Investigating the effects of different forms of nicotine on health

Clinical Pharmacology of Nicotine Enantiomers

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10863889

This study is looking at how two different types of nicotine affect your health, and it's for people who want to help researchers understand how these substances work in the body, which could help shape future rules about nicotine products.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-10863889 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how different forms of nicotine, specifically the enantiomers (S)-nicotine and (R)-nicotine, affect human health. By conducting a clinical pharmacology study, researchers will analyze the metabolic pathways, cardiovascular effects, and potential for abuse of these nicotine forms. Patients may participate in trials that involve the administration of stable isotopes to track how these substances behave in the body. The goal is to provide critical data that could inform FDA regulations on synthetic nicotine products.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for participation include adults who use or are exposed to electronic cigarettes and are interested in understanding the effects of nicotine.

Not a fit: Patients who do not use nicotine products or have contraindications to nicotine exposure may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better regulations and safer nicotine products, ultimately improving public health.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited research on the human pharmacology of nicotine enantiomers, animal studies suggest significant differences in their effects, indicating a novel area of investigation.

Where this research is happening

San Francisco, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.