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Published on: February 18, 2016
Levamisole: a dangerous new cocaine adulterant
A Chang1, J Osterloh, J Thomas
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. aschang@emory.edu or ctn7@cdc.gov
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|July 30, 2010
Summary
Levamisole, a drug once used medically, is now found as an adulterant in street cocaine. Its presence is linked to agranulocytosis, a serious condition, in cocaine users.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Levamisole is increasingly detected as an adulterant in street cocaine.
- Reports link levamisole in cocaine to agranulocytosis in users.
- Agranulocytosis is a known risk of therapeutic levamisole use, leading to its US market withdrawal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the implications of levamisole adulteration in street cocaine.
- To explore the potential reasons for levamisole's inclusion in cocaine.
- To examine the link between levamisole and adverse health effects in users.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent reports on levamisole adulteration.
- Analysis of known pharmacological effects and metabolism of levamisole.
- Examination of potential metabolic pathways and their implications.
Main Results:
- Levamisole is a common adulterant in street cocaine.
- A link exists between levamisole-adulterated cocaine and agranulocytosis.
- Levamisole metabolism to aminorex in horses suggests potential for psychoactive effects, though unconfirmed in humans.
Conclusions:
- The adulteration of cocaine with levamisole poses significant health risks, including agranulocytosis.
- The exact purpose of levamisole adulteration remains unclear.
- Further research is needed to understand levamisole's metabolism in humans and its role in cocaine's effects.
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