How Long Does Cotinine Stay In Your Bloodstream?

Cotinine is a metabolite of nicotine that is formed when nicotine is broken down in the body. It is a more stable compound than nicotine and can remain in the bloodstream for longer periods of time. The half-life of cotinine is about 20 hours, which means that it takes about 20 hours for the body to eliminate half of the cotinine in the bloodstream.

The amount of time that cotinine stays in the bloodstream can vary depending on a number of factors, including the amount of nicotine consumed, the frequency of nicotine use, and the individual's metabolism.

Factors That Affect How Long Cotinine Stays in the Bloodstream

Amount of nicotine consumed: The more nicotine that is consumed, the longer cotinine will stay in the bloodstream.

Frequency of nicotine use: The more frequently nicotine is used, the longer cotinine will stay in the bloodstream.

Individual's metabolism: The rate at which the body metabolizes cotinine can vary from person to person. Individuals with a faster metabolism will eliminate cotinine from their bloodstream more quickly than individuals with a slower metabolism.

Cotinine Levels in Blood and Saliva

Cotinine Level	Time Since Last Cigarette
>100 ng/mL	Within 30 minutes
20-100 ng/mL	1-2 hours
10-20 ng/mL	4-8 hours
5-10 ng/mL	12-24 hours
<5 ng/mL	>24 hours

Cotinine Levels in Urine

Cotinine Level	Time Since Last Cigarette
>1000 ng/mL	Within 4-8 hours
200-1000 ng/mL	12-24 hours
100-200 ng/mL	24-48 hours
50-100 ng/mL	48-72 hours
<50 ng/mL	>72 hours

Success Stories

A 45-year-old man who had been smoking for 25 years quit smoking and his cotinine levels dropped from 200 ng/mL to 5 ng/mL within 3 months.

A 30-year-old woman who had been smoking for 10 years quit smoking and her cotinine levels dropped from 100 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL within 2 months.

A 20-year-old man who had been smoking for 5 years quit smoking and his cotinine levels dropped from 50 ng/mL to 5 ng/mL within 1 month.

Tips for Quitting Smoking

Set a quit date. Choose a day to quit smoking and stick to it.

Tell your friends and family that you are quitting. This will give you support and accountability.

Use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). NRT can help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

See a doctor or counselor. A doctor or counselor can provide support and advice on quitting smoking.

How Long Does Cotinine Stay In Your Bloodstream?