Chapter

Nicotine

Abstract

Nicotine (54-11-5) is a highly toxic alkaloid found in tobacco plants and tobacco products. It is also used as a smoking cessation pharmacotherapy. Nicotine is an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors that are found in the central and autonomic nervous systems as well as many peripheral tissues. Both acute and chronic exposure to nicotine is associated with adverse effects on multiple organ systems including the nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems.

Authors

Holloway AC

Book title

Encyclopedia of Toxicology

Pagination

pp. 514-516

Publisher

Elsevier

Publication Date

January 1, 2014

DOI

10.1016/b978-0-12-386454-3.00521-2
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