NICOTINE

Question 1

Nicotine is a potent parasympathetic stimulant

Answer 1

Nicotine is a potent parasympathetic stimulant

Question 2

Main use of Nicotine?

Answer 2

Smokers report use of drug to relax and to feel more alert/aroused

Question 3

Nicotine Routes of administration

Answer 3

Lungs (Smoked)

Mucosa (Chewing tobacco, snuff)

Gastrointestinal tract (Uncommon)

Question 4

How many mg in 1 cigarette?

Answer 4

2 mg

Question 4

Pharmacokinetics of Nicotine

Answer 4

Nicotine: Active ingredient in tobacco leaves
½ life: 2 hours
1 cigarette = approx. 2mg
Effect is felt in 7 seconds from lungs to brain
Cotinine: Inactive metabolite of Nicotine
½ life: 20 hours

Question 5

What is the half life of Nicotine?

Answer 5

2 hours

Question 6

Effect of Nicotine is felt in how many seconds from lungs to brain?

Answer 6

7 seconds

Question 7

What is Cotinine?

Answer 7

Inactive metabolite of Nicotine

Question 8

What is the half life of Cotinine?

Answer 8

20 hours

Question 9

What receptors are effected by Nicotine?

Answer 9

Interacts with the α4β2 acetylcholine receptors (Agonism nAChRS: α9 and 10).

Dopamine agonism
enables communication from basal forebrain to the hippocampus, two regions controlling memory and learning.

ACh’s enhances the intensity and quality of neuron signalling (Hippocampus; Whittaker, 1990)

Question 10

What are the Psychoactive effects of Nicotine?

Answer 10

Glucose release from the liver and Epinephrine from the adrenal medulla (Stimulation)

Norepinephrine release due to heightened levels of acetylcholine resulting in stimulant effects