Propranolol in the Treatment of Cardiopressor Effects of Cocaine

Abstract

To the Editor: In providing medical care for outdoor rock-music concerts, we have noted large numbers of young people with a current history of having "over-amped" on cocaine. These patients are noted to exhibit rather profound sympathetic overstimulation (with hypertension and tachycardia averaging 30 per cent, but sometimes up to 100 per cent above the expected norm). They are further often noted to be quite anxious, paranoid or rationally disoriented, with what appears to be a true dopaminergic crisis.¹ Initially, we determined that the benzodiazepines, notably diazepam (Valium), in doses of 10 to 30 mg, either intramuscularly or intravenously, . . .