Generic name: cocaine (koe-KANE)
Drug class: Topical anesthetics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 19, 2024.

Uses for cocaine

Cocaine is a local anesthetic. It is applied to certain areas of the body (for example, the nose, mouth, or throat) to cause loss of feeling or numbness. This allows certain kinds of procedures or surgery to be done without causing pain.

Cocaine can cause psychological dependence (a strong desire to continue using the medicine because of the "high" feeling it produces). This may lead to cocaine abuse (more frequent use and/or use of larger amounts of cocaine) and to an increased chance of serious side effects. Cocaine abuse has caused death from heart or breathing failure.

Use of cocaine as a local anesthetic for an examination or surgery is not likely to cause psychological dependence or other serious side effects. However, if cocaine is absorbed into the body too quickly, serious side effects can occur. Also, some people are especially sensitive to the effects of cocaine. Unwanted effects may occur in these people even with small amounts of the medicine. Before receiving cocaine as a local anesthetic, you should discuss its use with your doctor.

Cocaine is applied only by or under the immediate supervision of your doctor.

Before using cocaine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Cocaine can cause serious side effects in any patient. Therefore, it is especially important that you discuss with the child's doctor the good that this medicine may do as well as the risks of using it.

Geriatric

Side effects, including dizziness, lightheadedness, or fast or irregular heartbeats, may be more likely to occur in elderly patients. The elderly are usually more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of cocaine.

Breast Feeding

Studies in women breastfeeding have demonstrated harmful infant effects. An alternative to this medication should be prescribed or you should stop breastfeeding while using this medicine.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Dihydroergotamine
• Phenelzine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Alfentanil
• Almotriptan
• Amifampridine
• Amitriptyline
• Amoxapine
• Amphetamine
• Benzhydrocodone
• Benzphetamine
• Bupivacaine
• Bupivacaine Liposome
• Buprenorphine
• Bupropion
• Butorphanol
• Citalopram
• Codeine
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dextroamphetamine
• Dextromethorphan
• Dihydrocodeine
• Dolasetron
• Donepezil
• Duloxetine
• Escitalopram
• Fenfluramine
• Fentanyl
• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Gepirone
• Granisetron
• Hyaluronidase
• Hydrocodone
• Hydromorphone
• Hydroxyamphetamine
• Hydroxytryptophan
• Iobenguane I 123
• Iobenguane I 131
• Lasmiditan
• Levomilnacipran
• Levorphanol
• Lisdexamfetamine
• Lithium
• Lorcaserin
• Meperidine
• Metaxalone
• Methadone
• Methamphetamine
• Methylene Blue
• Milnacipran
• Mirtazapine
• Morphine
• Morphine Sulfate Liposome
• Nalbuphine
• Ondansetron
• Oxycodone
• Oxymorphone
• Palonosetron
• Paroxetine
• Pentazocine
• Remifentanil
• Sertraline
• St John's Wort
• Sufentanil
• Tapentadol
• Tramadol
• Trazodone
• Vilazodone
• Vortioxetine
• Ziprasidone

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Cannabis

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Ethanol

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Cancer or
• Chest pain, or history of, or
• Convulsions (seizures), history of, or
• Fast or irregular heartbeat or
• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• High blood pressure or
• Liver disease or
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack), history of, or
• Overactive thyroid—The chance of serious side effects may be increased.

• Tourette's syndrome—May make this condition worse.

Proper use of cocaine

Your doctor or nurse will apply the smallest amount of medicine that will produce the needed effect before the procedure.

Related/similar drugs

lidocaine ophthalmic, bupivacaine, tetracaine topical, ropivacaine

Precautions while using cocaine

Cocaine and some of its metabolites (substances to which cocaine is broken down in the body) will appear in your blood and urine for several days after you receive the medicine. Tests for possible drug use will then be "positive" for cocaine. If you must have such a test within 5 days or so after receiving cocaine, be sure to tell the person in charge that you have recently received cocaine for medical reasons. It may be helpful to have written information from your doctor stating why the medicine was used, the date on which you received it, and the amount you received.

Side Effects of cocaine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common or Rare

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• chills
• confusion
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or any mood or mental changes
• fast or irregular heartbeat
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hallucinations or seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
• headache (sudden)
• increased sweating
• nausea

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Loss of sense of taste or smell (after use in the nose or mouth)

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Anesthetic, Local

Chemical Class: Amino Ester

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer