Exam 3 Flashcards
(137 cards)
What class of drugs is cocaine known as?
Psychostimulant
Where does cocaine come from?
from the erythroxylan coca plant (their leaves contain cocaine)
Is cocaine synthesized or naturally occurring?
It is a naturally occurring drug
Who previously used cocaine?
The Native Americans used to chew the leaves from the coca plant in order to stay awake during battle.
What was cocaine mainly known for in the 1860’s?
during this time, it was used for medical purposes because they found it to be a local anesthetic
What did Sigmund Freud initially think of cocaine? What changed?
Freud used it as a treatment for heroin addiction, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome
What is the Harrison Narcotic Act?
In 1914, this act was passed and it banned the use of cocaine in products
What is cocaine scheduled to be?
Schedule 2
Are the coca leaves highly concentrated with cocaine?
No, only about 15 of the leaf is cocaine
How is cocaine turned into a paste?
the coca leaves ca be soaked in water and mashed up to create a paste
How is cocaine paste turned into cocaine powder?
It is treated with Hydrochloric acid and it creates a salt like powder
What is pure cocaine HCl?
It is the cocaine powder that is not mixed with anything
What is the “normal” cocaine? The one that people typically snort
It is usually the cocaine that is cut with other substances such as talcum, baking soda, vitamins and even levamisole
What is levamisole?
It is a deworming agent given to dogs and cats that can be cut with cocaine HCl
What illness can levamisole cause?
Agranulocytosis which is a decrease in white blood cells (affects immune system)
What are the risks associated with injecting cocaine into the bloodstream?
It can lead to blood clots which lead to heart attack or stroke
What is free base cocaine?
It is Hydorchloric cocaine free from the ionic salt. Instead, ammonia or ether is used and it is extremely potent and dangerous
What is crack cocaine?
When HCl is mixed with baking soda so that it can bind to each other instead of cocaine.
What is a speed ball?
cocaine and heroin
What is a frisco speed ball?
The mixing of cocaine, heroin, and LSD
How is cocaine absorbed
- Snorted
- Injected
- Oral (uncommon)
- Smoked (crack only)
Is snorting cocaine an efficient way or absorbing the drug?
No because only about 20-30% of it is absorbed.
How is cocaine injected?
It is injected by mixing with water
What is meant by cocaine being a vasoconstrictor?
It means that it shrinks our blood vessels