Substance
Cocaine

Pathology
CNS stimulation and inhibition of neuronal uptake of catecholamines, depressed conduction, and myocardial contractility.

Symptoms
Anxiety, agitation, delirium, hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, tremor, mydriasis, flushing, seizures, ECG abnormalities, stroke, areflexia, coma, death.

Emergency Measures
Airway maintenance and ventilatory assistance, cardiac monitoring, activated charcoal for ingestion, benzodiazepines, cooling measures.

Comments
Overdose can result from inhalation, injection, or absorption of the drug from the gastrointestinal tract (“body packing”).