Cocaine Poisoning

Basics

Description

  • Sympathomimetic
  • Inhibits neurotransmitter reuptake at the nerve terminal
  • Metabolism:
    • Hepatic degradation
    • Nonenzymatic hydrolysis
    • Cholinesterase metabolism

Etiology

  • IV, nasal, oral administration of cocaine
  • Oral ingestion:
    • Body stuffers:
      • Ingest hastily wrapped packets in attempt to evade police
    • Body packers:
      • Ingest cocaine packets to smuggle the drug using couriers’ oral, rectal, and vaginal cavities
      • Cocaine is wrapped carefully in packets containing large amounts of drug

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