Nicotine toxicity

Background

• Nicotine is an alkaloid. Alkaloids are a group of compounds that are typically produced by plants to discourage animals from eating them.
• Nicotine commonly comes from the tobacco plant
• There are 66 other plants from which nicotine can be obtained.
• These plants are apart of the nightshade family (include eggplant, tomato, potato, green pepper)
• Free-base nicotine is used as an insecticide since it is highly poisonous and reactive with oxygen and other chemicals, destroying cells and tissues.

Delivery Mechanisms

• Inhalation
• Cigarettes (~1.0mg)
• Vaporization
• Nasal spray
• Oral Chew
• Gum
• Lozenges
• Tablets
• Transdermal Patch
• Oral bioavailability is 30-40% because of presystemic metabolism and spontaneous vomiting

Receptor Activity

• There are 2 types of neuronal nicotinic receptors, cns and pns (alpha-bungarotoxin). These are ligand gated ion channels.
• Nicotine binds to these receptors that are located on nerve terminals or on axons on cell bodies, alpha-bungarotoxin, polypeptide that binds irreversibly to nicotinic receptors with a high binding affinity
• Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are made up of alpha and beta subunits that form a pentameric motif
• Different combinations of these subunits have different effects in the body.
• Interferes with the binding of acetylcholine, binds to the receptor which then opens the ion channel releasing sodium into the cell.
• Nicotine’s most important effect is the activation of the reward pathway which is caused by dopamine release.

Clinical Features

Postive	Negative
Anxiolysis	Gastrointestinal Distress
Congnitive Enhancement	Hypothermia
Cerebrovasodilation	Emesis
Neuroprotection	Hypertension
Analgesia	Seizures
Antipscyhotic	Respiratory Distress

Eye Pain

• Nicotine is also an irritant and eye pain is a frequent complaint

Fasciculations

• Due to the neuromuscular nicotinic activation

Hypersalivation

At high doses nicotine will activate muscarinic receptors

Differential Diagnosis

• Anticholinergic Toxicity
• Organophosphate Toxicity
• Sympathomimetic Toxicity
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
• Serotonin Syndrome
• Sepsis

Evaluation

If there are also muscarinic effects then strongly consider an broader treatment for Cholinergic Syndrome

Management

Decontamination

• Providers should wear appropriate PPE during decontamination.
  • Neoprene or nitrile gloves and gown (latex and vinyl are ineffective)
• Dispose of all clothes in biohazard container
• Wash patient with soap and water

Supportive Care

• IVF, O2, Monitor
• Aggressive airway management is of utmost importance.
  • Intubation often needed due to significant respiratory secretions / bronchospasm.
  • Use nondepolarizing agent (Rocuronium or Vecuronium).

Antidotes

• Atropine
  • Competitively blocks muscarinic sites (does nothing for nicotinic-related muscle paralysis)
  • May require massive dosage (hundreds of milligrams)
  • Dosing
    • Adult: Initial bolus of 2-6mg IV; titrate by doubling dose q5-30m until tracheobronchial secretions controlled
      • Once secretions controlled → start IV gtt 0.02-0.08 mg/kg/hr
    • Child: 0.05-0.1mg/kg (at least 0.1mg) IV; repeat bolus q2-30m until tracheobronchial secretions controlled
      • Once secretions controlled → start IV gtt 0.025 mg/kg/hr
• Pralidoxime
  • AKA 2-PAM
  • For Organophosphate poisoning only - reactivates AChE by removing phosphate group → oxime-OP complex then excreted by kidneys.
    • This must be done before "aging" occurs - conformational change that makes OP bond to AChE irreversible.
  • Dosing
    • Adult: 1-2gm IV over 15-30min; repeat in 1 hour if needed or 50 mg/hr infusion.
    • Child: 20-40mg/kg IV over 20min; repeat in 1 hour if needed or 10-20 mg/kg/hr infusion.

Disposition

• Depending on severity of symptoms patients can be admitted for continued aggressive supportive care or discharged if symptoms all resolve in the ED

See Also

Electronic cigarettes

References

Authors

Daniel Ostermayer, Ben Isakson, Michael Holtz, Ross Donaldson, Neil Young