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How Long Does Cocaine Stay In The Body?

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Posted on Wed, 15 Mar 2017
Question: I have surgery next Tuesday, I'm have a hernia. I have used cocaine heavily but just stopped as of today. How will this effect me, will a week clean be enough to be placed under anesthesia
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

I looked up what I could find on the effects of cocaine and anesthesia.

Cocaine, if used heavily, can stay in the body for up to 12 days. However, most of the acute effects on the heart (seen on an EKG) by that point are over. So if you are totally clean for a week, it should be ok to have anesthesia.

Here is a study about cocaine and general anesthesia. It won't show up as a blue link (I don't think) so you will have to copy and paste it into your address bar to read it.

https://academic.oup.com/bja/article/97/5/654/321277/General-anaesthesia-for-the-cocaine-abusing

Do try to stay away from cocaine after the surgery as well, as the effects of constricting blood vessels may cause delayed wound healing.

As you know, once you get used to using cocaine, it's hard to stay away from it. If you need help doing so, you might want to talk with your doctor ahead of time, or contact a drug treatment center for help.

I hope this information helps.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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How Long Does Cocaine Stay In The Body?

Brief Answer: Information Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXXXX I looked up what I could find on the effects of cocaine and anesthesia. Cocaine, if used heavily, can stay in the body for up to 12 days. However, most of the acute effects on the heart (seen on an EKG) by that point are over. So if you are totally clean for a week, it should be ok to have anesthesia. Here is a study about cocaine and general anesthesia. It won't show up as a blue link (I don't think) so you will have to copy and paste it into your address bar to read it. https://academic.oup.com/bja/article/97/5/654/321277/General-anaesthesia-for-the-cocaine-abusing Do try to stay away from cocaine after the surgery as well, as the effects of constricting blood vessels may cause delayed wound healing. As you know, once you get used to using cocaine, it's hard to stay away from it. If you need help doing so, you might want to talk with your doctor ahead of time, or contact a drug treatment center for help. I hope this information helps.