Clinical toxicology : the official journal of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists
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Clin Toxicol (Phila) · Apr 2012
ReviewLevamisole in cocaine: unexpected news from an old acquaintance.
Levamisole is a pharmaceutical with anthelminthic and immunomodulatory properties that was previously used in both animals and humans to treat inflammatory conditions and cancer. Levamisole has been identified as a cocaine adulterant in the United States since 2003. By 2009, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) estimated that 69% of the cocaine seized contained levamisole. ⋯ These potential effects make levamisole an interesting choice as a cocaine adulterant. It seems unlikely that levamisole use as a cocaine adulterant will soon reach an end. More information is needed about the diagnosis and treatment of levamisole-induced complications, and the efforts of the medical and public health community is needed to face this challenging problem.