| Title | Cocaine liberation from body packets in an in vitro model. | | Author(s) | Aks SE, Vander Hoek TL, Hryhorczuk DO, Negrusz A, Tebbett I | | Institution | Department of Occupational Medicine, Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois 60612. | | Source | Ann Emerg Med 1992 Nov; 21(11):1321-5. | | MeSH | Aluminum Hydroxide
Antacids
Cellophane
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
Cocaine
Condoms
Digestive System
Drug Combinations
Electrolytes
Foreign Bodies
Gastric Juice
Humans
Magnesium Hydroxide
Paper
Polyethylene Glycols
| | Abstract | STUDY OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively assess cocaine liberation from various body packet materials.
DESIGN: 100-milligram cocaine packets (plastic bags with various wrapping techniques, paper, and condoms) were placed in a simulated gastric medium. Samples were also tested in an alkalinized gastric medium, with determination of both cocaine and benzoylecogonine concentrations using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection.
RESULTS: Cocaine liberation was greatest in acid medium, with increasing liberation from condom packets to cellophane bags (three wrapping techniques used) to paper packets. The same trend was noted in alkaline medium but with a far lower maximum cocaine concentration accompanied by rapid hydrolysis to its inactive metabolite, benzoylecgonine.
CONCLUSION: Cocaine liberation of a known quantity of drug is dependent on the wrapping method and material used; thus, a good history from the "body-stuffer" is essential to predict potential cocaine liberation and toxicity. Rapid hydrolysis of cocaine to its inactive metabolite in an alkaline medium implies a role for gastric alkalinization in the acute management of these patients. | | Language | eng | | Pub Type(s) | In Vitro
Journal Article
| | PubMed ID | 1416326 |
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