a Randomised Study to Investigate the Nicotine Pharmacokinetics of Oral Nicotine Pouches and a Combustible Cigarette

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the pharmacokinetics and subjective effects of nicotine pouches (NPs) compared to a combustible cigarette. The study includes five different NP brands and investigates the impact of physical attributes, such as nicotine content, on nicotine delivery and pharmacokinetics. The key points and main message of the text are summarized below.

Key Points:

* The study was a randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial with 35 participants.
* Participants used one study product each day for a defined period following overnight nicotine abstinence.
* Nicotine pharmacokinetics and subjective effects were compared among the commercially available NPs and a combustible cigarette.
* Nicotine maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration-time curve between 0 and 6h (aUC 0--6h) were significantly greater for some NPs than for the cigarette.
* Plasma nicotine concentration was not associated with the nicotine contents of the NPs.
* Time to reach maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) was higher for all NPs than for the cigarette.
* Regarding subjective effects, liking and intent to use product again scores were higher for the cigarette than for any NP.

Main Message:
The study demonstrates that NPs can provide nicotine in amounts sufficient to replicate cigarette smokers' nicotine uptake following a switch from conventional cigarettes to these potentially less harmful NP products. however, further studies are required to ascertain how physical characteristics of NPs other than nicotine content may affect nicotine delivery, pharmacokinetics, and subjective responses. The study highlights the potential of NPs as a less harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes, emphasizing the need for continued research and regulation in this area.

McEwan, M., azzopardi, D., Gale, N., Camacho, O. M., hardie, G., Fearon, I. M., & Murphy, J. (2022). a Randomised Study to Investigate the Nicotine Pharmacokinetics of Oral Nicotine Pouches and a Combustible Cigarette. European Journal of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, 47(2), 211–221. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13318-021-00742-9