Substance
Nicotine

Pathology
Binding to cholinergic nicotine receptors; toxicity due to sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation followed by ganglionic and neuromuscular blockade.

Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, salivation, diarrhea, hyperpnea, diaphoresis, tachycardia, hypertension, pallor, agitation, tremor, ataxia, confusion, dysrhythmias, hypotension, shock, muscle paralysis, coma, death.

Emergency Measures
Maintenance of airway, breathing, circulation; activated charcoal; thorough washing of exposed skin; therapy for seizures, hypertension, hypotension, and arrhythmias.

Comments
Because most commercial sources of nicotine are not concentrated, a majority of exposures cause mild toxicity and resolve without complications.