Health officials have stepped up their efforts to call attention to health risks caused by cocaine laced with levamisole, a veterinary anti-parasitic drug. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has issued a nationwide health alert to medical professionals, substance abuse treatment centers and other public health authorities.
In humans, levamisole can cause agranulocytosis, a serious, sometimes fatal blood disorder. Ingesting cocaine mixed with levamisole can seriously reduce a person's white blood cells, suppressing immune function and the body's ability to fight off even minor infections, according to SAMHSA. People who use crack or powdered cocaine laced with levamisole can experience overwhelming, rapidly-developing, life-threatening infections, the agency said in a news release.Other serious side effects can also occur. If you use cocaine watch out for:
High fever, chills, or weakness.
Swollen glands,Painful sores (mouth, anal)
Infections that won't go away or gets worse very fast
Skin infections, abscesses
Thrush (white coating of the mouth, tongue, or throat)
Pneumonia (fever, cough, shortness of breath)
"SAMHSA and other public health authorities are working together to inform everyone of this serious potential public health risk and what measures are being taken to address it," said SAMHSA Acting Administrator Eric Broderick.
The number of reported cases of agranulocytosis due to tainted cocaine use is expected to increase as information about levamisole is disseminated through the medical community. Thus far, 20 known cases and two deaths have been confirmed.According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Columbia cocaine producers are lacing their product with the medication to give it an extra kick.