Nicotrol Inhaler
Generic name:nicotine inhalation system
Dosage form: inhalant
Drug class:Smoking cessation agents
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 22, 2021.
On This Page
Nicotrol Inhaler Description
NICOTROL® Inhaler (nicotine inhalation system) consists of a mouthpiece and a plastic cartridge delivering 4 mg of nicotine from a porous plug containing 10 mg nicotine. The cartridge is inserted into the mouthpiece prior to use. Nicotine is a tertiary amine composed of a pyridine and a pyrrolidine ring. It is a colorless to pale yellow, freely water-soluble, strongly alkaline, oily, volatile, hygroscopic liquid obtained from the tobacco plant. Nicotine has a characteristic pungent odor and turns brown on exposure to air or light. Of its two stereoisomers, S(-)nicotine is the more active. It is the prevalent form in tobacco, and is the form in the Nicotrol Inhaler. The free alkaloid is absorbed rapidly through skin, mucous membranes, and the respiratory tract.
Chemical Name: S-3-(1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinyl) pyridine
Molecular Formula: C10H14N2
Molecular Weight: 162.23
Ionization Constants: pKa1 = 7.84, pKa2 = 3.04 at 15°C
Octanol-Water Partition Coefficient: 15:1 at pH 7
Nicotine is the active ingredient; inactive components of the product are menthol and a porous plug which are pharmacologically inactive. Nicotine is released when air is inhaled through the Inhaler.
Nicotrol Inhaler - Clinical Pharmacology
Pharmacologic Action
Nicotine, the chief alkaloid in tobacco products, binds stereo-selectively to nicotinic-cholinergic receptors at the autonomic ganglia, in the adrenal medulla, at neuromuscular junctions, and in the brain. Two types of central nervous system effects are believed to be the basis of nicotine's positively reinforcing properties. A stimulating effect is exerted mainly in the cortex via the locus ceruleus and a reward effect is exerted in the limbic system. At low doses the stimulant effects predominate whil...
