Cocaine

General 7: What happens in the liver?

The cocaine molecules enter the liver cells from the adjacent capillaries. They are broken down by enzymes in the cells. One hour after cocaine has been taken, half of the cocaïne molecules have been converted into metabolites.

If you take cocaine and drink alcohol at the same time, both of them will be processed in the liver. Through the action of enzymes, their breakdown products will combine to form a substance called cocaethylene. Cocaethylene stays in the blood longer. As a result, dangerous effects of cocaine use such as extremely high blood pressure and increased heart attack risk will persist for a longer period.