Cocaine teratogenicity

We are also well aware of the addiction of newborns to heroin if their mothers were took the drug during pregnancy. So-called "cocaine babies" are restlessness, nervous and irritable. Fetal nicotine effects can be seen in low birth weight neonates. We are still not sure about the teratogenicity of heroin and cocaine. The latter can cause abortion and so could very well be teratogenic. 

In Chapter 2 the significance of the placental transfer of drugs from the maternal circulation into the fetus was discussed. At that time, the prototypic teratogen thalidomide was discussed along with several contemporary drugs such as alcohol and cocaine. By the time that thalidomide was finally removed from the market and the medicine cabinets, it had caused severe deformities in approximately 10,000 children in 46 countries. 

Psilocybin, mescaline, and LSD have similar central (via serotonergic systems) and peripheral (sympathomimetic) effects. None of these hallucinogenic drugs have been shown to have teratogenic potential. Contrast this with the established potential for teratogenicity or other fetal toxicity with abuse of ethanol, amphetamines, and cocaine. Unlike most hallucinogens, phencyclidine acts as a positive reinforcer of self-administration in animals. Scopolamine is not a positive reinforcer but does exert atropine-like effects. The answer is (D). 

Precautions An alkoloid (group of nitrogenous organic compounds, mostly used as pain relievers such as cocaine, quinine, caffeine) from tobacco. A deadly human poison. A human teratogen (abnormal fetal development) by swallowing, causes developmental abnormalities of the cardiovascular system. Causes blood pressure effects. Can be absorbed by intact skin. 

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