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crack cocaine |
Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Legal, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson | 0.03 sec. |
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crack cocaine. See cocaine hydrochloride, crack. Crack Cocaine A ‘free-base’ form of cocaine, prepared by sodium bicarbonate extraction of cocaine-HCl, resulting in inexpensive yellowish crystals which, when smoked in a pipe, produce a brief, very intense ‘high’ cocaine [ko-kān´] an alkaloid obtained from the leaves of various species of Erythroxylon (coca plants) or produced synthetically; used as a topical anesthetic for surgery of mucous membranes. Abuse of cocaine by inhalation through the nose (“snorting”) is a serious health problem. Chronic users develop ulceration of the nasal mucosa that can eventually lead to perforation of the septum. Its systemic toxic effects are related to its sympathomimetic characteristics, including vasoconstriction, tachycardia, and hypertension. Cardiac dysrhythmias and high fever have caused serious consequences and even death in some cocaine users. crack cocaine a smokable form of cocaine prepared for illicit use, characterized by rapid absorption and onset of euphoric effects.
crack cocaine, n a street drug made by chemically converting cocaine hydrochloride to a form that can be smoked. Smoking crack is a faster, more direct way of getting cocaine into the brain. The narcotic effect of smoking crack cocaine is faster and more intense than it is when injected, inhaled, or ingested. No medical application exists for crack cocaine. See cocaine. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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