nicotine drug pathway 2010-01-18T03:34:19Z PW:0000721 The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics pathway of nicotine, an alkaloid found in tobacco and other plants. It is an agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and exerts stimulatory roles. It is also responsible for tobacco dependence. Prolonged exposure and high levels of nicotine can have toxic effects. Genetic variations can result in changes in drug availability and can cause differences in the response of the organism to the drug. pathway vpetri nervous system drug pathway