Hospital Virtual Tour

Stroke related to cocaine use - Treatment

Treatment:

Treatment may include not just the stroke, but also other disorders that may occur from cocaine use.

Possible treatments:

Amantadine to reduce the risk of taking drugs again
Dopamine agonist medications for cocaine withdrawal
Drugs to treat irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Sedatives such as diazepam and midazolam to reduce agitation and sleeping difficulties (insomnia)

A person who is in a coma may need life support, including tubes in the airway and a breathing machine (mechanical ventilation).

It is important to stop using cocaine. Treat cocaine addiction and any other addictions. Treatment should include monitoring for signs of cocaine withdrawal.

Because most people who are addicted to cocaine are also addicted to other drugs (such as alcohol or heroin), withdrawal symptoms from these drugs should also be treated. Patients who are taking methadone for heroin addiction should continue to receive their regular dose.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome depends on:

Any other health conditions
The severity of the stroke
Withdrawal symptoms

The outcome is often poor, especially with long-term cocaine use. It is possible to die if many body systems stop functioning properly.

Complications:

See stroke for a list of complications.

Calling your health care provider:

Go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have any symptoms of stroke.

Central nervous system

Reviewed last on: 2/13/2008
Luc Jasmin, MD, PhD, Departments of Anatomy & Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Egred M, Davis GK. Cocaine and the heart. Postgrad Med J. 2005;81(959):568-571.

Velasquez EM, Anand RC, Newman WP 3rd, Richard SS, Glancy DL. Cardiovascular complications associated with cocaine use. J La State Med Soc. 2004;156(6):302-310.

Lucas CE. The impact of street drugs on trauma care. J Trauma. 2005;59(3):S57-S60.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)