[Local and generalized skin reactions in the use of nicotine patches]

Nicotine-containing patches are prescribed to facilitate tobacco withdrawal by mitigating abstinence symptoms and diminishing craving. In clinical trials local skin reactions were often recorded as a reaction to the patches. Systemic skin reactions were described, but only rarely. The Netherlands Centre for Monitoring of Adverse Reactions to Drugs received II reports of local and 5 reports of systemic skin reactions to nicotine patches during the period January 1993 until April 1994. Skin reactions usually occur after about 15 days' use and local reactions tend to become worse when treatment is continued. The mechanism of the reaction and the part of the patch to which the skin reacts are still unclear.