Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco
-
Review
Nicotine concentrations with concurrent use of cigarettes and nicotine replacement: a review.
This paper reviews the data on blood nicotine or saliva cotinine concentrations with concomitant smoking and use of nicotine replacement (NR) products. Eleven studies that provided data on blood nicotine concentrations, carbon monoxide in exhaled air, and number of cigarettes smoked were reviewed. At least one day had to be spent on concurrent use of cigarette and NR products. ⋯ Where smokers had the intention or received instructions to reduce smoking, a greater reduction in cigarettes smoked and exhaled CO was observed. Despite substantially increased nicotine concentrations (e.g., up to 3 times the approved dose) there were no significant adverse reactions. Concurrent use of NR products and cigarette smoking appears to be safe.