Treatment
A person with cocaine intoxication is most always admitted to a hospital, often on a heart-monitoring unit.
The cornerstone of therapy is adequate sedation and monitoring of vital signs.
The patient with high blood pressure and rapid heart beat (tachycardia) will often respond to treatment with benzodiazepines, a class of medications that includes diazepam and lorazepam.
Seizures may also be treated with benzodiazepines.
Chest pain and high blood pressure is treated as appropriate.
Long-term treatment will require drug counseling in combination with medical therapy.
Cocaine intoxication : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Cocaine intoxication : Treatment
Review Date : 6/7/2008
Reviewed By : David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
