Search research articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Cocaine adulteration.

Oliver Kudlacek¹, Tina Hofmaier¹, Anton Luf²

¹Medical University Vienna, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacology, Waehringerstrasse 13a, 1090 Vienna, Austria.

Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy

|June 17, 2017

Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Systematic review of clinical evidence for Kneipp medicine.

Wiener klinische Wochenschrift·2026

Same author

Structure-Based Search for Novel Creatine Transporter Inhibitors.

ACS medicinal chemistry letters·2026

Same author

Authoritarian attitudes and the perceived scientific legitimacy of anthroposophic medicine: A survey of attitudes on complementary and alternative medicine in Austria.

PloS one·2026

Same author

Optimizing cognitive enhancement through dopamine transporter modulation.

Neuropharmacology·2026

Same author

Correction to "Next-Generation MDMA Analogue SDMA: Pharmacological and Metabolic Insights".

ACS chemical neuroscience·2026

Same author

Trials and tribulations of responsible people trying to uphold scientific standards.

Research integrity and peer review·2026

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

This summary is machine-generated.

Street cocaine often contains dangerous adulterants, with levamisole being the most common. These undeclared substances pose significant health risks to users unaware of the cutting agents mixed with their drug.

Area of Science:

Forensic Chemistry
Pharmacology
Public Health

Background:

Cocaine is a widely used illicit psychostimulant affecting monoamine transporters.
Increased extracellular monoamines contribute to cocaine's reinforcing effects, addiction, and side effects.
Cocaine is frequently sold impurely in Europe, with dealers adding adulterants to increase profits.

Purpose of the Study:

To review identified adulterants in street cocaine.
To discuss the pharmacological profiles of these adulterants.
To explore reasons for their use as cutting agents.

Main Methods:

Literature review of identified cocaine adulterants.
Analysis of pharmacological profiles of adulterants.
Discussion of adulterant usage trends and motivations.

Keywords:

Adulterant Aminorex Cocaine Levamisole Neurotransmitter transporter

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

Cocaine is increasingly adulterated with various compounds.
Undeclared adulterants pose unknown health risks to consumers.
Levamisole is the most prevalent adulterant, with its metabolite aminorex also discussed.

Conclusions:

Street cocaine adulteration is a significant public health concern.
Understanding adulterant profiles is crucial for harm reduction.
Levamisole and aminorex represent key adulterants with cocaine-like effects.