Method of estimating rate of nicotine metabolism in individuals
AssigneeVia Christi Research, Inc.
InventorW. Dale Horst
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A simple screening method is provided for determining biological variations among individuals in a smoking cessation program so that a therapy regimen can be adjusted appropriately for each individual. The method includes the steps of having an individual intake a predetermined dose of nicotine, taking a saliva sample at a predetermined time subsequent to intake of the dose of nicotine, and measuring the nicotine and cotinine levels in the sample. Thereafter, a ratio is calculated which includes both the nicotine and cotinine levels as an indicator of the rate of nicotine metabolism of the individual being screened.
Claims6
A method of estimating the rate of nicotine metabolism in an individual, the method comprising the steps of:
- having the individual intake a predetermined dose of nicotine;
- having the individual provide a saliva sample at a predetermined time subsequent to intake of the dose of nicotine;
- measuring the nicotine and cotinine levels in the sample;
- calculating a ratio of nicotine to cotinine levels wherein said ratio is calculated by dividing said nicotine level by said cotinine level;
- and
- using one of the ratio and the inverse of the ratio as an indicator of the rate of nicotine metabolism of the individual.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.