Cocaine intoxication
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cocaine intoxication | |
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Classification and external resources | |
Cocaine | |
ICD-10 | F14.0 |
ICD-9 | 305.6 |
eMedicine | article/813959 |
MeSH | D019970 |
Cocaine intoxication refers to the immediate effects of cocaine on the body. Although cocaine intoxication and cocaine dependence can be present in the same individual, they present with different sets of symptoms.
With excessive or prolonged use, the drug can cause itching, tachycardia, hallucinations, and paranoid delusions. Overdoses cause tachyarrhythmias and a marked elevation of blood pressure. These can be life-threatening, especially if the user has existing cardiac problems.[citation needed] The LD50 of cocaine when administered intraperitoneally to mice is 95.1 mg/kg.[1] Toxicity results in seizures, followed by respiratory and circulatory depression of medullar origin. This may lead to death from respiratory failure, stroke, cerebral hemorrhage, or heart-failure. Cocaine is also highly pyrogenic, because the stimulation and increased muscular activity cause greater heat production. Heat loss is inhibited by the intense vasoconstriction. Cocaine-induced hyperthermia may cause muscle cell destruction and myoglobinuria resulting in renal failure. Emergency treatment often consists of administering a benzodiazepine sedation agent, such as diazepam (Valium) to decrease the elevated heart rate and blood pressure. Physical cooling (ice, cold blankets, etc...) and paracetamol (acetaminophen) may be used to treat hyperthermia, while specific treatments are then developed for any further complications.[2] There is no officially approved specific antidote for cocaine overdose, and although some drugs such as dexmedetomidine and rimcazole have been found to be useful for treating cocaine overdose in animal studies, no formal human trials have been carried out.[citation needed]
In cases where a patient is unable or unwilling to seek medical attention, cocaine overdoses resulting in mild-moderate tachycardia (i.e.: a resting pulse greater than 120 bpm), may be initially treated with 20 mg of orally administered diazepam or equivalent benzodiazepine (eg: 2 mg lorazepam). Acetaminophen and physical cooling may likewise be used to reduce mild hyperthermia (<39 C). However, a history of high blood pressure or cardiac problems puts the patient at high risk of cardiac arrest or stroke, and requires immediate medical treatment. Similarly, if benzodiazepine sedation fails to reduce heart rate or body temperatures fails to lower, professional intervention is necessary.[3][4][5]
Cocaine's primary acute effect on brain chemistry is to raise the amount of dopamine and serotonin in the nucleus accumbens (the pleasure center in the brain); this effect ceases, due to metabolism of cocaine to inactive compounds and particularly due to the depletion of the transmitter resources (tachyphylaxis). This can be experienced acutely as feelings of depression, as a "crash" after the initial high. Further mechanisms occur in chronic cocaine use. The "crash" is accompanied with muscle spasms throughout the body, also known as the "jitters", muscle weakness, headaches, dizziness, and suicidal thoughts.[citation needed]
Studies have shown that cocaine usage during pregnancy triggers premature labor[6] and may lead to abruptio placentae.[7]
References
- ^ Bedford JA, Turner CE, Elsohly HN (1982). [Expression error: Missing operand for > "Comparative lethality of coca and cocaine"]. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 17 (5): 1087–8. doi: . PMID 7178201.
- ^ "Cocaine Overdose". http://apma-nc.com/PatientEducation/cocaine_overdose.htm.
- ^ "Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose: Specific Drugs and Poisons". http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/534737?rss.
- ^ Hamilton EC, Sims TL, Hamilton TT, Mullican MA, Jones DB, Provost DA (2003). [Expression error: Missing operand for > "Clinical predictors of leak after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity"]. Surg Endosc 17 (5): 679–84. doi: . PMID 12618940.
- ^ "Cocaine Drug Use and Dependence: Merck Manual Professional.". http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec15/ch198/ch198f.html.
- ^ "Cocaine triggers premature labor". USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education). 1993. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_n2581_v122/ai_14236195.
- ^ Flowers D, Clark JF, Westney LS (1991). [Expression error: Missing operand for > "Cocaine intoxication associated with abruptio placentae"]. J Natl Med Assoc 83 (3): 230–2. PMID 2038082.