ALCOHOL AND COCAINE INTERACTIONS IN HUMANS

The effects of 100 mg of intranasal cocaine (COC) in acute alcohol int oxication (1 g/kg) was assessed in nine experienced and non-dependent healthy volunteers in a double-blind, controlled, randomized, cross-ov er clinical trial. Alcohol alone impaired psychomotor performance, whe reas COC alone produced subjective effects related to euphoria and wel l-being, improved the reaction time and increased heart rate and blood pressure. The combination of COC and alcohol induced a nonsignificant decrease in the subjective feelings of drunkenness, an increase in CO C-induced euphoria, a significant improvement in alcohol-related chang es in psychomotor performance and a marked increase in heart rate. Sub jects experienced subjective and performance effects that could be sel f-interpreted as more pleasant compared to the effects of alcohol alon e. When alcohol was given simultaneously, COC plasma levels were highe r (possibly as a result of an inhibition of hepatic metabolism of COC produced by alcohol), norcocaine plasma levels almost doubled and coca ethylene was detected in plasma, so that its basic pharmacokinetic pro file could be described. The simultaneous use of both drugs produced c hanges in heart rate and blood pressure that could increase the risk o f cardiovascular toxicity associated with the use of COC.