A clinical pharmacological study of subcutaneous nicotine

The stable isotope-labeled compound 3',-3'-dideuteronicotine (nicotine-d2) was used to investigate the disposition kinetics and effects of nicotine administered subcutaneously to 6 smokers. Plasma nicotine-d2 concentrations were measured for 8 h after subcutaneous injection of 4 doses (0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 2.4 mg). Peak plasma nicotine concentration correlated well with the dose, averaging 2.8 to 14.8 ng/ml, 19 to 25 min after injection of the 0.4 mg and 2.4 mg doses, respectively. The plasma clearance over bioavailability ratio (CL/f) averaged 12 to 13 ml.min-1.kg-1, similar to the clearance reported previously for intravenously administered nicotine. Thus, bioavailability appears to be approximately 100%. The heart rate response was more sensitive to the nicotine dose than the blood pressure response. Subjective effects showed large interindividual variability. The results reported herein may be useful in planning future studies. Administration of nicotine by the subcutaneous route appears to be a practical and safe method for studying the human pharmacology of nicotine.