Convulsion cocaine

Rockhold R., Oden G., Ho I., Andrew M., Farley J. Glutamate receptor antagonists block cocaine-induced convulsions and death. Brain Res. Bull. 27 721, 1991. 

Systemic effects of methamphetamine are similar to those of cocaine. Inhalation or IV injection results in an intense rush that lasts a few minutes. Methamphetamine has a longer duration of effect than cocaine. Pharmacologic effects include increased wakefulness, increased physical activity, decreased appetite, increased respiration, hyperthermia, euphoria, irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, anxiety, paranoia, aggressiveness, convulsions, increased heart rate and blood pressure, stroke, and death. 

Other effects caused by methamphetamine include headaches, decreased appetite, dry mouth, dilated pupils, trembling, chest pains, increased respiration and shortness of breath, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), insomnia, and nausea and vomiting. In more severe cases (i.e., overdoses) it can produce seizures and convulsions, stroke, heart attacks, and death. The risk of encountering these more serious side effects are greatly increased when methamphetamine is used in combination with other drugs like cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, and heroin. 

Physical effects of high doses of ketamine include decreased respiration and heart rate, increased blood pressure, and the possibility of vomiting and convulsions. These can lead to cardiac and respiratory arrest, coma, and death. The risk of ketamine overdose is much greater when it is mixed with other drugs such as alcohol, Ecstasy, caffeine, or cocaine. Overdoses of ketamine have been reported when people boost the drug (take another dose before the first dose wears off) to prolong its psychedelic effects. 

Cocaine is readily absorbed from mucous membranes, so the potential for systemic toxicity is great. The CNS is stimulated, and euphoria and cortical stimulation (e.g., restlessness, excitement) frequently result. Overdosage leads to convulsions followed by CNS depression. The cortical stimulation it produces is responsible for the drug s abuse (see Chapter 35). 

Action on CNS Local anaesthetics stimulate CNS and produce restlessness, tremor, mental confusion, convulsion. In toxic doses, it causes respiratory depression, coma and death. Cocaine is a powerful stimulant while procaine and other agents produce less CNS stimulant effect. 

Cocaine Same as above also has sympathomimetic effects Same as above Procedures requiring high surface activity and vasoconstriction Topical or parenteral duration 1-2 h Toxicity CNS excitation, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, stroke... 

Cocaine, which blocks the uptake of catecholamines, produces dose-dependent effects, initially causing euphoria, vasoconstriction, and tachycardia, and in toxic doses, convulsions, myocardial depression, ventricular fibrillation, medullary depression, and death. Cocaine is able to block nerve conduction and currently is used only for topical anesthesia. 

Cocaine produces hyperpyrexia in mammals, due to increased heat production, by the motor excitement and rise of basal metabolic rate, reinforced by the convulsions. It probably acts directly on the midbrain temperature centers. Cocaine lowers the temperature of birds. Procaine lowers the temperature of mammals by increasing heat loss. It is antagonized by thyroxin and by dinitrophenol. 

The treatment of poisoning by local anesthetics should begin with prevention and the selection, dosage, and technique of the administration gross errors and carelessness have caused many deaths. The previous administration of a sedative, especially of the barbituric series, diminishes the risk by suppressing the convulsions and their interference with respiration, so that animals survive one and a half to four times the ordinary fatal dose of cocaine or procaine if administered hypodermically. 

O Dell. L. E., M. J. Kreifeldt, F. R. George, and M. C. Ritz. The Role of Serotonin(2) Receptors in Mediating Cocaine-Induced Convulsions. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior 65, no. 

Central nervous system toxicity is rarely observed with catecholamines or drugs such as phenylephrine. In moderate doses, amphetamines commonly cause restlessness, tremor, insomnia, and anxiety in high doses, a paranoid state may be induced. Cocaine may precipitate convulsions, cerebral hemorrhage, arrhythmias, or myocardial infarction. Therapy is discussed in Chapter 59 Management of the Poisoned Patient. 

Cocaine is a CNS stimulant that affects blood vessels and pupils, and increases body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. The euphoric effects of cocaine are quick and include reduced fatigue and mental clarity, as well as hyperstimulation. Research reports that the faster the absorption, the shorter the duration of action. The effects of cocaine in humans are variable (e.g., feeling of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety). Cocaine has powerful neuropsychological-reinforcing properties that are responsible for its repeated compulsive use. In some cases, the first dose may prove fatal. Cocaine-related death may be due to cardiac arrest or convulsion followed by respiratory arrest. In drug abuse, people mix cocaine with alcohol, leading to a chemical complex called cocaethylene, which intensifies the euphoria but can culminate in death. 

Therapeutic uses Factors that limit the therapeutic usefulness of amphetamine include psychological and physiological dependence similar to those with cocaine, and the development of tolerance to the euphoric and anorectic effects with chronic use. [Note Less tolerance to the toxic CNS effects (for example, convulsions) develops.]... 

Cocaine has a spectrum of pharmacological effects. It initially causes excitement and euphoria later, with higher doses, lower centers become involved, producing reduced coordination, tremors, hyper-reflexia, increased respiratory rate, and at times nausea, vomiting, and convulsions. These symptoms are eventually followed by CNS depression. 

Poisoning can occur with doses of cocaine as low as 20 mg (10 drops of cocaine 4%). Victims generally collapse and die after associated cardiovascular abnormalities, dysrhythmias, and respiratory failure. Signs and symptoms of intoxication include excitement, restlessness, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, convulsions, and delirium. 

The most striking effect of systemic absorption of cocaine is central nervous system stimulation. Signs and symptoms can include excitement, restlessness, rapid and irregular pulse, dilated pupils, headache, gastrointestinal upset, delirium, and convulsions. Death usually results from respiratory feilure. Moderate doses of cocaine can also raise body temperature. Systemic absorption through mucous membranes is rapid and has been compared in speed with that of intravenous administration. 

Systemically it is a stimulant to all parts of the central nervous system including the brain, the spinal cord, and the medulla. Its effects upon the brain are shown by an exaltation of the intellectual faculties similar to that which is produced by caffeine. In overdose it produces a delirium somewhat suggesting that of atropine, to which it is chemically related Its action upon the spinal cord is shown by increased activity of the reflexes but the convulsions which are seen in cocaine poisoning both in the lower animals and in man seem to be due to an action upon... 

The other group of cocaine poisonings is characterized by delirium, increased reflexes, more or less violent convulsions, the pulse usually being rapid and fairly strong but later may become weak, and syncope and cyanosis may intervene. The delirium is frequently associated with hallucinations and at times the patient may develop a violent mania of even homicidal character, as in a case reported by Mattison. In fatal cases death is usually due to respiratory failure although the circulation is also depressed. 

Finally, cocaine damages you psychologically as well as physically. It can trigger depression, anxiety, sleep problems, or irritability. It can lead to paranoia or even convulsions. You may begin to hallucinate and gradually slip away from reality into a nightmare world. 

Complications of cocaine use frequently involve cardiovascular events. At higher doses it increases heart rate because of an overall systemic increase in sympathetic tone. At toxic doses, cocaine causes cardiac failure due to a direct effect on myocardial contractility. Cocaine is also pyrogenic, and hyperthermia is observed frequently in cocaine poisoning. Death is usually related to arrhythmias, shock, or convulsions. 

Cocaine is similar to Amphetamines in many ways. Tolerance (the necessity to take more and more to achieve the same effect) develops easily and high doses can cau a toxic paranoid psychosis. An overdose of cocaine may cause convulsions and death. 

Toxicity 1. Excess NE cardiac arrhythmias, generalized ischemia with possible MI and strokes acute renal and hepatic failures 2. Excess DA major psychosis, cocaine delirium 3. Excess 5HT possible serotonin syndrome 4. All of the above convulsion, hyperpyrexia, and death... 

Carbamazepine (brand name Tegretol) Originally developed as an anticonvulsant medication. It is used along with other medications such as valproic acid (Depakote or Depakene) to treat individuals suffering from some type of mood disorder (acute mania and bipolar disorders). It is thought to retard the electrochemical process in the nervous system that can set off either convulsions or manic episodes. Also used to treat alcohol withdrawal, cocaine addiction, and emotional disorders. 

Cells can also recover from the signal for the fight or flight reaction by taking hormones that they have released back up into themselves. Cocaine interferes with the reuptake of adrenalin by cells in the cortex of the brain, thus intensifying the effects of adrenalin and producing a sense of euphoria and (sometimes) hallucinations. Cocaine use leads to psychological dependency and can cause convulsions, respiratory failure, and death. 

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