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Nicotine absorption and dependence in unlicensed lozenges available over the counter
Author(s) -
Foulds Jonathan,
Russell Michael A. H.,
Jarvis Martin J.,
Feyerabend Colin
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
addiction
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.424
H-Index - 193
eISSN - 1360-0443
pISSN - 0965-2140
DOI - 10.1046/j.1360-0443.1998.939142713.x
Subject(s) - lozenge , nicotine , medicine , cotinine , absorption (acoustics) , smoking cessation , anesthesia , pharmacology , physics , archaeology , pathology , acoustics , history
Aim. To demonstrate the nicotine absorption and dependence potential from unlicensed nicotine containing lozenges . Design. A single case report of dependence on nicotine lozenges, plus measurements of nicotine levels before and after consumption of eight nicotine lozenges over 2 hours in volunteers. Setting. Hospital Smokers' Clinic. Participants. One male patient suffering from schizophrenia who had consumed 150 "Stoppers" lozenges per day for the previous 5 years, plus seven non‐smoker volunteers . Measurements. Blood nicotine concentration . Findings. The patient's low expired carbon monoxide level (5 p.p.m.) and high plasma nicotine (32 ng/ml) and cotinine levels (947 ng/ml) were consistent with very heavy lozenge consumption. The non‐smoker volunteers obtained nicotine concentrations of around 11 ng/ml by consuming eight Stoppers lozenges over 2 hours. Other brands of nicotine lozenges produced lower initial levels, but also produced delayed intestinal absorption and vomiting after food consumption . Conclusion. Nicotine lozenges are a potential aid to smoking cessation but their safety, efficacy and abuse potential remain to be properly evaluated.