title: Cocaine pharmacokinetics in humans.
abstract: Cocaine was given by intravenous administration to human subjects and the concentrations in plasma were measured by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. Many pharmacokinetic parameters were found to have a strong dose dependence over the range 1 - 3 mg/kg. The terminal plasma half-life in minutes is given by the equation t1/2(beta) = 13.5 + 24.5 dose (r = 0.946). The total plasma clearance in liters/kg per h is 2.51--0.67 dose (r = -0.973). From analysis of previously published data the absorption half-life t1/2(ab) is approximately 8 min for gastrointestinal and for nasal inhalation absorption. The bioavailability for nasal inhalation is approximately 60%. While routes of administration for modern recreational use could lead to unexpected drug accumulation in the blood it is not likely to occur from chewing coca leaves.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003042:Cocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D003042:Cocaine