Suicidal Death by Nicotine Poisoning

Abstract

Nicotine is a natural water-soluble alkaloid obtained from the dried leaves and stems of tobacco plants (Nicotiana tabacum and Nicotiana rustica), with amounts of 0.5%-8% by weight. Because this substance has an addictive potential, leaves or products of tobacco have been sold as snuff, chewing tobacco, cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco. Nicotine is also used for therapeutic purposes, such as, in aiding the relief of withdrawal symptoms after quitting smoking, in gums or patches containing nicotine, or in electronic cigarettes. However, nicotine is also highly toxic. So much so that they are being used as a pesticide. However, in this form it rarely leads to fatalities. Paralysis of the respiratory muscle or cardiovascular collapse is considered as the mechanism of sudden death. Nevertheless, nicotine poisoning cases have been rarely reported for the past 20 years. Here, we present a rare case of nicotine intoxication