Published: Journal of Analytical Toxicology, ISSN 0146-4760, Volume 24, Number 7, October, pp. 458-466

Here is where the title stuff goes

Cocaine and Metabolite Elimination Patterns in Chronic Cocaine Users During Cessation: Plasma and Saliva Analysis

Eric T. Moolchan, Edward J. Cone, Abraham Wstadik, Marilyn A. Huestis, and Kenzie L. Preston
Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Research Branch, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, 5500 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, Maryland 21224

Several reports suggest a prolonged elimination of cocaine and metabolites after chronic use compared with single or occasional use. This study was designed to measure the half-lives of cocaine in plasma and saliva of individuals who consumed cocaine on a frequent basis. The disposition and elimination patterns of cocaine and metabolites in the body fluids of chronic high-dose cocaine users during acute cessation of use were investigated. Plasma and saliva specimens were collected over a 12-h period during cessation and analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were derived by noncompartmental analysis of plasma and saliva data. Results indicated a cocaine terminal T1Ú2 of 3.8 h in plasma and 7.9 h in saliva. The terminal T1Ú2 of benzoylecgonine was 6.6 h in plasma and 9.2 h in saliva. Compared with prior studies of acute low-dose cocaine administration, these findings suggest that cocaine’s half-life is longer in active street users than in occasional users though the half-life of its main metabolite benzoylecgonine remains similar (as do cocaine saliva-to-plasma ratios). Thus, regular use of cocaine appears to alter the disposition and elimination of cocaine when compared to single or occasional use.

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