Nicoderm

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.

History
NicoDerm is manufactured by ALZA Corporation, based in Mountain View, California. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Aventis and Pfizer.

NicoDerm was approved by the FDA in 1991, as the first "nicotine transdermal system". It was the second product to provide an alternative to the withdrawal symptoms of quitting smoking. Nicotine gums, such as Pfizer's Nicotrol gum, were already available. For a time Nicotrol encompassed Pfizer's entire line of products, including gum, lozenges, inhalers and nasal sprays; the last two are still available, and the gum in New Zealand.

Shortly after NicoDerm's initial release, the company added Clear NicoDerm, since some users had complained about the patch's inability to match a wide variety of skin colors.

NicoDerm has become the most popular topical nicotine alternative.

Functioning
Unlike adhesive bandages, 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. All strengths contain the same amount of nicotine per sq cm, and the stronger patches are proportionately larger. 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 per sq cm.

Nicoderm's box stated, "Use it 16 hours or 24 hours--You decide!".