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Cocaine intoxication

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Illustrations

Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Electrocardiogram (ECG)

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Intoxication - cocaine

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Cocaine is a powerful central nervous system stimulant with potent cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) side effects. Signs of intoxication typically begin with enlarged pupils, euphoria, agitation, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. With higher doses, symptoms can progress to sweating, tremors, confusion, hyperactivity, seizures, stroke, cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden death.

See also related topics: drug abuse, drug abuse and dependence, drug abuse first aid, and stroke secondary to cocaine.

Update Date: 1/22/2004

Updated by: Cherlin Johnson, M.D., Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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