Gastrointestinal manifestations of cocaine addiction

Cocaine is one of the illicit hallucinogenic drugs which can be conveniently taken without resorting to parenteral administration. Almost all organs systems in the body are affected by its abuse. Complications involving the nervous, cardiovascular and reproduction systems have recently been published. In this report, complications relating to gastrointestinal system are reviewed. Acute ischemic syndromes are the most prominent gastrointestinal complication of cocaine use. Severe ischemia results from intense activation of alpha-adrenergic receptors in the mesentery. This ischemia results in gastropyloric ulcerations, gangrene and perforation of small as well as large intestine and colitis. Sudden collapse and deaths have been reported in "body packers" who swallow cocaine filled condoms in an effort to smuggle the drug through the customs. Several cases of acute hepatotoxicity and hepatocellular necrosis from cocaine use have also been reported.