TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1992//
TI  - Benzocaine-adultered street cocaine in association with methemoglobinemia
JO  - Clinical chemistry
A1  - McKinney, C. D.
A1  - Postiglione, K. F.
A1  - Herold, D. A.
SP  - 596
EP  - 597
VL  - 38
IS  - 4
N2  - A 27-year-old man with a history of cocaine abuse ingested a large quantity of street cocaine in an apparent suicide attempt. Shortly thereafter, he developed tonic-clonic seizures and became cyanotic. An arterial blood gas sample, collected in the emergency department, appeared chocolate-brown and showed pO2 279 mmHg, pCO2 53 mmHg, and pH 7.15. Hemoglobin spectral analysis revealed significant methemoglobinemia (37%). Subsequent gas-chromatographic and mass-spectral analysis of urine confirmed the presence of cocaine (106 mg/L), benzoylecgonine (94 mg/L), and other metabolites. Further testing revealed the presence of benzocaine, a compound known to produce methemoglobinemia. A powder submitted as the "cutting" substance was shown to be benzocaine. When confronted with a possible cocaine overdose (particularly by ingestion), the physician should consider the possible clinical effects of adulterants, especially local anesthetics such as benzocaine.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0009-9147
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -