Cocaine abuse
About Cocaine abuse
Cocaine is a commonly abused drug because of its euphoric effects and addictive properties. The drug stimulates the brain and heart and if too much is used serious side effects can occur such as an irregular heart rate (arrhythmia), stroke, seizure and death. Drinking alcohol while taking cocaine can increase the chance of death. There are multiple forms of cocaine and it can be injected into a vein, inhaled through the nose or smoked.Symptoms
Agitation, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, weakness, slurred speech, coma, low blood pressure or high blood pressure, fever, seizure.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Additional tests include: blood tests, EKG, and imaging studies to rule out any cardiovascular or central nervous system damage. Work-up is dependent on the presenting symptoms.Common tests: Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), EKG, Troponin.
Conventional treatment summary
Treatment is dependent on the presenting symptoms. The primary goals of treatment are to protect the patient from the stimulant effects of cocaine and to avoid treatment-related sedation. If the patient has a fever, active cooling measures are needed to prevent cardiovascular collapse. Counseling and other treatments may be helpful to break the addiction to cocaine. For more information and help call your local poison center at 1-800-222-1222.Medical specialties
Internal Medicine · Psychiatry · Pediatrics · Family Practice · Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry · Addiction Psychiatry · Addiction Medicine
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Cocaine abuse.