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A nicotinic agonist is a drug which enhances the action at the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Examples include:

nicotine (by definition -- the "nicotinic acetylcholine receptor" is named for its affinity for nicotine)
epibatidine
lobeline
varenicline

Comparison
Agonist	Receptor preference^[1]	Mechanism^[1]	Clinical use^[1]
nicotine	Ganglion type α4β2	stimulation	tobacco smoking cessation
lobeline	Ganglion type also affects sensory nerve terminals	stimulation
epibatidine	Ganglion type α4β2 α7	stimulation	none
suxamethonium	Muscle type	depolarization block	muscle relaxant
decamethonium	Muscle type	depolarization block	none
varenicline	α4β2	partial agonist	tobacco smoking cessation ^[2]

External linksEdit

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v·d·e Receptor agonists, antagonists, and reuptake inhibitors
Dopamine receptor	Dopamine agonist • Dopamine antagonist • Dopamine reuptake inhibitor
5-HT (serotonin) receptor	Serotonin receptor agonist • Serotonin antagonist (5-HT₃) • Serotonin uptake inhibitor (SSRI)
Adrenergic receptor	Adrenergic agonist (Alpha, Beta₂) • Adrenergic antagonist (Alpha, Beta) • Adrenergic uptake inhibitor
Acetylcholine receptor	Cholinergic (Muscarinic, Nicotinic) • Anticholinergic (Muscarinic, Nicotinic) • Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor
Histamine receptor	Histamine agonist • Histamine antagonist (H₁, H₂)
GABA receptor	GABA agonist • GABA antagonist
NMDA receptor	NMDA receptor antagonist