If you or a loved one has overdosed on cocaine, treatment for cocaine toxicity is available. Various therapies are available, including counseling, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and contingency management, which reward individuals for staying drug-free. Other forms of treatment include 12-step programs, which are community-based recovery programs. They follow a 12-step process to help individuals overcome their addiction to cocaine. This article will explain some of the most common treatment options.
Effects of enzyme therapy on cocaine toxicity
The effects of enzyme therapy in treating the toxicity caused by a cocain overdose are promising, but the timing of animal studies are often of questionable clinical relevance. Forty percent of patients who present at an emergency department with cocaine toxicity do so more than an hour after the drug was administered. The late presenters are considered late cocaine toxicity patients and treatment with enzymes may not be effective.
The active metabolite of cocaine is BE. BE has several sub-lethal effects on multiple organ systems. The presence of BE increases the sensitivity of the cerebral arteries. Be causes longer-lasting decreases in arterial diameter and can induce seizures. It also has potent inhibitory effects on early embryonic development. While the toxicity of cocaine is well-known, enzymatic decomposition of BE might provide a more environmentally friendly and effective treatment for a cocaine overdose.
Withdrawal symptoms of cocaine overdose
There are several signs of a cocaine overdose and it is important to get help right away. Call 911 if you think you or a loved one may have overdosed on cocaine. If vomiting is present, turn the person on their side and apply a cold compress to help clear the airways. Keep the individual calm, clean and away from sharp objects. If you suspect an overdose, it is crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible.
There are several treatments for cocaine addiction. Typically, treatment includes psychotherapy and holistic therapies. Therapy may involve learning healthy coping mechanisms, eating a healthy diet, and participating in 12-step programs. Inpatient care is typically the next step, but outpatient rehab is an alternative if you can’t get inpatient care right away. The crash phase lasts for a day or two and the withdrawal symptoms last anywhere from two to four weeks. A 12-step program involves spending eight hours a day, five days a week, with an addiction counselor.
CT scan
A CT scan for cocaine overdose treatment is an important part of medical care. This test allows doctors to look for damage to the brain and heart. During a cocaine overdose, the most vulnerable parts of the body are the heart, lungs and brain. For this reason, doctors may order a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram and CT scan to determine the extent of damage. Patients may be placed on a respirator to help them breathe again. These procedures may require a few hours to several days of hospitalization.
The symptoms of cocaine overdose may mimic those of other sympathomimetic drugs, thyrotoxicosis, and acute psychosis. Occasionally, patients may exhibit signs of mania or other conditions that may be unrelated to cocaine. In addition, the effects of other drugs, such as alcohol, sedatives, and anticholinergics, may mimic those of cocaine. Often, a CT scan will confirm the presence of cocaine.
EKG
Patients presenting with chest pain after cocaine toxicity should be evaluated immediately for potential myocardial ischemia. Nitroglycerin and benzodiazepines are first-line agents and b-blocking agents should be avoided. A small number of patients with chest pain who have had cocaine use may be at risk of developing myocardial infarction. Fortunately, this type of event is rare, and patients can safely be discharged home after a nine-to-12-hour observation period.
Symptomatic patients with chest pain associated with cocaine overdose should undergo an EKG. In approximately sixteen percent of cases, ECGs may be normal. In a majority of cases, however, they are abnormal in 56 to 84% of patients. While some of these abnormalities may be due to early repolarization, others may be a result of ST elevations or J points. If the patient continues to have neurological symptoms or is unconscious after receiving cocaine, he or she should be referred to a neurology unit.
Catalytic antibody
The first catalytic antibodies were developed to degrade cocaine. These antibodies were generated from phosphonate monoesters and were elicited by an immunogenic conjugate and a phosphonate monoester transition-state analog. These first artificial cocaine esterases had rate augmentation characteristics related to the stabilization of the transition-state versus the ground-state. The discovery of a catalytic antibody is important for future applications in the field.
For the production of monoclonal antibodies, Balb/C mice were immunized with the various analogs, each conjugated to BSA. High-titer antisera were prepared according to standard procedures. Selective hybridomas secreting analog-specific IgG antibodies were selected. Antibodies were purified via protein A affinity column chromatography. Antibodies were then tested for their ability to release 3H-benzoic acid from 3H-phenyl-cocaine.