are there any side effects for the nicotine patch?

There are side effects, such as muscle aches, skin irritation, dizziness, racing heartbeat, sleep problems, headaches, nausea, vomiting

All drugs have side effects, and the nicotine patch is no exception. Some of the more common ones are headache, drowsiness, stomach upset, flushing, nausea, lightheadedness and dizziness. These may go away after the first few days when your system adjusts to the drug. If they persist, call your doctor. The skin site you choose to place the patch may become itchy, red or irritated. You can try changing the site of your patch, but it may persist. It is important to note that the patch can have other side effects that may be more serious, such as nervousness, chest pain, breathing difficulties, irregular heartbeat, anxiety and tremors.

Don’t ignore any new or changing symptoms that happen when you start any new drug. Some symptoms, like skin irritation, may not seem serious, but actually can be a sign of infection. If you have any of the above symptoms, or any symptoms that coincide with the starting of any nicotine replacement drug, contact your doctor immediately.