Nicotine Patch 21 mg (Step 1)
NicoDerm CQ and its twins. Stop smoking aid. Active ingredients: Nicotine 21 mg/24 hr. Also sold as Habitrol Step 1.
12 options at Walmart, Target, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, Amazon. Cheapest: $2.07 per patch; typical NicoDerm CQ: $3.57 per patch. Prices are estimates from Oct 2026.
Cheapest options
- Equate Nicotine Transdermal System Step 1, 21 mg — Walmart, 14 patches, $28.97 ($2.07 per patch)
- up&up Nicotine Transdermal System Step 1, 21 mg — Target, 14 patches, $32.99 ($2.36 per patch)
- Kroger Nicotine Transdermal System Step 1, 21 mg — Kroger, 14 patches, $34.99 ($2.50 per patch)
- NicoDerm CQ Step 1 Clear Nicotine Patch, 21 mg — Walmart, 14 patches, $41.97 ($3.00 per patch)
- CVS Health Nicotine Transdermal System Step 1, 21 mg — CVS, 14 patches, $42.99 ($3.07 per patch)
- Walgreens Nicotine Transdermal System Step 1, 21 mg — Walgreens, 14 patches, $42.99 ($3.07 per patch)
- NicoDerm CQ Step 1 Clear Nicotine Patch, 21 mg — Amazon, 14 patches, $44.99 ($3.21 per patch)
- NicoDerm CQ Step 1 Clear Nicotine Patch, 21 mg — Target, 14 patches, $47.99 ($3.43 per patch)
Where to find it
Look for the “Smoking Cessation” aisle sign. May be in a locked case or anti-theft box, or kept behind the pharmacy or front counter — ask an associate.
Good to know
- The NicoDerm CQ label says to start with Step 1 (21 mg) if you smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day, and with Step 2 (14 mg) if you smoke 10 or fewer.
- The full Step 1 course on the NicoDerm CQ carton is 6 weeks (42 patches); a 14-patch box covers only 2 weeks.
- Store-brand patches don't all come from the same source: in the FDA's NDC directory, Walmart's and Target's 21 mg patches are listed under NicoDerm CQ's own application (NDA 020165), while CVS's and Kroger's Step 1 patches (and one of Walgreens') are listed under Habitrol's (NDA 020076).