Disposition kinetics and effects of intravenous nicotine.

Nicotine was given intravenously to subjects during acid and alkaline urine conditions in doses and a dosing schedule to simulate cigarette smoking. Total clearances were greater, terminal half-lifes shorter, but volumes of distribution much the same in acid (pH < 5) and alkaline (pH > 7) urine conditions. The effect of urinary pH on total clearance was due entirely to changes in renal clearance, which accounted for 23% and 2% of total clearance in acid and alkaline urine conditions. Nicotine injections induced a sensation of arousal and increased heart rate and blood pressure over the short term, but with repeated injections tolerance to these effects developed rapidly. No differences in subjective or physiologic responses to intravenous nicotine were observed and we consider it unlikely that the effects of smoking a cigarette differ as a function of urinary pH.