Blood cocaine and metabolite pharmacokinetics after cardiac arrest in a body-packer case.
BACKGROUND
Cocaine body packing, the internal concealment of cocaine for transportation between countries, may expose to life-threatening intoxications. No data is currently available on the pharmacokinetics of cocaine and its metabolites when a packet rupture occurs in a body packer.


METHODS
We report the first pharmacokinetic data associated with a severe cocaine intoxication in a body packer, resulting in cardiac arrest. Massive concentrations of cocaine (observed maximal concentration: 1.66 mg/L, 1 hour after the cardiac arrest) were measured in plasma up to about 15 hours, suggesting a prolonged absorption due to a slow-release in the gastrointestinal tract despite surgical extraction of the packets. Apparent cocaine elimination half-life was 7.6 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
A prolonged apparent cocaine elimination half-life has been observed. Further pharmacokinetic studies are needed to understand better the pathophysiology of acute cocaine intoxication in body packers.
de Prost
Nicolas
N
Service de pneumologie et réanimation, Hôtel-Dieu, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
Mégarbane
Bruno
B
Questel
Frank
F
Bloch
Vanessa
V
Bertaux
Delphine Cantin
DC
Pourriat
Jean Louis
JL
Rabbat
Antoine
A
D003042:Cocaine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000506:poisoning; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood*; D003415:Crime; D062787:Drug Overdose; D006207:Half-Life; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000506:poisoning
D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; D003042:Cocaine