LAUSR

Eutectic mixtures can be formed by adding drugs other than nicotine (DOTNs) to nicotine-based e-liquids in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Thus, the interaction between nicotine e-liquids and DOTNs must be evaluated. Presented is the change in e-cigarette aerosolization of nicotine and methadone alone versus a 1:1 nicotine: methadone mixture to evaluate the possible formation of a eutectic mixture that can result in an increase of drug delivery. E-liquids were prepared in-house using 1:1 propylene glycol (PG):vegetable glycerin (VG) as a base plus nicotine, methadone hydrochloride, or 1:1 nicotine: methadone hydrochloride. The e-liquids were aerosolized via an automated vaping machine using parameters adopted from the Cooperation Centre for Scientific Research Relative to Tobacco (CORESTA) E-cigarette Task Force method. Drug recovery was determined by capturing the aerosol from 15 puffs generated by the e-cigarette. Concentrations of nicotine and methadone aerosolized were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using nicotine (n=3), methadone (n=3), and combined nicotine/methadone e-liquids (n=3), each prepared in-house at 12 mg/mL. The concentration of nicotine and methadone in 15 puffs of the single drug e-liquids were determined to be 1.60±0.20 mg and 2.67±0.12 mg, respectively. The concentration of nicotine and methadone in 15 puffs of the multi-drug e-liquid were determined to be 3.66±0.49 mg and 3.65±0.10 mg, respectively. The single nicotine and methadone e-liquids had recoveries of 70±0.1% and 84±0.1%, respectively. In the 1:1 mixture, the recovery of both drugs increased. The development of a eutectic mixture can promote aerosolization of the drug and deliver a greater dose to the user.