Posted on: July 26, 2007
Stick ’Em Up
Why take a pill when you can stick on a patch? We take a closer look at popular patches on the market today, from nicotine to birth control
By Lisa Arnett
CTW Features
Though the technologies can vary by product, the principal is the same: Patches allow molecules to diffuse through the skin, bypassing the stomach and going straight into the bloodstream. Advanced adhesives mean you can wear them in the shower and in the pool, though any lotions or oils on your skin will foil them from sticking.
The technology started with estrogen-therapy patches in the 80s, and has since opened up an entire market of patches. While lesser-known products like the Denti-Patch – lidocane patches to numb the gums of needle-phobes before a dental injection – have been around since 1996, the most recent innovation in the patch industry is Daytrana, a medical patch for children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Here, we take a closer look behind the basics of the three most well-known patches out there: estrogen, nicotine and birth control.
Nicotine-replacement therapy
Well-known brands: NicoDerm CQ and Nicotrol; many drug stores such as Rite Aid and CVS now manufacture their own store brands.
Size: Most patches have different nicotine levels that correspond to how often you smoke and are less than 2 inches square.
Color: Transparent
How to get it: Your local drug store
History: Both NicoDerm CQ and Nicotrol went over-the-counter in 1996. NicoDerm CQ features SmartControl technology, which provides a controlled release of nicotine through the skin. Most patches stay put with an acrylic adhesive.
Benefits: Helps smokers kick the habit by delivering that much-craved nicotine without the other harmful carcinogens in cigarettes.
Risks: Users should consult their doctor if they’re taking another non-nicotine, stop-smoking drug, or if they’re taking prescription medicines for asthma or depression, as prescriptions may need to be adjusted, says Jennifer May, a spokeswoman for NicoDerm CQ manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline. Nicotine also increases heart rate, which can have side effects, such as heart palpitations or irregular heart beat.
Where do you put it? Any dry, hairless part of your body is suggested, according to May. The upper arm is a popular pick.
How often do you use it? Most nicotine patches last for 24 hours, and depending on how much you smoke, eight to 10 weeks of wear is suggested.
What if it falls off? “NicoDerm CQ patches generally stick well to most people’s skin; however, a patch may occasionally come off,” May says. “If your NicoDerm CQ patch falls off during the day, put on a new patch, making sure you select a nonhairy, non-irritated area of skin that is clean and dry.”
Estrogen-replacement therapy
Well-known brands: Climara, Climara-Pro, Menostar, Vivelle-Dot, Combi-Patch
Size: Most patches are available in different dosages and can be as small as a postage stamp.
Color: Transparent
How to get it: A prescription from your doctor, who will test your hormone levels
History: The first estrogen-only patch, Estraderm, introduced in 1986 by Novartis, used a reservoir system that allowed a pool of hormones to diffuse through the liner, according to officials at Novartis Pharmaceuticals. The second-generation technology, called drug-in adhesive patches, were flatter and incorporated the drug into an acrylic adhesive. In May of 1999, the newest generation of estrogen therapy patches – the Vivelle-Dot patch produced by Novagyne, a partnership between companies Noven and Novartis – debuted with a patented dot-matrix technology in which an acrylic substance houses the drug molecules and a silicone adhesive keeps the patch stuck to the skin. Made by Bayer Pharmaceuticals, Climara debuted in 1995, while the FDA approved Menostar in 2004.
Benefits: In menopausal women whose ovaries no longer produce estrogen (or women who have had hysterectomies, in the case of estrogen-only patches), estrogen-progestin patches can prevent osteoporosis and reduce hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms.
Risks: Skin irritation, headache, back pain and breast tenderness are the most common side effects. Estrogen also increases the chance of uterine cancer and is often combined with progestin to prevent the risks of heart attack, stroke or blood clots.
Where do you put it? The lower abdomen
How often do you use it? Once or twice a week, depending on the brand and dosage
What if it falls off? Re-apply the same patch to a different area, or replace with a new one.
Birth control
Well-known brands: The only birth control patch currently on the market is Ortho Evra.
Size:1.75-inch square
Color: Peach
How to get it: A prescription from your physician
History: Ortho Evra debuted in 2002.
Benefits: Provides 99-percent effective pregnancy prevention for women without the daily hassle of taking a pill
Risks: Blood clots, heart attack and stroke are serious risks of using the patch, which delivers about 60 percent more estrogen than the typical birth control pill, according to Gloria Vanderham, Ortho Evra communications manager. Women who smoke and are over 35 years old are especially susceptible to these health risks. The most common side effect is skin irritation – especially for women with sensitive skin – that lessens with continued use.
Where do you put it? On one of four designated areas: the upper torso (front or back, but not on or near the breasts), abdomen, buttock or upper outer arm.
How often do you use it? Once a week.
What if it falls off? Depending on when the patch loosens or falls off, you either replace it with a new patch or start a new four-week cycle of patches.
