title: Nicotine and Cotinine Levels With Electronic Cigarette: A Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since their introduction in 2004, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained popularity worldwide. E-cigarettes are marketed as nicotine delivery devices. Commonly reported reasons for use include to quit smoking, to reduce urge to smoke, or the perceived lower risk alternative to smoking. But what are the actual amounts of nicotine delivered?
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review summarizes all the published studies concerning nicotine or cotinine levels following e-cigarette use.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted from the PubMed database, from 1985 to January 2014, using the following terms: electronic cigarette(s), e-cigarette(s), electronic nicotine delivery system, cotinine, and nicotine. Articles were excluded if they were not pertinent according to our criteria. References of all relevant articles were also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight studies were included in this review. The following information was extracted from the articles: population size, age of participants, recruitment, inclusion and exclusion criteria, concentration of nicotine in refills liquids, study sample design, and observed concentrations. Following design of studies, plasma nicotine Cmax was observed between 0 and 5 ng/mL (no significant changes) or between 13.9 and 16.3 ng/mL (similar to a tobacco cigarette) with a Tmax between 70 and 75 minutes. Cotinine levels after "vaping" an e-cigarette are similar to a tobacco cigarette.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review summarizes e-cigarette studies that contain information on nicotine or cotinine levels. The peak concentration of nicotine appears to be dependent on the use and dose level of e-cigarette cartridge. The value of this peak concentration is similar to the value found with a tobacco cigarette. However, the time corresponding to the peak concentration is delayed compared to a tobacco cigarette.
authors.affiliation: Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, Hôpital Timone, APHM, Aix Marseille Université, France amelie.marsot@ap-hm.fr.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marsot
authors.affiliation: Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, Hôpital Timone, APHM, Aix Marseille Université, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Simon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003367:Cotinine / Q000633:toxicity*; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000633:toxicity*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine; D003367:Cotinine
keywords: cotinine; e-cigarette; nicotine; pharmacokinetics