Cocaine
Cocaine is a Schedule II drug in the United States. It is made from the extract of the coca plant. The chemical formula of cocaine is C17H21NO4[1][2][3].
Consumption and effects
Cocaine is usually consumed as a white powder that is insufflated (snorted) or injected directly into the blood stream, though it can be consumed orally or smoked. The effects on individuals vary and include:
- feelings of euphoria
- increased sexual desire
- loss of appetite[4]
- paranoia, delusion, and violent behavior[5]
- nausea and headaches[5]
- kidney failure[6]
- high blood pressure
- increased heart rate, irregular heart beat, and increased risk of heart attack[7]
- respiratory failure
- severe vomiting or diarrhoea
In addition some people who are very sensitive to the drug (and will not realise it), may die after a single dose.[4] Cocaine abuse during pregnancy has many ill effects. It can cause considerable damage to the organs of the developing foetus, and lead to birth defects, premature detachment of the placenta, premature births, low birthweight babies, nutrition deficiencies, and babies born already addicted to the drug.[4][8][9].
References
- ↑ http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/summary/summary.cgi?sid=14717642
- ↑ http://dict.die.net/c17h21no4/
- ↑ http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cgi-bin/getcase.pl?court=7th&navby=case&no=951747
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 BBC News | Health | Drugs # Cocaine
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Cocaine - Brown University Health and Education
- ↑ Cocaine use and kidney damage -- van der Woude 15 (3): 299 -- Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
- ↑ eMJA: Cocaine use and cardiovascular complications
- ↑ Cocaine Abuse During Pregnancy
- ↑ Drug Policy Alliance: Cocaine & Pregnancy