The nicotine patch should be applied upon waking and worn throughout the day.

Activities such as bathing or swimming for short periods can be done normally, as water does not affect nicotine patches.

Depending on the duration of the patch, the patch should be removed either before the user goes to sleep at night (16-hour patches like Nicorette®) or before applying a new patch the following morning (24-hour patches like Niquitin®).