BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuCocaine intoxicationIntoxication - cocaine Cocaine is an illegal stimulant drug that affects your central nervous system. Cocaine comes from the coca plant. When used, cocaine causes the brain to release higher than normal amounts of some chemicals. These produce a sense of euphoria, or a "high."Cocaine intoxication is a condition in which you're not only high from using the drug, but you also have body-wide symptoms that can make you ill and impaired.Using the drugCocaine is made from the leaves of the coca plant. Cocaine comes as a white powder, which can be dissolved in water. It is available as a powder or...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Cocaine intoxication may be caused by:Taking too much cocaine, or taking a too-concentrated a form of cocaine Using cocaine when the weather is hot, which leads to more harm and side effects due to dehydration Using cocaine with certain other drugs Symptoms Symptoms of cocaine intoxication include: Feeing high, excited, talking and rambling, sometimes about bad things happening Anxiety, agitation, restlessness, confusion Muscle tremors, such as in the face and fingers Enlarged pupils that don't get smaller when a light shines into the eyes Increased heart rate and blood pressure Lightheadedness Paleness Nausea and vomiting Fever, sweatingWith higher doses or an overdose, more severe symptoms can occur, including:Seizures Loss of awareness of surroundings Loss of urine control High body temperature, severe sweating High blood pressure, very fast heart rate or irregular heart rhythm Bluish color of the skin Fast or difficulty breathing DeathCocaine is often cut (mixed) with other substances. When taken, additional symptoms can occur. Exams and Tests If cocaine intoxication is suspected, the health care provider may order the following tests:Cardiac enzymes (to look for evidence of heart damage or heart attack) Chest x-ray CT scan of the head, if head injury or bleeding is suspected ECG (electrocardiogram, to measure electrical activity in the heart) Toxicology (poison and drug) screening Urinalysis Treatment The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:Breathing support, including oxygen, a tube down the throat, and ventilator (breathing machine) IV fluids (fluids through a vein) Medicines to treat symptoms such as pain, anxiety, agitation, nausea, seizures, and high blood pressure Other medicines or treatments for heart, brain, muscle, and kidney complications Long-term treatment requires drug counseling in combination with medical therapy. Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook depends on the amount of cocaine used and what organs are affected. Permanent damage may occur, which may cause:Seizures, stroke, and paralysis Chronic anxiety and psychosis (severe mental disorders) Decreased mental functioning Heart irregularities and decreased heart function Kidney failure requiring dialysis (kidney machine) Destruction of muscles, which can lead to amputationOpen ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Cocaine. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:492-542.Chary MA, Erickson TB. Cocaine and other sympathomimetics. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 144.AllVideoImagesTogElectrocardiogram (ECG) - illustration An electrocardiogram is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. This includes the rate and regularity of beats as well as the size and position of the chambers, any damage to the heart, and effects of drugs or devices to regulate the heart.Electrocardiogram (ECG)illustrationElectrocardiogram (ECG) - illustration An electrocardiogram is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. This includes the rate and regularity of beats as well as the size and position of the chambers, any damage to the heart, and effects of drugs or devices to regulate the heart.Electrocardiogram (ECG)illustrationRelated Information Toxicology screen(Medical Test)Central nervous system(Special Topic)Cardiovascular(Special Topic)Stroke(Condition)Arrhythmias(Condition)Substance use(Special Topic)Substance use disorder(Condition)Drug use first aid(Injury)Stroke - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 1/2/2023 Reviewed By: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. 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Cocaine intoxicationIntoxication - cocaine Cocaine is an illegal stimulant drug that affects your central nervous system. Cocaine comes from the coca plant. When used, cocaine causes the brain to release higher than normal amounts of some chemicals. These produce a sense of euphoria, or a "high."Cocaine intoxication is a condition in which you're not only high from using the drug, but you also have body-wide symptoms that can make you ill and impaired.Using the drugCocaine is made from the leaves of the coca plant. Cocaine comes as a white powder, which can be dissolved in water. It is available as a powder or...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Causes Cocaine intoxication may be caused by:Taking too much cocaine, or taking a too-concentrated a form of cocaine Using cocaine when the weather is hot, which leads to more harm and side effects due to dehydration Using cocaine with certain other drugs Symptoms Symptoms of cocaine intoxication include: Feeing high, excited, talking and rambling, sometimes about bad things happening Anxiety, agitation, restlessness, confusion Muscle tremors, such as in the face and fingers Enlarged pupils that don't get smaller when a light shines into the eyes Increased heart rate and blood pressure Lightheadedness Paleness Nausea and vomiting Fever, sweatingWith higher doses or an overdose, more severe symptoms can occur, including:Seizures Loss of awareness of surroundings Loss of urine control High body temperature, severe sweating High blood pressure, very fast heart rate or irregular heart rhythm Bluish color of the skin Fast or difficulty breathing DeathCocaine is often cut (mixed) with other substances. When taken, additional symptoms can occur. Exams and Tests If cocaine intoxication is suspected, the health care provider may order the following tests:Cardiac enzymes (to look for evidence of heart damage or heart attack) Chest x-ray CT scan of the head, if head injury or bleeding is suspected ECG (electrocardiogram, to measure electrical activity in the heart) Toxicology (poison and drug) screening Urinalysis Treatment The provider will measure and monitor the person's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The person may receive:Breathing support, including oxygen, a tube down the throat, and ventilator (breathing machine) IV fluids (fluids through a vein) Medicines to treat symptoms such as pain, anxiety, agitation, nausea, seizures, and high blood pressure Other medicines or treatments for heart, brain, muscle, and kidney complications Long-term treatment requires drug counseling in combination with medical therapy. Outlook (Prognosis) The outlook depends on the amount of cocaine used and what organs are affected. Permanent damage may occur, which may cause:Seizures, stroke, and paralysis Chronic anxiety and psychosis (severe mental disorders) Decreased mental functioning Heart irregularities and decreased heart function Kidney failure requiring dialysis (kidney machine) Destruction of muscles, which can lead to amputationOpen ReferencesReferencesAronson JK. Cocaine. In: Aronson JK, ed. Meyler's Side Effects of Drugs. 16th ed. Waltham, MA: Elsevier; 2016:492-542.Chary MA, Erickson TB. Cocaine and other sympathomimetics. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 144.