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Drugs A–Z

Nicotine

Nicotine is an over-the-counter medicine (Cholinergic Nicotinic Agonist). The sections below reproduce one FDA label for it, named under "Label". Products in other forms, strengths or from other makers have their own labels, which can differ.

Type
Over the counter (OTC)
Drug class
Cholinergic Nicotinic Agonist
Taken
Transdermal
Label
AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation, revised July 1, 2026 · full label on DailyMed

Purpose

Stop smoking aid

What it is used for

reduces withdrawal symptoms, including nicotine craving, associated with quitting smoking

Active ingredient

Step 1 (in each patch) Nicotine, 21 mg delivered over 24 hours

Active ingredient Step 2 (in each patch) Nicotine, 14 mg delivered over 24 hours

Active ingredient Step 3 (in each patch) Nicotine, 7 mg delivered over 24 hours

Ask a doctor before use if you have

heart disease, recent heart attack, or irregular heartbeat. Nicotine can increase your heart rate. high blood pressure not controlled with medication. Nicotine can increase your blood pressure. an allergy to adhesive tape or have skin problems, because you are more likely to get rashes. stomach ulcer or diabetes. history of seizures.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are

  • using a non-nicotine stop smoking drug
  • taking a prescription medicine for depression or asthma. Your prescription dose may need to be adjusted.

When using this product

  • if you have vivid dreams or other sleep disturbances remove this patch at bedtime

Stop use and ask a doctor if

skin redness caused by the patch does not go away after four days, or if your skin swells, or you get a rash irregular heartbeat or palpitations occur. you get symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and rapid heartbeat. you have symptoms of an allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing or rash).

Warnings

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, only use this medicine on the advice of your health care provider. Smoking can seriously harm your child. Try to stop smoking without using any nicotine replacement medicine. This medicine is believed to be safer than smoking. However, the risks to your child from this medicine are not fully known. Ask a doctor before use if you have heart disease, recent heart attack, or irregular heartbeat. Nicotine can increase your heart rate. high blood pressure not controlled with medication. Nicotine can increase your blood pressure. an allergy to adhesive tape or have skin problems, because you are more likely to get rashes. stomach ulcer or diabetes. history of seizures. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use if you are

  • using a non-nicotine stop smoking drug
  • taking a prescription medicine for depression or asthma. Your prescription dose may need to be adjusted. When using this product
  • if you have vivid dreams or other sleep disturbances remove this patch at bedtime Stop use and ask a doctor if skin redness caused by the patch does not go away after four days, or if your skin swells, or you get a rash irregular heartbeat or palpitations occur. you get symptoms of nicotine overdose, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, weakness and rapid heartbeat. you have symptoms of an allergic reaction (such as difficulty breathing or rash). Keep out of reach of children and pets. Used patches have enough nicotine to poison children and pets. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away(1-800-222-1222). Save pouch to use for patch disposal. Dispose of the used patches by folding sticky ends together and putting in pouch.

Keep out of reach of children

and pets. Used patches have enough nicotine to poison children and pets. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away(1-800-222-1222). Save pouch to use for patch disposal. Dispose of the used patches by folding sticky ends together and putting in pouch.

Dosage:
we do not reproduce dosing instructions. The right dose depends on the person and the condition and is set by the prescriber or pharmacist. Dosage section of the full label.

Nicotine in the news

We have not covered this medicine yet. Latest news

Recalls

  • Class III Ongoing

    Nicotine Transdermal System Patch, 14 mg, 14 patches per box, Aveva, Distributed by: RUGBY LABORATORIES, Indianapolis, IN 46268, www.majorpharmaceuticals.com, NDC 0536-5895-88.

    Reason: Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: Elevated levels of oxidative-related impurities, exceeding shelf-life specifications during stability testing of individual units.

    AVEVA Drug Delivery Systems, Inc.

    Lots, distribution and details
    Lots / codes
    Lot #: 56841, Expires: 03/2028
    Distribution
    Nationwide within the U.S
    Quantity
    59,808 pouches (4,272 Individual Folding Carton (IFC))
    Recall started
    May 14, 2026 (Voluntary: Firm initiated)
    Severity
    Not likely to cause health problems — for example a labelling or packaging fault.
    FDA recall number
    D-0550-2026

Have this medicine at home? Compare the lot number and expiry date on your package with the recall. Do not stop taking a prescribed medicine on your own — stopping suddenly can be riskier than the recalled lot. Your pharmacist can check it and usually swap it for an unaffected one.

Get alerts for Nicotine

We will email you if the FDA reports a recall, if its shortage status changes, or when we publish news about it — at most one email a day. No account needed.









Source: FDA structured product labeling, retrieved through openFDA. Label text is shown as published by the FDA, without editing; long sections are shortened, marked […]. openFDA data are not validated for clinical use — always check the current label and ask a doctor or pharmacist about your own treatment. Set ID e51d2c09-a20f-eb9b-e3e4-013f3e488ab3.


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Important: this content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice, a prescribing instruction, or a recommendation to act. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before taking any medication.

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