Citation

de Prost N, Megarbane B, Questel F, Bloch V, Cantin Bertaux D, Pourriat JL, Rabbat A. Hum. Exp. Toxicol. 2010; 29(1): 49-53.

Affiliation

Service de pneumologie et reanimation, Hotel-Dieu, Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris and Universite Paris Descartes, Paris, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0960327109354940

PMID

19933255

Abstract

Introduction: Cocaine body packing, the internal concealment of cocaine for transportation between countries, may expose to life-threatening intoxications. No data is currently available on the pharmacokinetics of cocaine and its metabolites when a packet rupture occurs in a body packer. Case report: We report the first pharmacokinetic data associated with a severe cocaine intoxication in a body packer, resulting in cardiac arrest. Massive concentrations of cocaine (observed maximal concentration: 1.66 mg/L, 1 hour after the cardiac arrest) were measured in plasma up to about 15 hours, suggesting a prolonged absorption due to a slow-release in the gastrointestinal tract despite surgical extraction of the packets. Apparent cocaine elimination half-life was 7.6 hours. Conclusion: A prolonged apparent cocaine elimination half-life has been observed. Further pharmacokinetic studies are needed to understand better the pathophysiology of acute cocaine intoxication in body packers.

Language: en