blood pressure
• Excess sweating, shortness of breath when using the 25 mg patch see "If you
• Muscle pain where the patch is applied notice excessive side effects or you are a
• Application site reactions such as itching, lighter smoker/vaper" and follow those redness, swelling or burning sensation where instructions. the patch is placed Step 1: Begin treatment with the highest
• Generally feeling unwell or weak, feeling strength 25 mg patch the day after you stop tired, chest pains smoking/vaping completely. Use a new Rare side effects: 25 mg patch each day for eight weeks. (less than 1 in every 1,000 people are Step 2: If you are successful and avoid affected) smoking/vaping during this eight week
• Severe allergic reaction, swelling or redness period, you should then begin to reduce the of the skin amount of nicotine you are getting by
• Stomach discomfort switching to a lower strength patch.
• Pain in the arms and legs Now use the 15 mg patch (step 2) each day Very rare side effects: for two weeks. (less than 1 in 10,000 people are affected) Step 3: If you are successful and avoid
• Abnormal beating of the heart smoking/vaping over this two week period, When you stop smoking you may also then switch from the 15 mg patch to the develop mouth ulcers. The reason why this 10 mg patch (step 3) each day for a further happens is unknown. two weeks. Reporting of side effects You might feel a sudden craving to If you get any side effects, talk to your smoke/vape long after you have given up doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes smoking/vaping and stopped using Boots any possible side effects not listed on this NicAssist Translucent Patches. Remember leaflet. You can also report side effects you can use NRT again if this should happen. directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: If you notice excessive side www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or effects or you are a lighter smoker/vaper Apple App Store. By reporting side effects When using the highest strength 25 mg you can help provide more information on patch, if you notice excessive side effects, the safety of this medicine. which do not disappear after a few days of use, you should use the 15 mg patch (step 2)

Possible side effects

This is a service provided by the Royal Most people can use this medicine without National Institute of Blind People. any problems but sometimes you may notice some side effects. Many of these effects are due to nicotine, they may also happen when you smoke/vape. 6521115

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to make sure that you apply the patches correctly to ensure that nicotine is released and passes into your body through the skin.

How to store it

and dispose for the remainder of the 8 weeks. You should of this medicine then switch to the 10 mg patch (step 3) and Do not store above 25°C. use for the remaining 4 weeks. Keep this medicine in a safe place out of Lighter smokers (those who typically smoke the sight and reach of children and less than 10 cigarettes per day) and light to animals, preferably in a locked cupboard. moderate vapers (e.g. vape infrequently or Nicotine in high amounts can be very use low strength e-liquid) are recommended dangerous and sometimes fatal if used or to start on the 15 mg patch (step 2) for swallowed by children. 8 weeks then use the 10 mg patch (step 3) Use by the date on the patch sachet foil or for the final 4 weeks. the end flap of the carton. After this date return any unused medicine to your nearest Stopping gradually pharmacy for safe disposal. Boots NicAssist Translucent Patch can be used Dispose of the patch as directed by folding it whilst you are still smoking/vaping. The idea is in half and placing inside the empty sachet to start by gradually replacing some of the (or wrapping in a piece of aluminium foil) cigarettes/e-cigarettes you smoke/vape before throwing away. Always dispose of whilst using the patch. After achieving this, you used patches sensibly, out of the sight and should aim to stop smoking/vaping completely reach of children and animals. whilst using the patch. Finally, you should stop using the patch completely. What is in this medicine For best results, you should ideally start on This pack contains 7 patches packed into the 25 mg patch (step 1). Slowly reduce the individual sachets. amount of nicotine you are getting by Each transdermal patch contains nicotine, switching to the 15 mg patch (step 2) as soon which is the active ingredient. as you have reduced the number of cigarettes you smoke to less than 10 cigarettes per day Boots NicAssist Translucent 25 mg Patch or you are vaping infrequently or using low releases 25 milligrams of nicotine, the active strength e-liquid, until you have given up ingredient, over 16 hours. patches completely. Boots NicAssist Translucent 15 mg Patch Lighter smokers (those who typically smoke releases 15 milligrams of nicotine, the active less than 10 cigarettes per day) and light to ingredient, over 16 hours. moderate vapers (e.g. vape infrequently or Boots NicAssist Translucent 10 mg Patch use low strength e-liquid) are recommended releases 10 milligrams of nicotine, the active to start on the 15 mg patch (step 2). When ingredient, over 16 hours. trying to stop smoking/vaping it is As well as the active ingredient, the patches recommended to continue on the 15 mg also contain medium chain triglycerides, patch (step 2) for 8 weeks and then switch to basic butylated methacrylate copolymer, the 10 mg patch (step 3) for the last 4 weeks. polyethylenterephthalate film (PET), acrylic adhesive solution, potassium hydroxide, Temporary abstinence croscarmellose sodium, aluminium A patch should be used in those acetylacetonate, siliconised PET release liner situations when you can't or don't want with aluminised single side, printing inks. to smoke/vape such as long haul flights, social occasions or when at work. Who makes this medicine The product is manufactured for The Boots For best results, you should use a 25 mg Company PLC, Nottingham, NG2 3AA by LTS patch (step 1). However, lighter smokers Lohmann Therapie-Systeme AG Lohmannstrasse (those who typically smoke less than 10 2 D-56626 Andernach Germany. cigarettes per day) and light to moderate vapers (e.g. vape infrequently or use low The Marketing Authorisation holder is strength e-liquid) are recommended to use McNeil Products Limited, the 15 mg patch (step 2). 1 Station Hill Square, Station Hill, Reading, RG1 1LN, UK If you have used too many patches: If you have used more than the This leaflet was last revised March 2026 recommended number of patches, left the If you would like any further information patch on for too long or have smoked/vaped about this product, please contact whilst using the patch, you may get the The Boots Company PLC, Nottingham, following symptoms – nausea (feeling sick), NG2 3AA. vomiting, increased salivation, pain in your stomach, diarrhoea, sweating, headache, Other formats dizziness, hearing disturbance or weakness. To request a copy of this leaflet in Braille, If this happens remove the patch large print or audio please call, free of immediately and rinse the application charge: site with water. Do not smoke or vape. Contact a doctor or hospital casualty 0800 198 5000 (UK only) department straight away. Take the Please be ready to give the following medicine and this leaflet with you. information: If a child under 12 accidentally uses, Product name Reference Number sucks, chews or swallows a patch take Boots NicAssist them to casualty immediately. Take the Translucent 25 mg Patch 15513/0161 medicine and this leaflet with you. Nicotine Boots NicAssist absorption or ingestion by a child may result Translucent 15 mg Patch 15513/0160 in severe poisoning. Boots NicAssist Translucent 10 mg Patch 15513/0159