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Ethanol and cocaine interactions in humans: cardiovascular consequences
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, John Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Combining intranasal cocaine (COC) and oral ethanol (ETOH) significantly elevates heart rate, especially during demanding tasks. This drug combination amplifies cardiovascular responses beyond individual substance effects.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Cocaine (COC) and ethanol (ETOH) are frequently co-abused substances.
- Understanding their combined cardiovascular effects is crucial for public health and clinical management.
- Previous research has examined individual substance effects, but combined impacts, especially under stress, require further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the combined cardiovascular effects of intranasal cocaine and oral ethanol.
- To assess the impact of these substances, alone and in combination, on heart rate (HR) and blood pressure (BP) during rest and cognitive task performance.
Main Methods:
- Nine healthy volunteers received varying doses of oral ethanol (0-58.1g) followed by intranasal cocaine (4-96mg).
- Cardiovascular indexes (HR and BP) were measured at rest and during a serial acquisition task.
- Blood alcohol levels (BAL) were estimated via breath samples.
Main Results:
- Both cocaine and ethanol individually increased HR by up to 6 bpm without affecting BP.
- The combination of the highest cocaine doses and highest BAL increased HR by 20 bpm at rest.
- During task performance, the highest cocaine dose and BAL combination resulted in a 40 bpm HR increase and minor BP elevation.
Conclusions:
- Combined ethanol and cocaine administration significantly potentiates heart rate increases compared to individual substance effects.
- Cognitive task performance further exacerbates the heart rate response to the cocaine-ethanol combination.
- The study highlights the pronounced cardiovascular strain from co-administering cocaine and ethanol, particularly under conditions of physiological stress.