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cocaine
- Subject Category
- W Physical and Chemical Sciences
- Definition
- An alkaloid ester extracted from the leaves of plants including coca. It is a local anesthetic and vasoconstrictor and is clinically used for that purpose, particularly in the eye, ear, nose, and throat. It also has powerful central nervous system effects similar to the amphetamines and is a drug of abuse. Cocaine, like amphetamines, acts by multiple mechanisms on brain catecholaminergic neurons; the mechanism of its reinforcing effects is thought to involve inhibition of dopamine uptake.
- Definition Source
- Medical Subject Headings 2018
- RDF/XML Format:
- http://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/27401.rdf
- Persistent URI:
- http://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/27401
- Used For
- cocaine HCl
- cocaine hydrochloride
- Broader Term
- tropane alkaloids
- Related Term
- Erythroxylum coca var. coca
- heroin
- illicit drugs
- Spanish
- cocaína
- Term Number
- 27401