Nicotine itself typically clears from the body within 1 to 3 days after the last use. However, its main metabolite, cotinine, stays in the body much longer and can be detected in blood and saliva for up to 10 days, in urine for up to three weeks or longer in heavy users, and in hair for up to 1 to 3 months or more depending on exposure and individual metabolism.
Detection Times of Nicotine and Cotinine in the Body:
- Blood: Nicotine detectable for 1 to 3 days; cotinine up to 10 days.
- Urine: Nicotine detectable for up to 3 days; cotinine up to 3 weeks or longer in heavy users.
- Saliva: Nicotine detectable for up to 4 days.
- Hair: Nicotine and cotinine can be detected for 1 to 3 months or longer.
- Breath: Nicotine detectable for up to 24 hours.
Factors Influencing Clearance:
- Frequency and amount of nicotine use (heavier and chronic users have longer detection times).
- Individual metabolism and hydration levels.
- Method of nicotine consumption (smoking, vaping, chewing, patches).
- Biological factors such as age, sex, and genetic metabolism rates.
Nicotine is metabolized quickly in the liver to cotinine, which is more stable and remains detectable much longer, making cotinine the preferred marker for nicotine detection in drug tests. In summary, while nicotine leaves the body fairly quickly (mostly within 1 to 3 days), cotinine may remain for up to several weeks, especially in heavy or frequent users.
