Cocaine-associated thrombocytopenia
Article Abstract:
Four case reports are presented to illustrate the characteristics and consequences of thrombocytopenia (deficiency of platelets, blood cells essential for clotting) associated with cocaine use. The patients' main complaint was of bleeding from the gums; other complaints included a rash, nosebleeds, and bleeding after a skin injury. All had extremely low platelet levels. Results from other laboratory tests are presented. The patients were treated with intravenous gamma globulin (IV GG) and prednisone, and discharged from the hospital. While three patients were lost to follow-up, one patient was followed for several months before again developing thrombocytopenia after cocaine use. This patient was not treated again, but recovered and was then lost to follow-up. Cocaine use and thrombocytopenia were temporally associated in all cases, suggesting that this complication should be considered a consequence of the use of the drug. The mechanisms whereby cocaine causes thrombocytopenia have not been characterized; the effect may be a result of drug contaminants. Another possibility is that cocaine may be implicated in the destruction of platelets by the body's own immune system, a possibility that is supported by certain features of these patients and by their response to IV GG. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1991
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Cocaine-associated asthma
Article Abstract:
The major form of cocaine that is currently used is 'crack', a cocaine alkaloid, which can be smoked and is extremely potent. Pulmonary complications of cocaine use have been identified. The authors report on six patients hospitalized for severe asthma that was triggered by inhaling cocaine. All patients were long-standing asthmatics and ranged from 27 to 38 years old. One patient had three hospital admissions in three months for cocaine-related bronchospasms. Two of the patients snorted cocaine, while four smoked 'crack'. In all patients, the symptoms of wheezing and respiratory distress occurred several hours following cocaine use. Two patients had respiratory failure requiring endotracheal intubation; one additional patient had respiratory failure following hospital admission and required mechanical ventilation. Patients were treated with steroid medication and bronchodilators, which is the usual asthma treatment. All of these six patients recovered. It is suggested that asthmatic patients be told that the use of cocaine may trigger episodes of bronchospasm. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0002-9343
Year: 1990
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