NICOTINE AND NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Figen OCAK* °, Zeynep YÜCE**
*Gazi University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Thecnology, 06330 Etiler, Ankara, TURKEY. **Ministry of Health, General Directorate of Pharmaceuticals and Pharmacy, Drug Licening Divigion, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, TURKEY.
°Corresponding Author

Summary:
Cigarette is the largest, single preventable cause of death and disease in the world. Most cigarette smokers would like to stop smoking. Cigarette smoking is motivated by addiction to nicotine. Stopping smoking is associated with nicotine withdrawal symptoms (anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, craving for cigarettes). These symptoms can be most intense. Nicotine is marketed as a pharmaceutical agent for use in the treatment of tobacco addiction. Nicotine therapy produce lower nicotine concentrations than cigarettes, no tar and carbon monoxide. Based upon physicochemical and pharmacokinetic principles, nicotine exhibits very low systemic availability after oral administration. Absorption of nicotine from the oral mucous is highly dependent upon the pH. Nicotine is absorbed rapidly and efficiently from nasal mucous and readily passes through the skin. There are four nicotine transdermal delivery systems (Habitrol, Nicoderm, Prostep, Nicotrol) and one chewing nicotine gum (Nicotine Polacrilex Gum) on the market. Gum has some side effects (nausea, jaw fatigue). Transdermal nicotine has several advantages over the nicotine gum (ease of use, improved patient compliance, better dose control, generally acceptable side effects). These products can assist smokers in quitting smoking and usually doubles long term abstinence rates. Unfortunately, smoking cessation rates are only modest. Further research on nicotine replacement therapy can be expected to enhance the effectiveness of therapy.

Keywords:
Nicotine, smoking cessation, nicotine addiction, transdermal, gum, nasal spray, pharmacokinetics