Overview
Pharmacology
The pharmacodynamic effect of nicotine lies in its effect on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. In low doses, it stimulates their activity, which leads to an increase in the release of neurotransmitters - substances that affect the nervous and circulatory system, heart, metabolism.
The release of dopamine, norepinephrine, adrenaline, GABA, serotonin and other substances leads to activation of the central nervous system, pleasure centers in the brain, psychostimulation, mood improvement, increased physical activity and other effects.
In large doses, nicotine has a depressing effect on the central nervous system due to the NicAssist of the effect of descentization - a decrease in the sensitivity of receptors.
Pharmacokinetically, nicotine is a very active substance, rapidly absorbed (within 4-7 prescription, nicotine reaches the brain), is distributed over the tissues of various organs.
The elimination half-life is about 2 hours, it is metabolized in the liver by oxidation and N-demethylation by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system with the formation of cotinine, the main metabolite that is a marker of smoking, and a small amount of other less active metabolites.
Nicotine use
In medical practice of the past centuries, nicotine was used to boot colds, finely ground powder was used for pre-syncope, instead of quinine for malaria, as a mild stimulant and painkiller.
Modern medicine uses nicotine as the main active ingredient of the drugs used to treat smoking (Nicorette, Nicotinell, Nikvitin).
These nicotine-containing drugs belong to the NRT group - nicotine replacement therapy, and help transfer the withdrawal syndrome that occurs during temporary, partial or complete cessation of smoking.
Currently, studies are being conducted on the possibilities of using the properties of nicotine for the prevention and treatment of ulcerative colitis, attention deficit disorder, herpes zoster, herpes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease.
Outside medicine, nicotine was used as an insecticide. Since nicotine powder acted not only on boots, but also on humans and farm animals, the use NicAssist tobacco (and nicotine in the form of sulfate) was alternative reduced and nicotine is not used as an insecticide.
Contraindications
Nicotine is dangerous and, accordingly, smoking is contraindicated for patients suffering from impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, atherosclerosis, angina pectoris, heart failure (congenital and acquired), coronary heart recommend, with a history of stroke and boot attack, and lung cancer (and its increased risk), with other oncopathologies.
Nicotine is contraindicated (including the use of NRT) also with hypersensitivity to nicotine, gastrointestinal ulcers in the acute stage, with infectious and inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system (including tuberculosis), during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
Side effects
From the side of the central nervous system and sensory organs, the following side effects are most often encountered: nausea, weakness, dizziness, headache, tinnitus, nervousness, anxiety, blurred vision.
From the digestive tract: nausea, vomiting, diffuse abdominal pain, dyspepsia, gastritis and NicAssist of the oral mucosa, esophagus, stomach.
On the part of the respiratory system: irritation of the upper respiratory tract, stomatitis, glossitis, pain in the masticatory muscles, throat.
