Noreen Khan-Mayberry
NASA Office of Inspector General, USA
Title: Therapeutic Applications of Nicotine
Biography
Biography: Noreen Khan-Mayberry
Abstract
Nicotine has long been regarded as one of the most toxic chemicals/drugs to human health. However, for centuries, it has also been used therapeutically. Recently, investigations into its use for treating diseases such as ADHD, depression, Alzheimer & Parkinson diseases, digestive disorders, pain management and cognitive enhancement, have been eliciting more attention due to the development of non-prescription therapeutic products. Given that the toxicity of over the counter (OTC) nicotine products for use in cessation of smoking is generally accepted as low-to-none, when used as directed, product developers assume that these same levels are toxicologically safe for non-smoking cessation products. This may be the case, since the bulk of safety assessments for these products (such as electronic cigarettes) only point to risks from mishandling by non-target populations (children, pets, abusers) – not the levels of nicotine. Given the multiple routes of exposure (inhalation, ingestion and dermal absorption) that are already approved for nicotine replacement therapy (NRC) we explore and debate the best way for Toxicologists to assess non-NRC replacement therapeutic products.