Date: July 24th, 2014 10:31 AM
Author: Passionate Address
Ther Drug Monit. 1996 Aug;18(4):460-4.
Alcohol plus cocaine: the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
Jatlow P1, McCance EF, Bradberry CW, Elsworth JD, Taylor JR, Roth RH.
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Abstract
Cocaethylene, an active metabolite that arises through hepatic transesterification of cocaine when cocaine and ethanol are used together, shares many neurochemical and pharmacological properties with cocaine. Cocaethylene is similar to cocaine in its properties as an indirect dopamine agonist, and human subjects cannot distinguish its effects from those of cocaine. Cocaethylene, and especially its isopropyl analog, are more selective indirect dopamine agonists than cocaine, with relatively weak potency at the serotonin transporter. Cocaethylene may contribute to the manifestations and consequences of combined cocaine and ethanol use, although its relative importance remains unclear.
(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=2626821&forum_id=2#25992937)