We have officially entered a new frontier for administering everything from vitamin B12 to caffeine. Instead of pills and powders, the next gen delivery system of choice are patches and pouches. But do these skin-seeping substances have the same effect as eating, drinking, or taking supplements? And more importantly, are they safe? Here's everything you need to know.

Policing Patches and Pouches

According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA), dietary supplements are defined as oral products such as pills, powders, and tinctures of substances including vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino acids. While DSHEA provides lose regulations for supplement manufacturers, this limited oversight does not extend to patches that claim to administer vitamins, minerals, and other substances. These patches are most often placed on the arm or wrist and applied daily. Patches that administer medications such as nitroglycerin or estradiol are strictly regulated by the FDA and are only available by prescription. Oral pouches are yet another route of administration where small sachets are tucked between the lips and gums, allowing for the product to transfer into the body via the gums.

Types of Transdermal Patches

Patches placed on the skin promise easy delivery, but these various substances may not all be absorbed the same way.

Vitamin + Mineral Patches

There are several companies that market adhesive patches to administer vitamin B1 as a hangover cure, such a Boozebandage or B12 Good Patch for an energy jolt. While the promise of pill-less vitamins might be appealing, there is a lack of evidence to support if they are effective or safe. And without regulation, health claims are often unsubstantiated. A 2021 review looked at studies examining the effectiveness of patches for iron, multivitamins, and calcium. Much of the research was conducted on animals; the results were mixed, and therefore, more research is needed. The same study indicated that common side effects were minimal and included skin irritation and discoloration.

Pain Relief Patches

Topical pain relief patches have a better track record as these products, which are made with menthol and lidocaine, are meant to provide localized pain relief. Very little (if any) of the active ingredients make it deep enough to enter your blood stream. Pain relief patches, like KT Tape, are available in a variety of shapes and sizes for different parts of the body.

Enzyme Patches

The use of lactase enzymes supplements, such as Lactaid, is a common and well-established treatment intervention for lactose intolerance, but using a sticker or patch like Barriere to deliver lactase is not as well studied. While many popular lactose intolerance patches contain the same dose as oral pills, more research is needed to determine whether this digestive enzyme can be useful when administered topically.

Types of Oral Pouches

Unlike vitamin patches, oral pouches deliver substances via a very specific route.

Nicotine

Used in a similar method to chewing tobacco, patches like Zyn have become the "it" method for nicotine use. Unlike patches on the arm, pouches placed on the gums provide a much more effective flow of substances into the bloodstream. Research published in 2023 highlights significant health risks associated with the use of these products. Not only is the nicotine highly addictive, but the pouches can also irritate and damage teeth and gums.

Caffeine

There is less research exploring the impact of caffeinated pouches on gum health. Popular brands like Friss or Wip may contain 75 to 200 milligrams of caffeine per pouch, which is more than 2 cups of strong coffee. As with any kind of caffeine intake, moderation is key to avoiding the numerous side effects.

Herbs + Nootropics

The newest style of pouches aims to oppose the buzz of nicotine and caffeine. Products like Ultra and Hoolest advertise focus, calm, and even sleep with blends of herbs, vitamins, amino acids, nootropics, and botanicals. With so many blends and concoctions, it is important to avoid adverse reactions and potential interactions with supplements as well as prescription and OTC medications. Speak with your healthcare provider, if you feel these products would be a good fit for you.

Bottom Line: Think twice before relying on patches and pouches to deliver any substance. It’s a hot trend, but using the current science available, prescriptions, medications, and topical pain relief seem like your best bet.

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