This compound causes severe vasoconstriction and is highly arythmogenic. Cocaine in the form of its salts is water soluble. Cocaine free base is not water soluble, but it is much more volatile than the salt. Peak cocaine blood levels and effects occur 5 minutes after smoking crack or free based cocaine and 20-60 minutes after nasal insufflation. When it is administerd IV, it reaches peak plasma levels within five minutes.
Cocaine is absorbed from all sites of application.
After absorption it is degraded by plasma esterases, and in some animals, by hepatic enzymes. Small amounts are excreted unchanged in the urine. The main cocaine metabolite, benzoylecgonine, is usually detectable in urine for up to 3 days, but traces of this metabolite may persist for up to 15-22 days. Peak plasma levels of amphetamines after oral administration are achieved in 1-3 hours. Cocaine blocks dopamine uptake into its presynaptic nerve terminal.