Nicotine is the primary addictive substance in tobacco products.

It is rapidly metabolized in the body, with cotinine being its major metabolite.

Clinical uses include:

Detecting active smoking or nicotine use.

Assessing exposure to tobacco products.

Monitoring smoking cessation programs.

Supporting clinical trials, occupational health, and insurance assessments.

Nicotine levels in urine reflect recent exposure (within hours), while cotinine is more stable and reflects exposure over several days.

Analyte: Nicotine in urine (ng/mL).

Normal Result: Negative (no nicotine detected).

Abnormal Findings:

Positive nicotine: Indicates recent tobacco or nicotine product use (smoking, vaping, chewing tobacco, nicotine replacement therapy).

Clinical Use:

Provides a direct marker of very recent nicotine exposure.

Often paired with urine cotinine testing for a more reliable measure of tobacco use.

Supports pulmonology, cardiology, preventive medicine, and occupational health evaluations.