Cocaine: history, social implications, and toxicity: a review.
The amount of positive cocaine results in an urban emergency department are staggering. The ages of use are becoming more common in older age groups. Most of these patients have underlying medical conditions, including end-stage renal disease (on hemodialysis) and heart and lung disease. Most of their visits to the emergency department are for cocaine exacerbation of underlying chronic condition, adding exponentially to health care dollars. This article describes the history and pharmacology of illicit cocaine use.
Goldstein
Rachel A
RA
Holy Cross Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, USA. rgolds739@hotmail.com
DesLauriers
Carol
C
Burda
Anthony
A
Johnson-Arbor
Kelly
K
D003042:Cocaine / Q000266:history* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000266:history*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D049668:History, 15th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000266:history* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D012922:Social Change / Q000266:history*; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000266:history* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity
D013287:Illicit Drugs; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D003042:Cocaine