Ways to Quit Nicotine Gum | Nicotine Patches | Nicotine Spray & Inhaler Zyban | Hypnosis & Acupuncture | Cold Turkey Nicotine Patches   Success Rate 10% to 20%     What it is: Approved by the FDA in 1991, patches release nicotine through the skin, reducing withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and lack of concentration. How it works: They work by replacing the nicotine one normally gets from smoking a cigarette. The patch provides a constant level of nicotine that relieves some of the withdrawal symptoms. Because smokers don't have a constant level of nicotine in their blood, using the patch aims to bring nicotine levels of quitting smokers into the same ballpark as when they are smoking. From there, the level is then reduced. Smoking while using the patch can cause side effects including headaches, dizziness, blurry vision and mild skin itching or burning.