In experimental animals, the dose of nicotine that is lethal to 50% of animals varies widely, depending on the route of administration and the species tested.
Intravenous doses of nicotine in mice range between 0.3 and 1.8 mg/kg body wt.
The intraperitoneal lethal values for nicotine bitartrate in mice and rats have been found to be 13 and 83 mg/kg body wt, respectively, whereas the values for five inbred hamster strains varied between 125 to 320 mg/kg body wt. The lethal oral dose of nicotine in adult humans has been estimated to be 40–60 mg .
Lethal doses of nicotine cause peripheral curare-like paralysis of the respiratory muscles. Extremely high doses of nicotine can cause transient stimulation fol1owed by depression and paralysis of the central nervous system.
Such doses also affect peripheral autonomic nervous system ganglia and nerve endings on skeletal muscles.
Death usually occurs within a short period and is most often due to paralysis of respiratory muscles. Excessive doses of nicotine may also produce tremors followed by convulsions.
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