Cocaine is an alkaloid derivative refined from coca leaves. Coca leaves grow on Erythroxylum Coca, a plant commonly found in South America.
There are different ways that medical professionals may use cocaine during procedures or in the treatment of certain conditions.
Anesthetic
Cocaine is an excellent topical anesthetic. In fact, The American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery considers cocaine to be a valuable anesthetic and vasoconstricting agent when used as part of the treatment of a patient by a physician. In fact, the group states that “no other single drug combines the anesthetic and vasoconstricting properties of cocaine.” 1
The fact that cocaine has anesthetic properties is unsurprising since cocaine and lidocaine are chemical cousins, and lidocaine is used as an anesthetic during dental procedures.
