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Cocaine may cause another negative side effect

By Staff Writer

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, cocaine use is linked to negative side effects such as increased heart rate, body temperature and blood pressure as well as heart attacks, respiratory failure, abdominal pain, seizures and strokes. However, researchers from the University of Rochester said the drug can also lead to the condition known as purpura.

Researchers believe that this condition occurs when individuals use cocaine that is contaminated with levamisole, a de-worming drug commonly given to animals. In 2009, this product was found in about 70 percent of cocaine samples.

Individuals who have purpura have painful areas of crusty, purple-colored skin that can often lead to infections.

Purpura is caused when vessels get clogged and blood can no longer flow to the skin. This causes the skin in the affected area to die, which creates the purplish look of the condition. Currently, researchers know the cocaine use can also construct blood vessels, but they are unsure of how levamisole affects this process.

Teens who feel that they need help combating a cocaine addiction may want to consider enrolling in therapeutic schools.

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